Watertown, NY, Sep 06, 2011 — Federal workers reportedly complained about the inability to communicate during Irene, and following the recent earthquake, when cell phone networks went down. According to the Washington Post, many felt they were left in the dark, and agency leaders couldn't disseminate key information.

The Federal Communications Commission and wireless carriers report that 65-hundred cell sites were down along the East Coast during Hurricane Irene. Forty-four percent of Vermont's cell sites were down. The Post reports that confusion and a lack of coordination has federal employees worried that the government is still woefully unprepared for emergency situations.

Here in the North Country, Jefferson County is planning big improvements to its emergency communications system. The legislature just named a committee to research options and report back to lawmakers on the issue. Joanna Richards has more.  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Apr 20, 2011 — Across the North Country, volunteer fire squads are struggling to find new recruits.

Departments face a lot of challenges. Many small towns have fewer and fewer young people.

Training demands have grown over the years.

As Chris Morris reports, the region's fire chiefs are organizing to try to rebuild the tradition of service.  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Feb 28, 2011 — Officials with the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department say their response times to emergencies could be hampered if the village of Saranac Lake cuts two firetruck and ambulance driver positions and eliminates the village's emergency dispatch center. Village officials say they're looking at all options for dealing with a pair of fire driver vacancies, and haven't made any decisions. Chris Knight reports.  Go to full article

Fort Edward, NY, Jun 28, 2010 — A house fire in Fort Edward over the weekend left six young children dead from smoke inhalation.

Washington County officials are investigating the Saturday morning blaze but say they don't suspect foul play. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Wilmington, NY, Apr 29, 2010 — State officials say local communities can't use their fire departments' training exercises to burn municipal brush. Brush burning by towns and by individuals was banned last year by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Local government leaders in the North Country have railed against the DEC regulation, claiming that it will lead to an increase in individuals burning their brush at home and an associated increase in brush fires. Todd Moe has more.  Go to full article

Madrid, NY, Mar 01, 2010 — An autopsy shows a Mexican farmworker on a St. Lawrence County dairy farm died of smoke inhalation. The man was found in the bedroom of a mobile home destroyed by fire. A frying pan left unattended on a stove sparked the blaze. According to the Watertown Daily Times, authorities still haven't identified the man or found his family in Mexico. Three other Mexican nationals escaped the fire. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Massena, NY, Dec 29, 2009 — Fire swept through a Massena motel last night. One person is dead. Jonathan Brown reports.  Go to full article

Apr 22, 2009 — Yesterday, around 380 acres of brush fires were reported across New York State. Dozens of acres were burning in the Adk/North Country. The wet weather that moved into the area helped New York's Department of Environmental Conservation fight these fires. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Mar 23, 2009 — Four elderly residents died at a group home in Hamilton County on Saturday following an early morning fire. The blaze struck the Riverview home in the town of Wells, which is operated by New York state. Two staff members and a fifth patient were also injured. Brian Mann has our story.  Go to full article

Apr 18, 2008 — Conditions are just about perfect for brush fires in many areas of the North Country. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article