Meet Phoenix Fire Department’s Arson Detection Dog Sonny

It's a dog-eat-dog world when it comes to being re-certified as an arson detection dog. Take, for instance, Phoenix Fire Department's trusted arson dog, Sonny, who has been with the department for more than two years. The lovable Labrador retriever breezed through his certification course Wednesday, at a recertification event sponsored by State Farm Insurance, ensuring his otherworldly snout is still up for the task of detecting propellants and other suspicious fire-starters. Robby Simpson, who serves as a fire investigator for Phoenix Fire Department, is also tasked with training and keeping Sonny's senses up-to-snuff. Simpson said that Sonny, who immediately took to flopping across the nearest bit of shade available, is indeed a good boy in the truest sense.
Phoenix Patch

Two rescued, one airlifted, after rollover in Verde Villages

Verde Valley Fire District, with the assistance of Cottonwood Fire and Medical Department, Yavapai County Sheriff's Office and a Native Air medevac helicopter, responded to the report of a single-vehicle rollover with two patients in the area of Eastern Drive and Stetson Lane. Crews arrived to find the vehicle on its side with two female patients trapped inside, according to Verde Valley Fire District Battalion Dustin Chief Chambliss. The crews extricated the patients with one transported by ground to Verde Valley Medical Center and the other flown to Flagstaff Medical Center, Chambliss stated.
Camp Verde Journal

Arizona law change allows more time to give unharmed baby to safe haven

A law that is expected to take effect in July will provide more time for a person to give an unharmed baby to any safe haven location in Arizona. Gov. Doug Ducey on April 9 signed HB2410 into law, changing the time period from three days to 30 days for a person to not face criminal charges for giving up a newborn. Heather Burner, executive director of the National Safe Haven Alliance and director of the Arizona Safe Baby Haven Foundation, advocated for this change for several years. She believes the extra time will save the lives of infants that might otherwise have been abandoned. “This was a really important initiative for us because the importance for the parents to have this time to emotionally respond to the birth of their child and make an educated and supported decision,” Burner told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Wednesday.
KTAR-FM 92.3

How fast can brush burn? Golder Ranch Fire District stresses the importance of wildfire prevention

VIDEO: As temperatures increase, so does the risk for wildfires in our area. So, how critical is it to understand the importance of wildfire prevention? We didn't see the moisture this year we normally see, so if we don't want another Bighorn-type fire across our area, it's important to take note of a few things. "A spark... just one little single spark can cause many thousands of acres to be damaged," said Michael Stanley, a Mount Lemmon resident who lost his home during 2003's Aspen Fire. Fortunately, Michael was able to keep his home during last year's Bighorn Fire. "Brush fires scare us. Any kind of wild land fire scares us," said Stanley. So, to prevent that scare, Golder Ranch Fire District has some advice for you. "We don't want people to completely cut down every plant they have in their yard, but if it's dead, if it's low hanging, we want you to trim those up," said Adam Jarrold, the Public Information Officer for Golder Ranch Fire District.
KVOA-TV NBC 4 Tucson

House fire heroes take action in Peoria

VIDEO: Several people came to the rescue after a house caught fire in Peoria on Tuesday. "Hello, hello. Your house is on fire; get outside!” says Andrea Marquez, who was driving by. Marquez jumped out of her vehicle after seeing a cloud of smoke coming from a home near 99th and Olive avenues. She was on her way to drop her boys off at school. “Then a gentleman came running out of the side gate there, which he is the owner of the house, the dad. He was just yelling frantically like, ‘my child is in there, my daughter is in there,’” says Marquez. Marquez says the man had been burned. She quickly took action, knowing every second counts. “He was just yelling like, ‘come outside, come outside.’ So then, I immediately just ran right up into the walkway right here. When you walk in, she was just to the right sleeping and I scooped her up and we came out,” says Marquez.
KNXV-TV ABC 15 Phoenix

Plane lands on Pinnacle Peak Road in north Phoenix

PHOTOS: The Phoenix Fire Department said no one was injured after a small aircraft landed on Pinnacle Peak Road in north Phoenix on Tuesday. The plane landed upright and safely. 12 News spoke to the owner of the plane who said the plane was rented out to a pilot who was trying to build up flying hours. The owner said the plane had enough fuel for a two hour flight but the plane ran out of fuel when the pilot was on the way back to the airport. The owner said they're not awaiting word from the Federal Aviation Administration to see if they can take off from Pinnacle Peak Road or have to load the plane on the back of a flat bed truck. At the end of last month, at least three small aircrafts crashed in different parts of the state, resulting in multiple deaths.
KPNX-TV NBC 12 Phoenix

One hospitalized in Whetstone crash

PHOTO: A two-vehicle injury collision at the intersection of state routes 90 and 82 in Whetstone at 3:30 p.m. Monday closed northbound traffic on S.R. 90 for about an hour, according to the Department of Public Safety. Witnesses on scene said a Chevrolet Tahoe heading north on S.R. 90 failed to yield to a south-bound Dodge Challenger as it turned left (east) onto S.R. 82, causing a collision with substantial damage to the Challenger. The driver of the Challenger suffered serious injuries and was transported to Canyon Vista Medical Center by Whetstone Fire District, said Sam Foster, chief officer for Whetstone Fire. “We advised the driver of the Tahoe to be seen at the hospital, but she declined treatment,” Foster added. The Tahoe’s driver was handcuffed by DPS troopers and arrested on scene. Detoured vehicles drove through a Whetstone neighborhood west of the crash scene.
Sierra Vista Herald

RV fire shakes the Shooks near the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

PHOTO: Just before 2 p.m. Tuesday, a motor home fire near the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park turnoff closed Highway 87 for about an hour while firefighters worked to snuff the flames and keep it from running into the forest. Bob Shook was driving his 1999 American Eagle north on 87 with his two dogs. His wife Beverly followed in their pickup truck. The couple was headed to the Happy Jack Lodge to set up their motor home for the summer. “All of the sudden there was this big cloud of white smoke, I couldn’t see,” said Beverly. She put on her flashers and pulled over at the south end of Buckhead Mesa, where the highway turns into four lanes, thinking her husband would do the same. “I tried to call him but I couldn’t,” she said visibly shaken as she watched the motor home burn Tuesday. Bob stopped after the engine quit, initially unaware the RV was on fire. “I smelled gear oil,” he said.
Payson Roundup