Emergency crews responded swiftly as flames engulfed the Orthopedic Institute at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Dickson City, Penn., working through the night to control the blaze and assist with evacuations. State agencies, including police, emergency management, and health officials, collaborated on the response, earning praise from local and state leaders for their decisive action. No injuries were reported; the fire is under investigation.

Since 2023, the San Antonio Fire Department in Texas has not recorded any firefighter deaths from cancer -- a marked decline compared to the eight cancer-related fatalities that occurred between 2013 and 2023. The reduction is attributed to the department's cancer prevention initiatives, including updated cleaning and decontamination protocols, mandatory replacement of contaminated gear and a strong emphasis on education and wellness.

Aurora Fire Rescue has introduced Aurora Clinical Navigation, a service that connects nonemergency 9-1-1 medical calls to virtual physicians. The initiative aims to reduce ambulance wear and tear, free up emergency crews and lower patient costs. Aurora expects the service to decrease call volume by 15 calls per day.

Port Arthur, Texas, is set to launch a 3-1-1 nonemergency service on March 1 to improve communication between residents and city officials. Mayor Charlotte Moses says the initiative aims to address resident concerns more promptly, with all requests through the service requiring a response within 24 hours during city operating hours.

Public safety agencies are being asked to interpret evolving CJIS cybersecurity requirements while still keeping systems running and communities safe. These resources bring together clear explanations, real-world context, and practical guidance from our cyber experts.

Minnesota 100 has donated $50,000 to Andrea Bertz, the widow of St. Paul firefighter Tim Bertz, who died of a serious illness shortly after graduating as the oldest cadet in the program's history. The donation aims to alleviate Andrea's financial hardship, as she also faces her own medical issues.

California lawmakers say Senate Bill 627, the No Secret Police Act, can be enforced through civil lawsuits despite some police chiefs' refusal to enforce it. The law, which bans law enforcement officers, including federal immigration agents, from wearing masks, allows individuals and groups to sue violators, with penalties starting at $10,000. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department have cited safety concerns in their refusal to enforce the law.

Significant delays have hampered California's rollout of the 911-to-988 system for mental health crisis calls. Despite initial plans to implement statewide interoperability by July 2024, as of early 2026, the new call-handling system is only being piloted at one of the state's 11 crisis centers. Progress has stalled while state officials await authorization agreements from national administrators, and the lack of a two-way transfer between 9-1-1 and 9-8-8 remains a major concern. These delays have frustrated lawmakers and advocates who hoped for a more robust crisis response system by now, especially as demand for 9-8-8 services continues to grow.