USAFMCOM joins community to commemorate 9/11

Story by Mark Orders-Woempner September 13, 2025 at 12:12PM From the ashes of 9/11 rose a rallying cry of ‘Never Forget,’ and dozens of first responders, community leaders, Soldiers, veterans and members of the public came together in Indianapolis to ensure the memory of 9/11 was not forgotten this Patriot Day. U.S. Army Col. Shaun D. McMurchie, 45th Finance Center director, and his fellow Soldiers and civilians from the U.S. Army Financial Management Command joined the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Indianapolis Fire Department’s Station 13, police officers from various agencies and members of the public to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the terrorist attacks during a commemoration ceremony at the Indiana 9/11 Memorial in Indianapolis Sept. 11, 2025.

Pa. National Guard hosts helicopter orientation for emergency responders

Story by Wayne Hall September 12, 2025 at 02:32PM FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Army National Guard conducted a helicopter orientation training event for emergency responders Sept. 11 at the Army Aviation Support Facility No. 1 and Muir Army Heliport here. More than 120 firefighters and rescue personnel from several fire companies in the communities surrounding the installation and its most common helicopter flight routes attended this unique training experience.

Wildfire: Understanding Risks, Making Plans in Tahoe Basin

Story by Andrew Avitt September 11, 2025 at 01:54PM With warm, drier summer months next up in the queue, wildfire activity across the country and California will begin to increase. The Forest Service and partners prepare for this year-round. They keep their firefighters well equipped and well trained. They treat forested areas around communities to create defensible space — all so when a wildfire starts, they’ll be ready.

Smokejumping: A Quick Commute

Story by Andrew Avitt September 11, 2025 at 12:42PM It’s that time of year when wildfire activity is increasing across the country. But have you heard of the Bear Fire, Campbell Fire, or the Blakes Fire? Most likely not because the quick response by wildland firefighters relegated these fires to the historical trash bin — and one of the quickest responders is the Forest Service smokejumper.

Clearing the ridge: Fire for forest health and resilient communities

Story by Andrew Avitt September 11, 2025 at 11:53AM Wildfire is driven by three main factors — weather, terrain and fuels. When fighting wildfires, firefighters work to reduce the fuel feeding the fire, either by removing it with heavy equipment, handlines or by making it hard to burn by soaking the fuel with water or retardant.