firefighters

A nationwide public sector strike is planned for Tuesday, September 29 in France, involving teachers, healthcare workers, firefighters and public transport staff. In Paris, a demonstration is set to march from Place de la République to Place de la Nation via Bastille. Travellers are warned that RATP services may be disrupted, and schools, hospitals and transport across the country could be affected.

The Hill argues that ending the US forest roadless rule could help combat wildfires and improve wildlife access. Supporters say allowing road construction in protected national forests would give firefighters better access to blazes and let land managers thin overgrown forests. Critics have long warned that building roads in roadless areas raises fire risk, degrades habitat, and opens public lands to logging and development.

US Representative Brendan Boyle has introduced new legislation aimed at supporting the health and wellness of firefighters. The measure, announced by his office, focuses on the physical and mental health needs of first responders. Details of the bill's provisions and its prospects in Congress have not yet been widely reported, and reaction from firefighter organisations or fellow lawmakers remains limited so far.

Saltwater flooding in South Jersey has triggered fires in electric vehicles, as salt water can short-circuit lithium-ion batteries and ignite them, sometimes days after submersion. Local firefighters and officials are warning owners of flooded EVs to keep vehicles away from structures and to have them inspected. The incidents have renewed discussion about EV battery safety during coastal storms and flooding.

Iowa State University researchers are working on ways to reduce firefighters' elevated risk of cancer, which has been linked to exposure to toxic chemicals and smoke on the job. The Gazette reports on the effort, which comes as firefighting is increasingly recognised as a hazardous occupation with higher cancer rates than the general population.

A wildfire on Čvrsnica mountain in Bosnia and Herzegovina has still not been fully brought under control. Firefighters are continuing to tackle accessible hotspots, but the difficult, inaccessible terrain is hampering their efforts and the fire remains a threat. Crews are working tirelessly to contain the blaze.

Firefighters in Sacramento responded to a shed fire involving dozens of golf carts. Crews worked to contain the blaze, with no details yet on injuries or the cause. The unusual combination of a fire and a large number of golf carts has drawn local attention, with KCRA reporting from the scene and residents following updates as more information emerges.

A lightning strike sparked a brush fire at Oak Mountain State Park in Alabama. AL.com reported the strike ignited vegetation in the park, with firefighters responding to contain the blaze. Details on the size of the fire, damage, or injuries have not been released, and officials have not said whether the fire remains active.

Firefighters in northeast Oklahoma City responded to and extinguished a fire caused by a lightning strike. KOCO reported that crews put out the flames, with no details given about injuries or damage. The incident follows storm activity in the Oklahoma City area, and residents are sharing the news as severe weather moves through the region.

Firefighters in Illinois are taking part in jiu-jitsu training designed to help them defend themselves in the field. The program comes as emergency responders increasingly face aggressive or combative situations while on calls, and the techniques give crews practical ways to control confrontations without resorting to force. The initiative has drawn attention as an unusual but pragmatic safety measure for first responders.