The Bowling Green FD was dispatched to a structure fire with reported heavy fire coming from the front of the residence.
See story on page 6
Nice Stop, Lots of Overhaul
Owensboro Fire responded to a detached garage fire on Windsor Avenue.
See story on page 9
Fast Work
by Lexington
Lexington Fire Department crews responded to an early morning house fire amid frigid temperatures.
See story on page 10
Pembroke Handles
Car Fire
Pembroke crews, along with Fairview FD responded to a vehicle fire.
See story on page 14
1 Injury at Bowling Green Fire
Bowling Green FD crews were dispatched to a structure fire with heavy smoke coming from the building.
See story on page 19
New Baby Box
Installed at Lexington Fire
The Lexington FD placed the city’s first Safe Haven Baby Box into service at Fire Station 2.
See story on page 22
.pages 15, 18, 20, 21
.page 18
.page 20 Up Close &Personal
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.page 21 2025 Women’s Weekend
.page 22
Vacant Residence Fire in Louisville
Louisville Fire Department (LFD) crews were dispatched fora residential structure fire in the 4000 block of Exley Court. Crews arrived in fourminutes to find a vacant 1-1/2-story residence with fire showing on the first-floorfront of the structure. Entry was made and an interiorattack and searches were conducted. All searches were negative, and firefighters were able to gain control in approximately 14 minutes with 25 firefighters on scene. Louisville Arson is investigating the cause of the fire.
- Photo courtesy of Louisville FD
CarFire in Driveway in Kirksey
On January 21, 2025, at approximately 1830, Calloway County 911 dispatched Calloway County Fire Rescue (CCFR) to the 2800 block of Cook Store Trail in the Kirksey community fora report of a vehicle fire. Fire personnel arrived to a vehicle fully involved in a driveway. CCFR firefighters began quickly extinguishing the fire without incident. The ownerof the vehicle was located at the residence who stated they just returned home when the vehicle started smoking from the hood but was not on fire; they parked the vehicle away from theirresidence forsafety concerns. When they went back to the vehicle to get items out of it that had been left, they found it on fire. Thankfully no injuries were reported norany damage to otherproperty since it was parked away from any structures.
- Photo courtesy of Calloway County FR
Maddeline Court Structure Fire
The Bowling Green Fire Department (BGFD) was dispatched to a structure fire on Madeline Court. Upon arrival, units reported heavy fire coming from the front of the residence on both the first and second floors. All occupants and pets safely evacuated the residence. IThere were nine BGFD units on scene. The origin and cause of fire was underinvestigation. - Photo courtesy of Bowling Green FD
Multiple Vehicles on Fire on Glass Ave.
Two stations worked a multi-vehicle fire along the 1400 block of Glass Avenue on January 7, 2025, just after2000. Dispatch indicated there were multiple vehicles on fire in a parking lot outside a commercial structure. -
Photo courtesy of Hopkinsville Fire & EMS
Henderson Fights Massive Warehouse Blaze
Henderson Fire crews, assisted by mutual aid from Robards, Basket, Zion, Corydon and an Indiana crew from the Ohio Township, battled a warehouse fire located in the 1100 block of First Street. The fire started on January 8, 2025. - Photos courtesy of Henderson FD
Fast Stop in Louisville
Recently, the Louisville Fire Department (LFD) responded to reports of a fire at a vacant residence in the 2500 block of West Broadway. Crews arrived within two minutes to find a 1-1/2-story home with fire and smoke visible from the front. Firefighters initiated an interiorattack, coordinated with vertical ventilation, to extinguish the fire and search foroccupants. The fire was brought undercontrol by 25 firefighters in approximately 18 minutes. All searches of the dwelling were negative, and no injuries were reported. The LFD Arson Unit is investigating the incident.
- Photos courtesy of Louisville FD
Hazard Assists Jake’s Branch
Hazard Fire Department was dispatched to Hardburly Road to assist Jake’s Branch Fire Department with a residential structure fire. Tanker2, Unit and on-call units responded. Lotts Creek sent a tanker. Upon arrival, crews were met with heavy fire in a mostly involved structure. Two attack lines were deployed, one foran interior attack and the otherto provide exposure protection. Acrew performed a search of the interior, as well.
