4 teens injured in St. Petersburg lightning strike while standing under tree

Four teens were injured Thursday when lightning struck while they standing under a tree in downtown St. Petersburg, according to the fire rescue. First responders arrived around 5:45 p.m. to downtown St. Petersburg, where they began life-saving measures for two teens under a banyan tree. While they were providing help, two other teens went up to the first responders to say they had also been under the tree when the lightning struck. The fire rescue said there were two boys, 16 and 17, and two girls, both 16. Officials initially said one of the injured people was a woman in her 20s. A girl was in cardiac arrest and was taken to the Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital as a trauma alert. A boy was also taken to that same hospital, where he is in stable condition. Two others, a girl and boy, were taken to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.
WKMG-TV CBS 6 Orlando

Escambia County EMS unveils Blue Angels-themed ambulances

PHOTO: Escambia County EMS is showing off their new ambulances and they have a different look. Four new ambulances are now wrapped with a Blue Angels theme. The county says the design was developed by an employee and retrofitted by a company to be applied to the ambulances' shape and model. "Being here in Escambia County and Pensacola, the Blue Angels are a pride and joy of this area," Training Supervisor Houston Harvell said. "So anytime we will pull from them to reemphasize what this area is about." They had the new designs put on right before Red, White, and Blues weekend.
WEAR-TV ABC 3 Pensacola

Family of 3 displaced after structure fire in Lee County

VIDEO: A peaceful night for a Lee County family turned into a night of destruction after fire crews reported that a lithium-ion Tesla battery started a fire. "No time to do anything, just grabbed my wife, my father in law, my little chihuahua, and just go outside," said Jose Valentine. Jose will never forget Wednesday night; before going to bed, his wife and father-in-law were in his garage just minutes before a lithium battery for a Telsa exploded. Firefighters responded to his Westminster Drive home, putting out the fire. Valentine said all his family could do was watch decades of memories fade away. "I think it’s just watching them lose everything is really hard," said Shannon Rebelas. "Police and firemen were busy doing what they do, but they were just standing here and there was nothing they could do."
WBBH-TV NBC 2 Fort Myers

Miami-Dade County agencies showcase emergency response capabilities at PortMiami

VIDEO: Miami-Dade Police, Fire Rescue, and U.S. Customs conducted a planned demonstration at PortMiami on Wednesday, showcasing their response to an active threat in Biscayne Bay. The event was part of the 2024 National Homeland Security Conference held on Miami Beach. The exercise featured a simulated active threat response, complete with explosions, gunfire, and a helicopter chase to test the communication, coordination, and tactical skills of multiple agencies. Special Response Teams demonstrated their land, water, and air capabilities. During the demonstration, a Miami-Dade County Police helicopter flew over spectators, which simulated a coordinated response to an active threat in Biscayne Bay.
WSVN-TV FOX 7 Miami

Palm Beach County firefighters battle truck fire on I-95 South near Lake Worth Beach

VIDEO: A truck caught on fire on I-95 southbound near Lake Worth Beach on Wednesday. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue (PBCFR) said units were sent to a vehicle fire on I-95 South, just north of 6th Avenue at around 2:30 p.m. Fire Rescue said at the scene, units saw a work truck that had smoke coming from underneath it. Video taken by a CBS12 News viewer shows the plumes of smoke spreading across the highway. Luckily, PBCFR said there were no injuries from this incident, and the fire was put out within five minutes.
WPEC-TV CBS 12 West Palm Beach

Celebrate 80 years of Smokey Bear in Ocala

Growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, Smokey Bear was an icon that commanded our full attention when he said, “Only you can prevent forest fires.” While that message has changed slightly, the impact of Smokey’s words can still be felt. We recently had the opportunity to speak with Ludie Bond, wildfire mitigation specialist and public information officer with the Florida Forest Service (FFS). She brought a friend with her, too; that legendary wildfire-preventing bear. Bond has been with the FFS for more than 20 years. She has her undergraduate degree in public relations. She initially started her career in that field. After making friends with some folks in the FFS, she decided to pursue public relations in forestry. “I just love it,” she said. “A huge part of my job is communicating with varying audiences and the media about fire, both wildfire and prescribed fire. So, I’m very passionate about my job and I just really enjoy it.”
WNDD-FM 92.5 Alachua