VIDEO: There was outrage in court in Rockland County where a father and son avoided prison time for starting a fire that killed a firefighter and a man at a nursing home.
Dozens of firefighters protested outside the Rockland County Court House in New City and emotional victim impact statements were read in court.
While a plea deal was agreed upon in June, Wednesday was the formal sentencing for 71-year-old Rabbi Nathaniel Sommer and his 29-year-old son Aaron after pleading guilty for causing the March 2021 fatal fire that killed Spring Valley Firefighter Jared Lloyd.
A resident of the home, 79-year-old Oliver Hueston, was also killed.
In a plea deal with the Rockland District Attorney's Office that was approved by Judge Kevin Russo, the father and son will not serve jail or prison time, but will pay $600 in court fees.
WABC-TV ABC 7 New York
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In the chaos after a Norfolk Southern train careened off the tracks and caught fire in eastern Ohio in February, it took roughly 45 minutes for firefighters to learn exactly which chemicals were involved.
Now the railroad industry is trying to ensure that never happens again. Ever since that Feb. 3 derailment prompted concerns about rail safety nationwide, the major railroads have redoubled their efforts to make sure that more and more first responders can immediately look up the contents of any freight train.
This week, the two counties that handled the initial response to the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border were set up with the AskRail program that will allow dispatchers to look up everything a train is carrying as soon as they get one car number.
WTAE-TV ABC 4 Pittsburgh
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VIDEO: The Los Angeles Fire Department is asking for the public’s input as they revisit their “firefighter tattoo policy,” officials announced on social media Thursday.
“We would love to hear your input, to help us factor in the views of the public we serve,” the post read. “Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts on tattoos on your firefighters.”
The department’s current policy was established in May 2008 and sets strict guidelines on the display of tattoos, scarifications or brandings that firefighters may have. “All sworn members, while on-duty, shall not display any tattoos, scarifications, and/or brandings,” the policy states.
KTLA-TV CW 5 Los Angeles
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Amazon is making it easier to get emergency help without your phone. The retail giant announced a new Alexa Emergency Assist service as part of its September product event on Wednesday. The service will allow customers to reach emergency responders through Echo devices while also sending alerts to emergency contacts. The service will cost $6 a month or $59 a year and will be available later this year. Guard Plus customers can access the Alexa Emergency Assist for $5 per month or $50 per year.
In an emergency, users can just say, "Alexa, call for help," to be connected to an agent, who will then request emergency services from the police, fire department or an ambulance, based on the information they provide during the call.
CNET
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VIDEO: Some of the firefighters responding to calls on Chicago's South Side are a long way away from home.
In fact, they traveled thousands of miles just to be here.
CBS 2's Noel Brennan introduces us to the German firefighters who've joined the Chicago Fire Department for a couple of weeks.
In Chicago, a firehouse and good food go hand in hand.
"Every day, eating here is basically like eating at a restaurant, so it's always pretty good," said Philip Gramberg. The young firefighter loaded his plate full of sausage and sautéed green peppers inside a CFD fire station in Englewood.
"I think we should send our chefs over here," Gramberg joked. "Get some training in."
Gramberg was taking notes for his home department.
WBBM-TV CBS 2 Chicago
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