- Photos courtesy of Hazard FD
It’s Not Easy in Cold Weather
Zoneton and Fairdale assisted Nichols with a fully involved structure fire on Knob Creek Road. Winterfirefighting can present many extra challenges: cold, tough movement in snow, frozen hoses, hydrants and ground. Then more steam happens worsening visibility. - Photos courtesy of Zoneton Fire Protection District
Nice Stop, Lots of Overhaul
Owensboro Fire responded to a detached garage fire on Windsor Avenue recently. Third-Crew responders arrived to heavy flames and multiple exposures. It took quick, focused work to contain the well involved fire within 10 minutes of the 911 call. The construction and fire involvement of the building made fora considerable amount of overhaul to extinguish hotspots.
- Photos courtesy of Owensboro FD
Hopkinsville Starts Off 2025
Firefighters from two stations responded a working structure fire along Vera Drive, adjacent to West 2nd Street on January 1, 2025. Firefighters were called out afterlaw enforcement patrolling the area noticed smoke. Firefighters arrived within three minutes and found a well involved single-family home on fire. Due to the advancement of the fire, and stability concerns with the roof, command ordered a defensive operation only. Primary and secondary searches proved negative.
- Photos courtesy of Hopkinsville Fire & EMS
Lexington Fire Department crews responded to an early morning house fire amid frigid temperatures. All residents were accounted forand the fire was extinguished within minutes by the first arriving company.
- Photos courtesy of Lexington FD
Fast Work by Lexington
Structure & Brush Fire in Hazard
On the afternoon of January 27, 2025, at approximately 1523, the Hazard Fire Department was dispatched to the area of Brown Gay Lane forreports of a residential structure fire. Engine 4 and 3, Tanker2, Brush 1 and Unit 1 respond to the scene. The residence was fully involved on arrival, causing a brush fire. Adefensive attack was initiated and Brush 1 was called to the scene forwildland fire support. Crews were able to extinguish the structure fire as well as the brush fire and return to service. No injuries were reported and cause of the fire was unknown.
- Photos courtesy of Hazard FD
Pembroke Handles CarFire
Pembroke crews, along with mutual aid from the Fairview Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire recently. The vehicle was a total loss and due to the location of the vehicle, crews had to use wildland equipment to ensure the fire did not spread into the
Logging Truck Rollover
On January 17, 2025, at approximately 1100, Calloway County 911 Communications Centerdispatched Calloway County Fire Rescue (CCFR) out to the area of Douglas Road and Bandarra Lane on the southeast side of the county fora rolloveraccident, without injuries, involving a logging truck and trailer. Dispatch also advised that the truck was loaded with logs when it overturned and had live electrical wires involved. CCFR responded to assist with traffic control and to be on standby until the electric company could respond to fix the electric pole and lines down.
- Photo courtesy of Calloway County FR
Perryville Gas Leak
Perryville Fire crews responded to North Bragg Street between East First Street and Hardee Street, recently, to shut down North Bragg due to a gas leak. Crews made a detourforanyone heading to orfrom Harrodsburg to bypass this area.
- Photo courtesy of Perryville FD
Louisville House Fire Fight Goes Defensive
The Louisville Fire Department (LFD) was dispatched to a residential structure fire in the 4000 block of Louisville Avenue recently. LFD arrived on the scene within fourminutes to find a single-story residential dwelling on fire, with the fire threatening a nearby automotive shop. Initially, crews began an interiorattack, but due to worsening conditions and the presence of several propane tanks around the dwelling, they quickly switched to defensive operations. With 30 firefighters on scene, the fire was brought undercontrol within 30 minutes. The neighboring automotive shop sustained moderate damage. Fortunately, no civilian injuries were reported, and one dog was rescued and placed in the care of animal control. The Louisville Arson Unit was investigating the cause of the fire.
