Fairfax, VA -  One man’s trash is another one’s treasure, but for fire fighters, too much of it packed into a home will turn all of it into dangerous fuel for active fires.   “Fire fighters are increasingly battling fires made vastly more hazardous by hoarding,” says John Niemiec, President of Fairfax County Professional Firefighters & Paramedics. Hoarders collect and keep large...

The IAFF  welcomes the federal government’s announcement of $80 million for a national Community Heroes benefit for the families of Canada’s fallen fire fighters and other public safety officers. The announcement, made March 22 in Ottawa, is the culmination of a longstanding IAFF lobby for a public safety officer compensation ( PSOC ) benefit. The IAFF commends Prime Minister Justin Trud...

IAFF LODD - Anthony Spano, L1710, Chicopee, MA - It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Firefighter Anthony Spano of IAFF Local 1710, Chicopee, MA. Brother Spano, 47, passed away on March 30, 2017 from a heart attack. The visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Cierpial Funeral Home, 67 East Street, Chicopee MA, 01020; phone 4...

On Thursday, March 30, at approximately 4:23 a.m., units were dispatched for a fire in a townhouse in the 6900 block of Compton Valley Court in the Centreville section of Fairfax County. Upon arrival, units found a three-story, middle of the row townhouse with fire and smoke showing from a second floor window in the rear of the home. The fire appeared to be rapidly spreading to the attic. Fir...

IAFF LODD - Arthur L. Ricks, L0073, Saint Louis, MO - It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Captain Arthur L. Ricks of IAFF Local 73, St. Louis, MO. Brother Ricks passed away from colon cancer on Thursday, March 30, 2017. The visitation will be held on Sunday, April 2, 2017 from 3:00-8:00 PM at the John Ziegenhein Funeral Home, 7027 Gravois Avenue, St. Louis, MO ...

IAFF LODD - Chris L. Foster, L3663, Demopolis, AL - It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Lieutenant Christopher Foster IAFF Local 3663, Demopolis, Alabama. Brother Foster, 54, passed away from cardiac arrest on March 23, 2017. The funeral was held on March 27, 2017. Expressions of sympathy or condolences for the family or the Local can be sent to IAFF Local 3663...

IAFF LODD - Steve Buser, L0625, Ames, IA - It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Firefighter Steve Buser of IAFF Local 625, Ames, Iowa. Brother Buser, 51, passed away on Friday, March 17, 2017 from cardiac arrest. A Memorial Service will be held at the Ames Auditorium, 515 Clark Avenue, Ames, Iowa, 50010 on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 3:00 PM; phone 515-294-3347....

IAFF LODD - James Perez, L0574, Savannah, GA - It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Advanced Firefighter James Perez of IAFF Local 574, Savannah, Georgia. Brother Perez, 25, passed away from liver cancer on March 17, 2017. The Fire Service Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, March 26, 2017 beginning at 4:00 PM at the Compassion Christian Church, Adult Mi...

Fire fighters are exposed every day to harsh toxins and chemicals that increase their risk for contracting some form of cancer. This emotional video, which features Boston, Massachusetts fire fighters, is a sobering reminder of the dangers of working in the fire service. Occupational carcinogens include diesel exhaust, benzene, formaldehyde, asbestos and various combustion byproducts f...

Nest Labs has halted sales of its smoke and carbon monoxide detectors over company and customer concerns that users could unintentionally disable the device by waving their hands in front of it. One of the most praised features from reviewers is that you could disable the alarm with a simple wave for those instances where you burnt toast or allowed your husband to cook dinner. The issue ...

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue will launch its second community outreach initiative branded "Wellness In Our Community" (WIOC), in support of "preventing the 9-1-1 call," Wednesday, April 2, 2104, at 11:30 a.m. Fire Chief Richard Bowers and county officials will kick off the initiative at Fire and Rescue Station 40, Fairfax Center, 4621 Legato Road, Fairfax, Virginia. The program aims to save live...

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe  recently spoke at the Alfred K. Whitehead Legislative Conference on March 17 in Washington, D.C.  (Watch the video below) The conference is the cornerstone of the IAFF's legislative efforts. The IAFF has won significant legislative victories on Capitol Hill due largely to the relationships that local IAFF leaders have with their elected officials. The L...

Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA) recently spoke at the Alfred K. Whitehead Legislative Conference on March 17 in Washington, D.C.  (Watch the video below) The conference is the cornerstone of the IAFF's legislative efforts. The IAFF has won significant legislative victories on Capitol Hill due largely to the relationships that local IAFF leaders have with their elected officials. The Legi...

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a vehicle fire Friday, January 10, 2014, at approximately 1:35 a.m., in the West Annandale area of Fairfax County. The vehicle was located at 9202 Ashmeade Drive. Firefighters encountered a fully involved vehicle on fire in a driveway upon arrival. Firefighters conducted a rapid fire attack and extinguished the fire to a Honda Odyssey va...

Fairfax County suffered a tragic loss with the death of Firefighter Earl Warren Kane. Firefighter Kane was the first line-of-duty death in the department's short history. It was January 10, 1968 when the Fairfax County Fire Department was dispatched for a reported child who fell through the ice at Lake Anne in Reston, Virginia. The average daily temperatures in the early part of January 1968 range...