Latest news with #firestations
CTV News
07-08-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Minn. fire stations turn to saunas to help firefighters recover
Watch Five Minneapolis fire stations have added saunas to help reduce firefighters' exposure to cancer-causing toxins.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Need to get rid of those July 4th fireworks? How to safely dispose of them in Louisiana
Friday marks the July 4th holiday, meaning that soon individuals will be setting off fireworks and communities will be hosting firework shows. The tradition of lighting fireworks on July 4th in the U.S. stems from the very first organized celebrations of Independence Day in 1777. If you plan to take part in this long-time tradition, then make sure you know how to properly dispose of your Fourth of July fireworks. Unused fireworks, or "dud" fireworks, should be treated the same way as used ones, as they can still be dangerous even after use and should be handled with caution. In order to safely dispose of both used and unused fireworks, they should be submerged in a bucket of water and left to soak until thoroughly saturated. Then, the fireworks should be put into a resealable plastic bag to help maintain moisture, says Homewood Disposal Service. Fireworks are not considered hazardous household waste, therefore, they can be placed in garbage containers for removal. However, fireworks should not be placed in recycling or yard waste containers. Additionally, you can also contact your local fire station to see if they have a collection available for unused fireworks. If you find yourself with leftover, unused fireworks, they should be stored in a dry, cool place away from electrical appliances, heat sources and flammable materials. Ideally, fireworks should be kept in their original packaging or a fireproof container, in a locked shed or storage container, says Universal Storage Group. Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@ This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: How should I dispose of July 4th fireworks? What to do in Louisiana
The Guardian
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Fire stations in England ‘falling apart' amid £1bn funding cut, chiefs say
Fire stations in England are 'falling apart', fire chiefs have warned, with funding plummeting by an estimated £1bn in the last decade as callouts have increased by a fifth. Fire and rescue must not become the 'forgotten emergency service', the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) urged, warning of mounting pressures that 'risk undermining public and firefighter safety', as it responds to more 999 calls with fewer firefighters. The call comes before the government's spending review next week, in which the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has promised to support the NHS and increase defence budgets. Fire services have not been mentioned, leading to concern that they will be forgotten, according to the NFCC, which represents the heads of fire services across the UK. Firefighter numbers in England have dropped by a quarter in seven years, the equivalent of 11,000 full-time staff, according to the government's workforce statistics. There has also been an estimated £1bn shortfall in capital funding since the previous government removed a significant grant in 2014-15, which the NFCC said meant services could not maintain or modernise ageing infrastructure, including fire stations. Failing to reverse this damage could endanger the public and firefighters, said Phil Garrigan, the NFCC chair. The inquest into the deaths of two firefighters and a member of the public in a blaze in Oxfordshire opened on Tuesday. The firefighters, Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38, are thought to have died when a structure collapsed on them at a Bicester business park during a large fire on 15 May. Two other firefighters are still in hospital. The financial challenges are being tackled at the same time as demand for fire and rescue services in England is growing. Government figures show officers responded to 600,185 incidents in the year up to December 2024, a 20% increase compared with a decade ago. While the number of fires has fallen by 11%, non-fire callouts have increased by 65%, data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) shows. In 2022, the services dealt with a record number of wildfires but 2025 appears likely to beat that, with 225 wildfires tackled so far, compared with 106 over the same period in 2022. Garrigan said: 'These figures are unequivocal: fire and rescue services are busier now than they were 10 years ago, and we are taking on more responsibility, not less. The risks faced are now more challenging and more complex. Despite this fact, we are seeing firefighter numbers falling, whereas all other public services are seeing their numbers return to pre-austerity levels.' He said firefighters' work was 'crucial in maintaining public safety and we welcome the opportunity to make a real difference but, if it is to be sustained against a backdrop of increasing demand, we need to see investment back into the fire and rescue service'. He added: 'If we leave fire and rescue services without proper financial support and investment, we risk undermining public and firefighter safety. When it comes to wildfires, flooding and terrorism, fire and rescue services are right at the heart of the response. If we fail to invest, then we need to be prepared to answer to the communities that rely on these services in their greatest time of need.' Earlier this year, the NFCC called on ministers to take urgent action to protect communities from the effects of climate breakdown, saying the UK was not prepared. The organisation said fire services' ability to tackle weather-related emergencies was at risk, despite them often being the main frontline response to major weather events including flooding, fires caused by heatwaves, and storm-related emergencies, all of which are becoming more frequent. An MHCLG spokesperson said: 'We understand the challenges that fire services are facing, and despite the inheritance this government has been left with, we are determined to deliver better public services through our plan for change. 'Fire and rescue authorities have received almost £3bn in the last financial year to support our brave firefighters and help them protect our communities.'
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oakland Fire to operate all fire stations for first time in 20 years
The Brief City leaders say the sale of the Oakland Coliseum has made it possible to temporarily open all of Oakland's fire stations. It's the first time in 20 years all 25 fire stations have been open. The 25 stations will remain open through the end of the fiscal year, which is June 30. OAKLAND, Calif. - For the first time in more than two decades, every firehouse in Oakland will be open, making sure every corner of the city is fully covered in time for the start of wildfire season. How It Happened City leaders told KTVU the Oakland Coliseum sale made this happen. Interim Mayor Kevin Jenkins said the Joint Powers Authority, or JPA, which financially partners the city with Alameda County, and the sale of the Coliseum, is responsible for $2.5 million needed to open all 25 of the fire stations temporarily. The backstory Stations 28 and 25 in the Oakland hills, as well as Station 10 near Grand Lake were shut down, leaving neighboring fire companies to take on the workload. "They've done a lot of additional work, a lot of additional calls to make sure our residents are well taken care of even during the brownouts," said Fire Chief Damon Covington. "At Station 25, less than 8 hours after it was closed on January 6, there was a call for CPR nearly as far as I could throw a rock from here," said Seth Olyer, the president of the firefighters union Local 55. In mid-January, just down the street from Station 28 in Chabot Park, a house fire erupted and firefighters were delayed in arriving. During the Keller Fire last October, when resources were well-aligned, it was the opposite impact. "It made the difference between that fire not only growing larger and larger but saving dozens of lives and tens of millions of dollars in property," said Olyer. By the numbers The national standard for response times is four minutes or fewer, 90% of the time. "We've missed those quite a bit because of these closures," Olyer said, "But I'm hopeful for the future." Chief Covington also noted the fire department is well-prepared for wildfire season thanks to the passing of Measure MM, which provides more funding for vegetation management. Stations 28 and 25 will be open starting Sunday. Station 10, which has been closed due to renovations, will reopen after those renovations are complete in the next couple of weeks. What's next All 25 stations will stay open until the end of the fiscal year, which is June 30. The council decides what happens after that. Mayor Jenkins recently submitted a budget proposal that will keep all but one station open for the next fiscal year.
