Houston's acting fire chief has fired three firefighters, saying each was culpable in an incident in which a racial epithet was entered on an EMS report using an ambulance computer terminal.
The head of the firefighters union called the firings a "travesty" and said the department failed to determine who actually was responsible.
Sept. 08--WESTBROOK -- Two female members of the Westbrook Fire and Rescue Department who sued the city for failing to address complaints of sexual harassment would get a combined settlement of about $846,000 under agreements reached with city officials.
Lisa Theberge and Kathy Rogers, who filed a harassment complaint about two years ago and sued the city in 2009, have agreed to drop the lawsuit in exchange for a settlement that includes back pay, damages and attorney fees.
Sept. 08--SPRING HILL -- There was drinking, shirt pulling and mugging for the cameras; and it all took place at a fire station and at a house party attended by firefighters.
The photos were posted on Facebook.
There were three dozen photographs submitted by an offended resident during Wednesday's public meeting of the Spring Hill Board of Fire Commissioners.
Fire Chief Mike Rampino vowed to start an internal investigation.
A volunteer firefighter in Rock County has been arrested on suspicion of making false 911 calls.
The Rock County Sheriff's department said Dustin Bentivegna was arrested Saturday on misdemeanor charges of making four false 911 calls within a two-week period. Officials said the calls were all concerning a gas odor.
Bentivegna is a new employee and still in training. He was booked and released from jail, authorities said.
A couple siphoning gas from a Salvation Army van caught fire when it suddenly erupted in flames in Washington state.
A witness told police two people were trying to siphon gas Wednesday night in a Tacoma church parking lot. As the witness approached and startled the suspects, the fire broke out.
Police spokesman Mark Fulghum (FUL'-jum) told The News Tribune both suspects, the van and a nearby vehicle caught fire. The man was able to put out his own flames and fled before police arrived.
