Firefighters from multiple stations responded for an apartment on fire.
See story on page 4
Louisville Fire Under Investigation
Bowling Green crews were dispatched to a reported structure fire.
See story on page 8
Jakes Branch Handles
Bulan Car Fire
Jakes Branch FD responded to Middle Drive in Bulan for a reported vehicle fire.
See story on page 10
New Apparatus for Georgetown
Georgetown FD announced the arrival of its new 100-foot midmount ladder truck.
See story on page 22
The Urgency of Medevacs
Estimates are that scene-to-hospital time is one third the time it takes ground transport.
See story on pages 24-25
It’s a Family Affair for Bowling Green
Family members joined together to honor those who sacrificed their lives to save others.
See story on page 26
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pages 17-20 Special Feature
Classifieds
News
page 18
page 25
page 26
Tenants
Displaced by South Henderson Drive Fire
Just before midnight on May 5, 2026, firefighters from multiple stations were operating along the 400 block of South Henderson Drive after a caller reported the back of her apartment on fire. Firefighters arrived within four minutes to find an attached utility building on fire, with flames venting through the roof. All occupants were able to make it out from the home, but an ambulance was called to check out one adult female. The house contained three individual apartments and suffered moderate damage. Firefighters were able to contain the flames to the rear of the home. Due to the damage, all tenants were displaced from the residence and the Red Cross was called to assist.
- Photos courtesy Hopkinsville Fire & EMS
Pleasure Ridge Residential Fire
On April 19, 2026, at 1715 hours, Pleasure Ridge Park Fire was dispatched to a residential structure fire in the 6100 block of Middlerose Circle. Initial dispatch reported a resident inside. Crews
arrived to find all occupants out of the home. It took a team effort to get the fire under control and extinguished. No injuries were reported. - Photos courtesy Pleasant Ridge Park FD
Fatality at Hazel House Fire
On March 3, 2026 at 2339 hours, Calloway County Fire Rescue was dispatched to a structure fire east of Hazel on State Line Road East. First arriving units found a heavily involved house fire with flames protruding from all sides, and a report that someone was still inside the home. Within minutes, firefighters performed a search and found an elderly male in a bedroom. The victim was rescued from the home, but unfortunately, succumbed to injuries sustained from the fire. - Photo courtesy Calloway County FR
Jakes Branch Assists
Fisty
Fire
Jakes Branch Fire Department was requested for mutual aid at the request of Fisty FD for a vehicle fire on Balls Fork Road. Engine 153 responded. The fire was extinguished with no injuries reported.
- Photo courtesy of Jakes Branch FD
Louisville Fire Under Investigation
Bowling Green Fire Department crews were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 1500 block of Parkhurst Drive. Multiple callers reported flames showing and, upon arrival, heavy fire was showing from the building. Crews immediately began search and fire attack efforts. The fire remains under investigation.
- Photos courtesy Bowling Green FD
Carport Fire Extends
On May 14, 2026, the Louisville Fire Department responded to a residential structure fire on the 600 block of Curry Court. Fire crews arrived at 0532 hours, reporting a detached carport fully involved with fire extending into the residence. Firefighters initiated an aggressive interior and exterior attack, deploying three handlines to bring the fire under control by 0550. The fire was confined to the structure of origin and the attached exposure, including the detached carport. A total of 26 firefighters responded to the incident, supported by four engine companies, two truck companies, and a battalion chief. One adult occupant and a dog self-evacuated prior to firefighters’ arrival. One resident was displaced. Smoke detectors were present in the residence. Louisville Fire Arson Unit determined the cause to be an electrical malfunction.
- Photo courtesy Louisville FD
Hazard Assists
GCVFD
On June 01, 2026, the Hazard Fire Department was requested via mutual aid from Grapevine Chavies Volunteer Fire Department (GCVFD) to respond to a working structure fire on Condy Lane. First arriving units advised of a fully involved structure fire. Engine 3 and Tanker 2 were dispatched to the scene, and upon arrival, initiated an interior fire attack. Nozzle teams were deployed to the interior of the structure and, within minutes, brought the fire under control. No injuries were reported from the scene. - Photos courtesy of Hazard FD
Jakes Branch Handles Bulan Car Fire
On May 22, 2026 at 1944 hours, the Jakes Branch Fire Department responded to Middle Drive in Bulan for a reported vehicle fire. Engine 153 responded with four personnel. No injuries were reported.
- Photo courtesy JBFD
Hopkinsville Fire and EMS responded for an MVA near the fourmilemarker of Interstate 169 (Pennyrile Parkway) northbound after a single vehicle hydroplaned and flipped multiple times. One patient had to be extricated from the vehicle and another was ejected. Both patients were taken to Vanderbilt Clarksville in Clarksville, TN. One adult patient inside the vehicle had severe lower leg injuries, however, they were not believed to be life threatening.
- Photo courtesy Hopkinsville Fire & EMS
Louisville Snuffs Vacant Residential Fire
At 0347 hours, the Louisville Fire Department responded to a structure fire on the 1000 block of Beecher Street. Fire crews encountered heavy fire conditions visible from the front porch of a residential structure. Firefighters quickly initiated an aggressive interior attack, deploying two handlines to bring the blaze under control. The fire
was successfully contained within approximately eight minutes. A total of 24 firefighters, supported by four engines, two trucks, and a battalion chief, responded. The structure was a vacant residential building. Fire crews conducted both primary and secondary searches, confirming no victims inside. -
Photo courtesy of Louisville FD
Residents Displaced by Louisville Fire
Louisville Fire Department crews responded to a structure fire at a residential property in the 2600 block of Virginia Avenue on the evening of April 3, 2026. Firefighters were dispatched at 1840 hours and arrived to find heavy fire conditions at the residence. The fire had also extended to a neighboring home on the east side, prompting an immediate, aggressive fire attack. Crews deployed multiple handlines and worked quickly to contain and extinguish the fire. The blaze was brought under control at approximately 1923. As a result of the fire, three adults, one child, and three dogs were displaced. The American Red Cross was assisting the affected occupants. The Louisville Fire Department Arson Unit was called to the scene, and the cause of the fire was under investigation.
- Photo courtesy of Louisville FD
Perryville MVA into Power Pole
The Perryville Fire Department responded to West Fourth Street in front of Perryville Elementary School for a single-vehicle MVA with a power pole.
- Photo courtesy Perryville FD
2 Critical After Pembroke Road MVA
At 1425 on May 30, 2026, Hopkinsville Fire and EMS responded to a two-vehicle collision along the 4600 block of Pembroke Road involving multiple patients. Three ambulances responded to the scene and transported two adults in critical condition to Vanderbilt Clarksville and one adult with non-lifethreatening injuries to Jennie Stuart Medical.
- Photo courtesy Hopkinsville Fire & EMS
Louisville High-Angle Rescue a Success
At 1511 hours on May 19, 2026, the Louisville Fire Department responded to a high-angle rescue incident at the L&N Building, located on West Broadway. Fire companies were dispatched following reports of two window washers stranded on the exterior of the building between the seventh and eighth floors. Crews arrived on scene to find one worker stranded in a suspended platform after a cable failure, while the second worker was secured by a fall protection safety line. Rescue 2 and responding companies quickly
assessed the situation and initiated rescue operations. Truck 1 deployed its aerial apparatus, allowing firefighters to safely access the workers and bring both individuals down via ladder without injury. Both workers were successfully rescued and evaluated on scene. No serious injuries were reported. This incident highlighted the importance of rapid response, technical rescue capabilities and the professionalism of our crews.
- Photos courtesy Louisville FD
Motorcyclist Dies
After MVA with Truck
At approximately 1155 hours on May 19, 2026, Hopkinsville Fire and EMS were dispatched to an MVA involving a motorcycle and utility bucket truck near the intersection of Means Avenue and North Virginia Street. The motorcyclist collided with the side of the truck and was ejected. Personnel arrived within two minutes and immediately began life-saving interventions. The patient was transported to Jennie Stuart Medical Center with CPR in progress. and was later pronounced deceased there. Hopkinsville Police were investigating the cause of the accident.
- Photo courtesy Hopkinsville Fire & EMS
Richmond Hosts Flashover Training Session
The Richmond Fire Department was proud to host the Kentucky Fire Commission for a critical, high-intensity Flashover Training session for firefighters across our region. The goal of the training was Advanced Recognition: helping crews spot the subtle, secondsaway warning signs of rapid fire progression before it happens; and Survival Techniques: arming firefighters with the split-second tactics needed to protect themselves and their crews from injury or death. Hosting these intense, real-world simulations, insures that local and regional firefighters are sharper, safer and ready to make it home to their families. Thanks to the Kentucky Fire Commission instructors and to all the regional brothers and sisters who came out to train hard with us. - Photos courtesy Richmond FD
Georgetown Brushes Up on Hose Ops
Georgetown firefighters from 1st Shift were training on a new hose deployment and front-door drills. These basics are the bread-andbutter of the fire service, but we’re always eager to learn new techniques! - Photos courtesy Georgetown FD
Lexington Tech Rescue Trains
Lexington Fire Department’s 3rd Platoon, Technical Rescue Team, drilling recently.
- Photos courtesy Lexington FD
Live Burns Are Elaborate Training Methods
On April 20, 2026, more than 50 Bullitt County firefighters assembled at the training facility behind Shepherdsville Fire Station 2. Every fire department in Bullitt County was represented: Shepherdsville, Southeast Bullitt, Lebanon Junction, Nichols Fire District and Mount Washington. This evening was a live fire training. Live fire trainings are elaborate things. Unfortunately, firefighters have died in live fire trainings in past years and painful lessons about safety were learned. Before anything happens, all participants undergo baseline vital signs. Then a safety briefing is conducted followed by a pre-burn walkthrough. Lastly there is a careful student to instructor ratio. Instructors are inside and outside the building to monitor conditions.
- Photos courtesy Zoneton Fire Protection District
New Apparatus for Henderson
The Henderson Fire Department’s new Pierce Engine 2. - Photo courtesy Henderson FD
Owensboro Current Members Welcome
Their Retirees
We were so proud to welcome our retirees to the new Station 3 to enjoy a meal and to share memories with one another. Most importantly, current members had the opportunity to meet some of those who came before them and who have left such a lasting legacy of service. Let us never forget the shoulders we stand on in the pursuit of providing life safety and property conservation to this community. - Photo courtesy of Owensboro FD
New Apparatus for Georgetown
Georgetown Fire Department is excited to announce the arrival of its new 100-foot midmount ladder truck, as well as two new engines. Members participated in in-service training to begin familiarizing themselves with the new apparatus and their capabilities. Over the next several weeks, Truck Engineers will be completing driver training hours while we continue working through final preparations to place these apparatus into service for the City of Georgetown.
- Photos courtesy Georgetown FD
The Urgency of Medevacs
The first hour after a person suffers a major traumatic injury is called the “Golden Hour.” Getting the person to a trauma center within that hour is most critical for successful treatment. Air transport of patients is an effective means of getting the patient to medical care. Estimates are that scene-to-hospital time is one third the time it takes ground transport. Thanks to Kentucky Air Methods for visiting Zoneton Fire recently and giving an excellent program on set-
ting up LZs, safe operations involving helicopters and emergency procedures if something goes wrong with the helicopter. The most recent program used an Air Methods Crew from their Bedford base. Joining us were our neighbors the Okolona and Shepherdsville. - Photos courtesy Zoneton Fire Protection District
More photos next page
The Urgency of Medevacs...continued
It’s a Family Affair for Bowling Green
It’s always a great day when we get to bring the family back together. Bowling Green Fire Department recently exceeded even those expectations. The crowd of retirees and their families, those standing in honor of the ones who came before us, members of our community, and our current personnel made it a day that will be remembered for years to come. It was a day spent honoring those who sacrificed their lives to save others, while also recognizing those who dedicated decades of service and left not just with a career, but with a family for life. The ceremony served as a reminder that the fire service is more than a profession, it’s a bond that spans generations. The traditions built before us continue to shape who we are today, and together, we will carry the legacy of those individuals in everything we do. - Photos courtesy Bowling Green FD
KIDNEYS FOR COMMUNITIES BESTOWS CSFI’S NAC WITH NATIONAL COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD
FIRE STATIONS: SO MUCH TO BE DONE!
