INSIDER
Seminole County firefighters win grant to expand annual toy drive
Read full article: Seminole County firefighters win grant to expand annual toy driveGetting a fresh set of wheels is a wish many kids in Seminole County have this holiday season. That’s why dozens of Seminole County firefighters and their families are assembling around 120 bikes for their 8th annual Toy Drive.
‘We’re underpaid:’ Brevard County firefighters rally for higher wages
Read full article: ‘We’re underpaid:’ Brevard County firefighters rally for higher wagesDozens of firefighters and supporters gathered for a rally as contract negotiations picked back up between the firefighter's union and Brevard County.
No injuries reported after firefighters put out house fire in Daytona Beach
Read full article: No injuries reported after firefighters put out house fire in Daytona BeachFirefighters responded to a house fire Sunday morning in Daytona Beach, according to the Volusia County Professional Firefighters Association.
‘Staying Alive:’ Orange County students receive CPR hands-only training
Read full article: ‘Staying Alive:’ Orange County students receive CPR hands-only trainingNinth and 11th graders at Evans High School got the chance to get out of the classroom on Thursday and instead of hitting the books, they hit the floor.
New report recommends sweeping changes at Apopka Fire Department
Read full article: New report recommends sweeping changes at Apopka Fire DepartmentA new independent report recommends sweeping changes to safety protocols at the Apopka Fire Department in the wake of the death of Austin Duran last year.
First responders in crisis need your help: Here’s what you can do
Read full article: First responders in crisis need your help: Here’s what you can doFor many of us, we call first responders on our worst days. These days, they’re facing daunting tasks while dealing with staffing issues and high call volumes.
‘In their memory:’ Central Florida firefighters don gear, climb stairs in tribute to victims of 9/11 terror attacks
Read full article: ‘In their memory:’ Central Florida firefighters don gear, climb stairs in tribute to victims of 9/11 terror attacksFirefighters climbed 110 floors in downtown Orlando to represent the 110 floors inside the Twin Towers.
Seminole County firefighters shore up Longwood home after car crashes through front door
Read full article: Seminole County firefighters shore up Longwood home after car crashes through front doorA driver had to be extricated from their car Friday afternoon after crashing it into a Longwood home, according to the Seminole County Fire Department.
How do first responders prepare for disasters like Surfside collapse? Here’s a look at the training
Read full article: How do first responders prepare for disasters like Surfside collapse? Here’s a look at the trainingMore than 40 firefighters from Central Florida who are part of the Task Force 4 team deployed to assist in the search and rescue operations in Surfside.
‘Aggressive’ driver crashes head-on into firetruck in Volusia; 4 hurt
Read full article: ‘Aggressive’ driver crashes head-on into firetruck in Volusia; 4 hurtORMOND-BY-THE-SEA, Fla. – A driver was critically injured and three firefighters were taken to a hospital after an SUV collided head-on with a firetruck Monday afternoon in Ormond-by-the-Sea, the Florida Highway Patrol said. AdThe driver of the Tahoe was airlifted to Halifax Health Medical Center in critical condition, troopers said. Three firefighters were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, according to officials. “They were struck head-on, yet they were able to retrieve their equipment from the fire engine, extricate the other driver from his vehicle, and prepare him for transport to Halifax Health Medical Center. Jay Brantt, a maintenance worker at the apartment complex where the firetruck came to a rest, said it appeared the driver was drunk.
Orlando Fire Department opens new fire station designed to promote diversity
Read full article: Orlando Fire Department opens new fire station designed to promote diversityOrlando, Fla. – The city of Orlando opened a brand-new fire station in the Rosemont community on Monday. Station 9, known as “Outpost Nine,” is the new home to 30 firefighters on Center Loop off of Shader Road. The 12,000-foot building has private bunk rooms and restrooms for crews and it even includes a secure room for female firefighters. AdThe chief said the new fire station could serve as an example for other fire departments in the future. “We have had three other departments that have come in and toured the station and looking to do the same thing...absolutely,” he said.
Gary Sinise Foundation delivers meals to Orlando firefighters
Read full article: Gary Sinise Foundation delivers meals to Orlando firefightersThe Gary Sinise Foundation held its Serving Heroes event with the Orlando Fire Department on Tuesday. During the stop, workers with the organization handed out dozens of meals to firefighters at Orlando Fire Station One. The event was part of a national COVID-19 relief campaign from the Gary Sinise Foundation. Tuesday's event came as the Gary Sinise Foundation prepares to launch its first chapter in Central Florida on Aug. 15. The organization said the chapter will be the first of many that will expand the footprint of the Gary Sinise Foundation.
Reedy Creek administrators: First responders did not contract COVID-19 on the job
Read full article: Reedy Creek administrators: First responders did not contract COVID-19 on the jobA Reedy Creek representative said the timeline for Grants illness doesnt fall into the accepted CDC guideline of two to 17 days because he started showing symptoms 24 hours after contact with the paramedics. The Reedy Creek communications manager told News 6, We did pull all the EMS reports from June 23 (a week prior to the first person showing symptoms). Reedy Creek paramedics Steven Provost and Brian Astleford were on the June 29 call to Disney Springs and tested positive for the coronavirus four days later. Were on the front lines dealing with COVID everyday, Grant told News 6. They are a lot of employers in Florida simply saying you cant prove you contracted this disease on the job.
Orlando Fire Department reports jump in coronavirus cases, 28 test positive for COVID-19
Read full article: Orlando Fire Department reports jump in coronavirus cases, 28 test positive for COVID-19ORLANDO, Fla. The Orlando Fire Department is reporting an increase Thursday in coronavirus cases among its staff. As of Thursday, 28 members of the Orlando Fire Department have now tested positive for COVID-19, and 87 are in quarantine, according to a statement sent by department officials Thursday. The new statistics include the original number of COVID-19 positive department members and those in isolation. From the day previous, 21 more COVID-19 cases were confirmed within the department, as well as 23 more in a mandatory 14-day quarantine. On Thursday, the Florida Department of Health reported a jump of 316 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Orange County from Wednesday into Thursday.