- Photo courtesy of Louisville FD
Bowling Green Shed Fire
Bowling Green Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire on Adams Street. Ten units responded. On arriving, crews reported smoke and flames coming from a shed. The cause of the fire was underinvestigation.
- Photos courtesy of Bowling Green FD
8 Displaced in Louisville Fire
Louisville Fire Department (LFD) responded to reports of a residential fire in the 600 block of Lindell Avenue. Firefighters arrived within three minutes to find a 1-1/2 story home on fire, with no exposure risks. Initial reports indicated that all occupants had safely exited the building. Firefighters conducted an interiorattack and confirmed that no one was inside. The fire was brought undercontrol within 20 minutes, with 30 firefighters working. The cause of the fire was determined to be an unattended candle. The Red Cross was providing assistance to eight displaced adults and two pets. - Photo courtesy of Louisville FD
Owensboro Restaurant Fire
Ablaze broke out at a popularOwensboro restaurant recently, Niko’s Italian Cuisine, in the 2200 block of East Parrish Avenue, just before 0500 on January 14, 2025. Several fire crews were called to the scene and fire officials say the fire was in the attic area and was difficult to access. The building also housed a medical lab. The fire was under investigation.
- Photo courtesy of Owensboro FD
Bowling Green Trains in Real Heat & Smoke
Bowling Green Truck 6 crew performed a VES drill - vent, enter, isolate and searchwhile working in real heat and smoke conditions recently.
- Photo courtesy of Bowling Green FD
Madisonville Trains at Madisonville PD Complex
Madisonville Fire Department hosted a training session recently at the Madisonville Police Regional Training Complex. This facility offers both police officers and firefighters the opportunity to move walls to change pathways through the room setting as well as forcible entry doors. Due to the coldertemperatures all the students were able to practice victim search and Rapid Intervention Team skills inside a control setting even having TVmonitoring allowing forthe student’s movement to be watched in the darkness during the rescue drill. Aftera short classroom session, 28 students from eight different agencies donned their PPE and lined up fora chance to cycle through the maze of rooms. Special thanks to MFD Rescue 4 crew (Lieutenant Dever, Engineer Hancock, and Firefighters Richey and Wallace) forleading the training drill, and to Madisonville Police Department forthe time and effort they have put into this facility allowing formultiple training scenarios. A huge thank you should also go out to MPD OfficerAllan Stokes, Jr., for working with MFD to make this training happen.
- Photos courtesy of Madisonville FD
Hopkinsville CarFire
On January 15, 2025, Tower4 and District 2 responded at 1252, to a car fire in Hopkinsville nearthe intersection of Country Club Lane and South Virginia Street. No injuries were reported.
- Photo courtesy of Hopkinsville Fire & EMS
Calloway Co.
Rollover
On December10, 2024, at approximately 1700, Calloway County Fire Rescue (CCFR) was dispatched fora rolloverMVAwith injuries. The driverhad already been removed from the vehicle before CCFR arrived. The driverwas checked by Murray-Calloway County EMS but was not transported. The vehicle was removed by McClard’s Towing.
- Photo courtesy of Calloway County FR
Cave Rescue Training forBowling Green
Bowling Green firefighters from Station 1 and Station 5 trained extensively in Cave Rescue operations. There are over1,000 caves in theirresponse area, more than 300 in Warren County, and 20plus surveyed caves in Bowling Green. In this exercise, they navi-
gated a local cave and simulated an actual rescue operation with a live victim. From search tactics to packaging patients, this tedious process requires teamwork and communication.
- Photos courtesy of Bowling Green FD
Owensboro, Daviess at Ice Rescue Training
Owensboro Fire Department Station 1 engaged in a joint training with Daviess County to take advantage of the cold weatherto conduct ice rescue scenarios at a local retention basin. This effort not only allowed forpracticing individual rescue skills, it also provided an opportunity foreach agency to work togetheras teammates.