Kidneys for Communities, a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to life-saving kidney transplants through communitydirected living donation, bestowed a National Community Impact Award upon the Congressional Fire Services Institute’s (CSFI) National Advisory Committee (NAC) on March 18-19, 2026 in Washington DC.
The award was received by NAC Chair Preet Bassi, who is also the CEO of Center for Public Safety Excellence; NAC Vice Chair Vickie Pritchett, Vice President of Advocacy & Outreach for the National Fire Sprinkler Association; CFSI Board Member Shane Ray, National Fire Sprinkler Association President; and CFSI Executive Director Michaela Campbell.
Michaela Campbell, CFSI Executive Director said, “This recognition highlights the importance of coming together to support the health and well-being of our nation’s firefighters and first responders. We are grateful for this distinction and the opportunity to be part of such meaningful work.”
In attendance to demonstrate the organization’s focus on first responders were kidney donors and recipients who have been assisted and supported by Kidneys for Communities:
·Lucas Gorelick – a 21-year-old EMT donor whose kidney went to Christopher Romero, an NYPD Highway Patrol Officer; Daulton “DJ” Riddell – a 24-year-old Philadelphia area law enforcement hopeful who received a kidney in 2026 from an anonymous donor;John “Jack” Duncan – former US Marine and volunteer at the 9/11 Ground Zero site who received a kidney from a Canadian fire mechanic; and Venedo Alcazar – firefighter with Portland Fire & Rescue who received his kidney from Dr. Karen Doeuk, a retired nephrologist.
About Kidneys for Communities
Kidneys for Communities is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives by increasing access to kidney transplants through living donation. The organization partners with communities, employers, municipalities, and first responder organizations to educate, support, and connect donors and recipients. Addressing the national shortage of living kidney donors through proactive outreach, Kidneys for Communities developed the first-ever national community-directed donation program, which unlocks connections within membership-based communities and expands the impact of paired kidney exchange. To learn more or find out how to help first responders in need of a kidney transplant, visit their website.
F.I.E.R.O. (Fire Industry Education Resource Organization), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, recently conducted a nation-wide survey on fire stations. It was an indepth survey that revealed the glaring need for fire station replacement and renovations in the U.S. One statistic that stood out was that the average age of a station is 45 years! That was 1980! Most of you reading this article were not involved in the fire service at that time and a good percentage of you were yet to be born.
Think of all the changes and needs in fire station design which have evolved during this time. For example, female firefighters are no longer an oddity, EMS first responder is now a given, hazmat response is expected, and the fire service has emerged as an all-hazards response agency.
Now we have learned how important fire station design is to contamination control, how to maximize sleep, and a host of other holistic designs that improve firefighter health and wellness. Only a few stations are designed to meet today’s needs.
To address the void in learning about how to design or renovate a fire station, please plan to attend the Annual 2026 F.I.E.R.O. Fire Station Design Symposium, September 21-24 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in beautiful downtown Greenville, S.C. The first day (Monday) will be a pre-conference seminar on “First Steps.” The main Symposium is allday Tuesday, all-day Wednesday, and a half-day on Thursday. This year there will be over 50 speakers with several presentations related to station renovation, expansion, and retrofits. Bring key members of your governing body so they understand your needs. As a sample of what F.I.E.R.O. offers, attend our one-day fire station education day on Tuesday, August 11 as part of Fire Rescue International in Kansas City, MO.
The common phrase heard from attendees is “I would have never thought of that!” Remember, fire stations must be considered “Critical Infrastructure” and they need to meet today’s needs and designed to last decades. For detailed information and registration, go to www.fieroonline.org and click on “events.”
