FireRescue1 Top Stories

Va. county bans FD from responding to calls, citing ‘operational deficiencies’
Greene County, Va., shut down the Ruckersville Volunteer Fire Company, citing operational deficiencies, and barred its crew from answering emergency calls. 

S.C. fire department tests '1323' shift to improve work-life balance
Charleston FD is piloting a 1-3-2-3 shift — 1 day on, 3 off, 2 on, 3 off — to boost firefighter rest and family time while keeping the 56-hour week.

FEMA to resume in-person training at National Fire Academy
FEMA reversed a months-long freeze after determining key courses were critical to local and national emergency response efforts

Iowa family sues city, first responders, EMS and medical directors after drug error
Relatives of James Foster Jr. say Sioux City paramedic gave rocuronium not ketamine, causing 2023 death; lawsuit names city, police, fire and EMS leaders

Fire apparatus backlog persists as shipments trail orders, FAMA finds
FAMA data shows 2024 shipments up 13% yet orders 45% above pre-pandemic levels, keeping fire-truck lead times long for departments.

Ky. firefighter died shielding wife during devastating tornado
Fire Major Roger Leatherman, Laurel County, Ky., was found covering his critically injured wife after an EF-3 tornado leveled their home May 17

'Jet fuel all over the place': Plane crash sets San Diego homes on fire
A small plane crashed into San Diego’s Murphy Canyon neighborhood, igniting about 15 homes and vehicles

Officials quiet on reason to ban Va. FD from responding to calls
Greene County officials shut down the Ruckersville Volunteer Fire Company amid an ongoing investigation into undisclosed claims

Conn. students arrested for TikTok 'Chromebook Challenge' fire
Two Southington High School students face arson charges for setting a Chromebook on fire, raising concerns about the viral TikTok trend’s growing risks in schools

Budget committee votes to eliminate LAFD battalion chief aide positions
The Los Angeles City Council’s budget committee voted to cut 42 Emergency Incident Technician positions from the fire department, a move opposed by interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva