Tagged: safety

    The volunteer fire service is at a serious crossroads. Current membership is at its lowest point in nearly two decades, and further erosion could have dire consequences.

What the general public may not realize is the fire companies protecting their communities are often staffed exclusively by volunteers. When an emergency breaks out, these volunteers leave their homes and offices to respond, not the local firehouse, as paid firefighters do.

The Times Union looked at one of the region's more dangerous roads for pedestrians in its story Sunday, "Toll: 8 dead, 300 injured." Now the Times Union and WAMC Northeast Public Radio will present a public forum to address the issue of pedestrian safety in the Capital Region. The public is invited to the program at 2 p.m., April 17 at the Linda, WAMC's Performing Arts Studio, which will consist of a panel discussion moderated by Alan Chartock, WAMC's president and CEO.

NYS Education Commissioner John King released a statement Friday lamenting the mass shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school in Connecticut. King said, “Our schools are meant to be safe havens where children can learn, free from fear and violence.”

What happened on Friday reminded many of us of another tragic school shooting at Columbine High School on April 20th, 1999. That is the day seniors Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 12 students and one teacher, as well as injuring 24 others.