Over 50,000 come to see Galveston Firefighter's Local 571 Children's Parade

Galveston Kicks Off Mardi Gras: MyFoxHOUSTON.com

February 20, 2012

Cat rescued from burning apartment

Galveston firefighters called to an apartment fire Wednesday saved the building and rescued a cat from a burning and smoke-filled residence, a fire official said.

Firefighters were called at 2:55 p.m. to the 1800 block of 23rd Street and arrived within 2 minutes, finding smoke billowing from the two-story, brick building’s eaves and windows, fire Assistant Chief Mike Wisko said.

The crews found heavy smoke inside from a fire consuming the kitchen area of an upstairs apartment. The cause of the fire remained under investigation, and no injuries were reported, Wisko said.

The fire worked its way into the attic, but within 5 minutes, firefighters had the blaze under control, Wisko said.

“After a primary search, we found no humans, but we did find a cat and safely removed it from the fire,” Wisko said, noting the department learned the resident was at work at the time of the fire.

Firefighter Jeff Pucciarello rescued the cat, which appeared unharmed.

He put the feline inside a fire department pickup for safe keeping until the owner arrived.

Firefighters also found a plastic gasoline can inside the residence. Wisko said it might have been stored in the apartment.

Read more January 02, 2012

Cardiac Arrest victim says thanks to Galveston responders

Galveston Firefighters and EMS personnel got a visit from a special citizen recently.

Kelly Bird stopped by Central Station to thank the firefighters and EMS personnel for saving her life.

The crew of Engine 1, A-Shift and Galveston EMS Medic 1 responded to a report of an unconscious person. the crews had approximately a 2 minute response time. Upon their arrival they found Ms. Bird down in the bathroom with no pulse, not breathing, in cardiac arrest. The crews began CPR and other advanced life support measures and removed Ms. Bird from the house. A defibrillator was used to administer shocks to her heart in a attempt to restart it. The shocks were successful and Ms. Bird regained a pulse and a readable blood pressure. The firefighters drove the ambulance to the hospital and assisted the medics with Ms. Bird in the back.

Ms. Bird passed out many hugs on her visit to the fire station and presented the firefighters and medics with a certificate of appreciation that read in large font, "Thank You For Saving My Life! ".

The Galveston Fire Department and Galveston EMS highly encourages the public to learn CPR and what to do in a cardiac arrest emergency

December 19, 2011

2011 Battle of the Badges Promotional Video

Read more November 14, 2011

October 9-15 is National Fire Prevention Week!

It's that time of year again! October 9-15, 2011 is National Fire Prevention Week! This year, our slogan is "Protect Your Family From Fire!" and our campaign is all about keeping you, your family, and your community safer from fire.

Follow the link below to the National Fire Protection Agency's website and you'll find educational material and tip sheets on the leading causes of home fires, information about protecting your home and families with life-saving technologies, and the importance of home escape planning.

Be on the lookout during the month because the Galveston Fire Department will be appearing at local schools and organizations to educate local children and citizens about the importance of fire prevention in the home!

Read more September 30, 2011