Firefighter to Medicolegal Death Investigator – Wayne Hopkins

Story by Staff Sgt. Noah Coger September 22, 2026 at 09:54AM “I have always felt like I do my best work when the stakes are the highest.” Born in Baltimore and raised in York County, Pennsylvania, Wayne Hopkins, an Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) medicolegal death investigator (MDI), has built his life and career through service.<br /><a href="https://www.dvidshub.net/news/575318/firefighter-medicolegal-death-investigator-wayne-hopkins"><img src="https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2609/9956736/250w_q95.jpg" width="250" alt="Firefighter to Medicolegal Death Investigator – Wayne Hopkins" /></a>

Fort Buchanan firefighter shares professional expertise during training exchange in Panama

Story by September 17, 2026 at 02:53PM — Fort Buchanan Fire and Emergency Services Assistant Fire Chief Héctor Rivera recently traveled to Panama on his personal time for a weeklong professional exchange with Panama Canal firefighters, where he shared firefighting expertise in Spanish to help strengthen instructor qualifications, live-fire training and accreditation programs.<br /><a href="https://www.dvidshub.net/news/575007/fort-buchanan-firefighter-shares-professional-expertise-during-training-exchange-panama"><img src="https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2609/9945125/250w_q95.jpg" width="250" alt="Fort Buchanan firefighter shares professional expertise during training exchange in Panama" /></a>

MCAS Miramar Welcomes New Firefighters

Story by 1st Lt. Blake Starbuck September 17, 2026 at 12:20PM MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. (September 15, 2026) – Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar is leaning into an unconventional, deeply historical, and highly effective tool for mitigating fire risk: goats. The installation is releasing herds of grazing animals in a targeted effort to reduce dry brush and invasive grasses, turning to nature-based solutions to protect military infrastructure and neighboring civilian communities.<br /><a href="https://www.dvidshub.net/news/574981/mcas-miramar-welcomes-new-firefighters"><img src="https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2609/9942670/250w_q95.jpg" width="250" alt="MCAS Miramar Welcomes New Firefighters" /></a>

From first response to first cry: Fort Leonard Wood firefighters help deliver baby in on-post housing

Story by Melissa Buckley September 17, 2026 at 08:44AM Fort Leonard Wood’s firefighters train for long hours to battle dangerous blazes, but on Sept. 1, 2026, they answered a call of a completely different nature — helping an Army family welcome a rapid-delivery newborn.<br /><a href="https://www.dvidshub.net/news/574962/first-response-first-cry-fort-leonard-wood-firefighters-help-deliver-baby-post-housing"><img src="https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2609/9943976/250w_q95.jpg" width="250" alt="From first response to first cry: Fort Leonard Wood firefighters help deliver baby in on-post housing" /></a>

Blood, Sweat and Stairs: Goodfellow honors 9/11 first responders

Story by Senior Airman Renee Nicole Finona September 16, 2026 at 05:39PM Firefighters climbed five stories carrying 42-pound packs, advanced hose lines and dragged a 185-pound mannequin as part of the 14th annual Blood, Sweat and Stairs event, Sept. 12. Hosted by the 312th Training Squadron at the Louis F. Garland Department of War Fire Academy, the event honored the first responders who answered the call during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks while challenging participants through a memorial run and firefighter combat challenge.<br /><a href="https://www.dvidshub.net/news/574939/blood-sweat-and-stairs-goodfellow-honors-9-11-first-responders"><img src="https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2609/9942369/250w_q95.jpg" width="250" alt="Blood, Sweat and Stairs: Goodfellow honors 9/11 first responders" /></a>