- Photos courtesy of Owensboro FD
1 Injury at Bowling Green Fire
Bowling Green Fire Department (BGFD) crews were dispatched to a structure fire located on East 12th Avenue recently. First arriving units noted heavy smoke coming from the building. Ten BGFD units responded to the fire. One individual was transported by EMS to a nearby hospital forfurtherevaluation. The cause of fire was underinvestigation. - Photo courtesy of Bowling Green FD
TRAINING
It Depends How You Look at It
Cold snaps aren’t all bad! When temperatures drop, the Lexington Fire Department’s (LFD) Technical Rescue Team gets a rare chance to train forice rescues-because, well, they need ice forthat! While they’re out practicing how to save lives, here are a few tips to keep you safe: Use the buddy system-neverventure onto ice alone. Keep
pets leashed nearfrozen water. They don’t know the difference between solid ice and a cold swim. If a person orpet falls in, call 91-1 immediately. Don’t attempt a rescue yourself - let the pros handle it!
- Photos courtesy of Lexington FD
Up Close & Personal
Fire Academy of Kentucky Graduates 32
The Kentucky Fire Commission recognized 32 recruits from 18 fire departments across the Commonwealth in a graduation ceremony at the Fire Academy of Kentucky on November 15, 2024. Class 005 recruits spent 13 weeks training in Muhlenberg County and will return to their respective fire departments as certified firefighters ready to serve their communities.
The Fire Academy of Kentucky is aligned with Madisonville Community and Technical College as a Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) facility. Each recruit received 24 college credits, placing them approximately one third of the way to a KCTCS Associate of Applied Science-Fire Science Technology degree.
- Submitted by Erika Adams Cole
Firefighters from the Perrysville Fire Department.
- Photo courtesy of Perrysville FD
New Baby Box Installed at Lexington Fire
The Lexington Fire Department has officially placed the city’s first Safe Haven Baby Box into service at Fire Station 2 (1276 Eastland Drive). This secure, anonymous option provides mothers in crisis a safe way to surrender their newborns, ensuring immediate care and protection. Chief Jason Wells said, “We are in the lifesaving business and are overjoyed to offer this service to our community.
Thank you to the Knights of Columbus, Mayor Linda Gorton, and the Urban County Council for making this life-saving resource possible.
- Photos courtesy of Lexington FD
2025 Women’s Weekend at the NFA
The United States Fire Administration’s (USFA) National Fire Academy (NFA), in partnership with Women in Fire, is pleased to announce the 2025 Women’s Weekend at the NFA!
Women’s Weekend (May 17 to 18, 2025) at the NFAis not limited to women, all are welcomed to attend. You will see the 2025 schedule has more two-day classes than ever and several new offerings from the NFA, U.S. Forest Service, First Responder Center for Excellence (FRCE), and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF).
What: Women’s Weekend at the NFA
When: May 17-18, 2025
Where: National Fire Academy / Emmitsburg, Maryland
Cost: Free of charge -
attendees must purchase a meal card on campus
Lodging: Free of charge provided on campus
Other: Charter bus transportation to/from NFA from Thurgood Marshall Baltimore International Airport (BWI) free of charge
Register: National Fire Academy National Training Weekend Program (https://www.usfa.fema.gov/about/usfa-events/2024-06-15-
womens-weekend/)
Classes being offered:
• Building Resilience in Leadership: Strategies for Growth and Confidence (W0952)
• Command and Control for Company-Level Operations (W0296)
• Decision-Making for Initial Company Operations (W0457)
• EMS Functions in ICS (W0166)
• Executive Skills Series: Exercising Leadership Through Difficult Conversations (W0522)
• Followership to Leadership (W0905)
• Fostering Belonging in the Fire and Emergency Services (W0851)
• Incident Safety Officer (W0729)
• Leadership in Supervision: Creating Environments for Professional Growth (W0646)
• Optimizing Performance in Female Fire Fighters (W0955)
• Safety for Hazardous Materials Incidents (W0256)
• Shaping the Future (W0602)
• Strategy and Tactics for Initial Company Operations (W0455)
• Supervising Emergency Medical Services (SEMS) (W0146)
