Firehouse.com

Pinellas fire chiefs and county officials created a cutting-edge computer system to deliver crucial information to firefighters on their way to battle blazes.

But five years later, the system is full of holes because some fire departments have failed to provide critical data, leaving firefighters to dash blindly into dangerous situations, according to a St. Petersburg Times review.

Nov. 17--COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Fire Department will have a simulator to educate Columbus and surrounding communities about fire safety following the City Council's approval Monday of an $82,701 combination sprinkler/fire safety house.

Nov. 17--Cory Shifflett, the son of former Bedford County volunteer fire chief Jeffrey Shifflett, pleaded guilty today to seven counts of embezzlement, throwing himself on the mercy of the court.

"His position is he wants to take responsibility and make things right," Bedford County Commonwealth's Attorney Randy Krantz said after this morning's hearing in the county Circuit Court.

HIGHLAND -- Dan Baxter peers out his front window at the new neighbor that blocks his views of American Fork Canyon, has forced him to abandon the front half of his home and is currently shining a bright red light on his face. "It's almost as if the building is positioned to shine the lights right in our home," he said.

<?xml:namespace prefix = dme />

--

HONEA PATH, S.C.----

Tony Clark's job requires him to be good with his hands. He has more than 12 years of EMS and rescue experience, has worked as a paramedic for nine and

started working with the Honea Path Rescue Squad back in January. However, on Monday in his hands was a letter, a request to remove his managers from the

job he loves so much.

<?xml:namespace prefix = dme />

Nov. 17--HOLLYWOOD -- A driver trying to speed away from a crash on Interstate 95 instead caused a fiery wreck that killed one person, injured several others and halted traffic on the busy highway for five hours, authorities said.

The person who died was burned up when a car was engulfed in flames, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif.
--

Firefighters are making good progress against a brush fire that spread through more than 250 acres of rugged wilderness northeast of San Juan Capistrano.

Fire officials say the blaze was 75 percent contained Monday evening.

Some 300 firefighters hope to have the flames completely surrounded by Tuesday afternoon.

Capt. Greg McKeown of the Orange County Fire Authority says the fire is about 2 1/2 miles from any structures.

An embittered ex-boyfriend doused a pregnant woman with gasoline and set her on fire in the doorway of her Queens apartment yesterday as her horrified children looked on, officials and neighbors said.