Latest news with #SpringfieldFireDepartment
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Longtime volunteers to lead Springfield parade
The Springfield Fourth of July Committee has announced Jerome and Regina Oakes as the grand marshals for the 2025 Fourth of July Parade. According to a news release from the committee, Jerome Oakes and Regina Armstrong both grew up in the town of Springfield but the two had not met until July 4, 1976 at Springfield's bicentennial celebration of America's Declaration of Independence. In 1980, they were wed at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Springfield Center. According to the couple, they have always been happy to remain in Springfield, "a place they consider beautiful and peaceful, and where they have both found satisfaction in service to their community," the release stated. Jerome Oakes is a veteran of the Vietnam War and recipient of a Purple Heart medal and other awards of distinction. He is a member of the Richfield Springs American Legion, the Cooperstown VFW and the Utica DAV. An active Boy Scout in his youth, Jerome achieved the rank of Star Scout and was a member of the Order of the Arrow and the Explorers. When the Oakes' twin boys were young, Jerome assisted the Cub Scout troop and coached Little League and T-ball teams. He has been a volunteer fireman in the Springfield Fire Department for 54 years and served as an EMS volunteer for nine years, according to the release. He is the superintendent of Springfield Cemetery, where he is responsible for managing burials, repairing and leveling headstones, excavating cremation plots, selling plots, and assisting with funeral arrangements. He places flags on the graves of veterans for Memorial Day, a service he extends to nearby cemeteries, the release stated. He also serves as custodian at the Springfield Community Center and traditionally carries the flag for the Springfield Fire Department's marching unit in the Fourth of July Parade, "as well as fulfilling many other supportive roles around the event," according to the release. Regina Oakes had a 47-year career at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. As a certified pharmacy technician, she primarily worked at the Cancer Center. Shortly after retiring, she returned to assist during the COVID pandemic, according to the release. For several summers, after completing shifts at the hospital, Regina spent her evenings working at the Cooperstown Dreams Park. She currently serves as an elected member of the Springfield Town Council, bringing almost 16 years of experience to the council, the release stated. She can often be found at the Springfield Community Center overseeing events and leading senior exercise programs and community pickleball, or at the Springfield Landing, where she manages boat slips and park passes. She spearheaded the clean-up and restoration of the old school cafeteria at the community center and launched the Springfield Community Kitchen in the fall of 2023, the release stated. The luncheons held at the center are planned, cooked and served by Regina, assisted by a staff of volunteers. The program is completely supported by community donations. Regina has been an active member of the Springfield Fire Department Auxiliary for 13 years. She also organizes the Springfield Fourth of July Committee's chicken barbecue. "The committee is pleased to honor their dedication and celebrate their positive impact on the community during this year's parade," the release stated. The parade will commence its 111th year at 11 a.m. Friday, July 4 in the hamlet of Springfield Center. This year's parade theme celebrates "We the People." The parade will end at the Springfield Community Center, where a celebration will be held. The festivities will feature music by the Camden Continentals Fife and Drum Corps and the Cooperstown Community Band, Brooks' chicken barbecue, homemade pie, the Springfield Historical Society Open House, children's games, raffles and more. Free parade parking is available at the community center. An evening concert and fireworks display will take place at Glimmerglass State Park, with music by local rock band Scattered Flurries starting at 7:30 p.m. , to be followed by fireworks at dusk. At 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 6, the Glimmerglass Festival will present the 2025 Springfield Appreciation Concert, featuring musical selections from the festival's upcoming 50th anniversary season. Tickets for the concert ($5 each) and Springfield Fourth of July T-shirts ($15 each) are available at Convenience Corner, at the intersection of state Route 80 and U.S. Route 20 in Springfield Center. All proceeds support Springfield's Fourth of July events. For more information, look for the Springfield 4th of July Parade and Celebration on Facebook, email or call (315)858-0304.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Springfield Fire Deptartment adds 16 new firefighters after training
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Springfield Fire Department (SFD) says the 16 firefighters in its most recent fire academy class have earned their black helmets, making them full-fledged members of the fire department. The firefighters previously wore blue helmets as probationary members of the SFD while they completed their year-long probation as part of Fire Academy Class 524. 'Earning the black helmet is no small achievement,' said Fire Chief David Pennington. 'Each of these firefighters has proven they're prepared to serve our community with courage, professionalism and a commitment to excellence.' Mayor Jeff Schrag delivers first State of the City Address Here are the 16 new SFD firefighters from Class 124: Firefighter Sean Conrad Firefighter Dakota Curnutt Firefighter Trenton Curry Firefighter Gage Curtis Firefighter Owen Fabro Firefighter Andrew Gall Firefighter Gabrianna Gardner Firefighter Trenton Herr Firefighter Corey Hodzic Firefighter Grant McNeill Firefighter Cash Miller Firefighter Kaden Olson Firefighter Brenna Ruyle Firefighter Draven Stapp Firefighter Zachary Stark Firefighter Jason Wassie To learn more about the SFD or how to become a firefighter, visit the Springfield Fire website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Springfield crews work to put out fire on Birch Street
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Springfield crews worked to put out a fire on Birch Street Tuesday evening. Chicopee woman charged with arson following Belcher Street fire According to Springfield Fire Captain Drew Piemonte, crews were called to 35 Birch Street Tuesday evening for reports of a fire at a family home. When 22News crews arrived around 6:45 p.m., multiple crews were working to put out the house fire, as well as a shed with heavy damage from the flames. 22News has reached out to the Springfield Fire Department for more information and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Southwest Missouri Regional Fire Academy to honor new graduates
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Firefighter recruits of the Southwest Missouri Regional Fire Academy will be graduating on Thursday, May 22. The Springfield Fire Department has announced the regional fire academy will be celebrating their latest recruits at 6 p.m. on Thursday at Park Crest Baptist Church in Springfield. The department says that 21 recruits will graduate during the event. Kum & Go sued for damages in Springfield shooting The recruits had to complete a several monthlong training program at the Springfield Fire Department's Fire Academy, which is part of a collaborative extension of the Department of Labor-registered Pre-apprenticeship Program. Recruits also had to finish an emergency medical technician (EMT) training through a partnership with CoxHealth. Several of the upcoming gradates have already been offered full-time positions with numerous fire departments in the Springfield area. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
No one hurt after van hits Springfield fire station
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — No one is hurt after a car crashed into a Springfield fire station on Sunday. The station that was hit was Fire Station 12, located near the intersection of Hedley and Koke Mill Roads. Matt Wood, the Springfield Fire Department's Deputy Chief of Operations, told WCIA the station was hit by a van. UPDATE: Coroner identifies Florida couple killed in I-57 crash in Neoga Wood believed the crash was caused by a faulty gas or brake pedal. No firefighters were hurt, and the driver, an elderly woman was also uninjured but was taken to an area hospital as a precaution. City workers boarded up the damaged part of the fire station overnight, Wood said, and the city has started the process of accepting bids to fix the damage. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
