Early one April morning, Estes Elementary School students Julian Rodriguez and William “Blueboy” Estrella were walking to school, just like they do together most days.

Northwest Fire District’s governing board approved a contract for Michael J. Brandt to become its fire chief, dropping the “interim” from his current title when the two-year contract kicks in on May 28.

(BPT) - Often, we don’t think about heroism until we see it in action - when disaster strikes and ordinary people exhibit extraordinary courage and compassion to help victims in their time of need. The truth is, however, that the best of human nature is on display every day in the lives of millions of Americans who work in public service jobs across the country. Sometimes all it takes to tap that inner hero is an opportunity – and the education – to serve others.

Century Theatres

Northwest Fire District firefighters responded to 2002 W. Gardner Lane at 0100 after 9-1-1 calls were received reporting a mobile home on fire. Deputies from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department on patrol in the area arrived just before fire crews and attempted to make entry into the mobile home to check for the victim, but were driven back by the heavy smoke and fire.

A cooking fire damaged the kitchen of a town home, displacing the resident in the 2500 block of East Prince Road late Saturday night. The resident was heating up oil for cooking purposes when the oil flashed. The resident initially called 9-1-1 and reported that the pan had caught fire but the fire was out. A second call was made to 9-1-1 stating the kitchen was now on fire. The resident was advised to evacuate the apartment. A single engine company was initially dispatched for the fire reported out but they were upgraded to emergency traffic, lights and sirens, and a full alarm dispatch was filled out given the additional information. The first engine company on scene advised heavy black smoke was coming from town home and they would be pulling hose lines inside to perform a search and extinguish the fire. The ladder crew controlled the utilities and then cut a hole in the roof to allow the smoke to escape and cool down the interior. The engine company was able to confine the fire to the kitchen, preventing the fire from spreading to the rest of the town home or neighboring homes. The fire was controlled 15 minutes after the first unit arrived on scene. Eight units and twenty-one firefighters responded to the fire with no personnel suffering any injuries. The town home was not deemed livable and the resident was going to be staying with family for assistance. .

Northwest Fire District firefighters responded to the Honey baked Ham store located at 7090 N. Oracle road at 0538 after an automatic fire alarm activation was received. The first arriving engine company arrived within 6 minutes to find an audible alarm sounding, flooding from the front door from the automatic sprinkler systems that had been activated and smoke also coming from the entry way. A full alarm was requested which brought three additional engine companies, a ladder company and support units to the scene.

Northwest Fire District firefighters and paramedics were called to the 8200 block of North Equator Loop just before midnight after receiving a 9-1-1 call indicating that a small child had been found in the backyard swimming pool. The home is near Cortaro Farms and Oldfather Roads. The initial 9-1-1 call was received at 11:43pm. Bystanders reported that the child was pulled from the pool where CPR instructions were given from 9-1-1 dispatchers until Northwest Fire crews arrived 4 minutes later.

Last week, local author Patty Vallance dropped off 28 copies of the book she wrote for the classes at Copper Creek Elementary School.

Northwest Fire District crews were called to Interstate 10 at the Ruthrauff overpass just after 11:30 p.m. Saturday night, after a passer-by noticed a vehicle off the roadway and damage to some of the guardrail in the area.

Gov. Jan Brewer signed into law HB 2204, legislation that extends health insurance to the widowed spouses and dependents of Arizona peace officers, correctional officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty. The measure includes an emergency clause, so it takes effect immediately.

Best teacher

Ironwood Ridge senior Colton Blevins is the Explorer’s Helping Hand feature for the month of February.

The Tucson Quarter Midgets Association and the North Tucson Fire Fighter Community Outreach Corporation are holding the second annual Charity Race and Touch a Truck event on March 9, 2013, from 9am – 4pm at the Quarter Midget racetrack located south of Avra Valley Road on the Westside I-10 frontage road. Suggested donation of $5 for adults and kids under 12 are free. Funds raised will benefit Project Trident, a drowning prevention and awareness program.

Nov. 8, 2012, was a regular day for both Chuck Boreman and Golder Ranch Fire District Captain Steve Drury.  While they did not know each other, a workout at a local gym would change that forever.  That morning, Boreman experienced a sudden cardiac arrest, brought on by a clogged artery that he did not know he had.  That is when Drury and a group of other off duty first responders came to his aid.

(NAPSI)—To help raise children's awareness about the best ways to keep pets safe, healthy and happy, TV's No. 1 show for preschoolers is airing a special shelter animal episode throughout February.

Looking for an activity the whole family can enjoy? Then karate might be the thing for you. We have amazingly affordable family packages; your whole family can train for less than $200 a month! Our schedule offers you some flexibility and freedom to choose classes that can fit your family’s daily routine (ages 4+). In addition to karate, we offer a cardio kickboxing class for those looking to just get into shape (ages 15+). Call (520) 572-8669 today for more information!

Tucson Fire Department responded to a four-alarm fire in a strip mall in Tucson yesterday around 3 p.m.

Northwest Fire District firefighters were dispatched to the area of Sweetwater Dr. and Camino De Oeste, in the Tucson Mountains after receiving a 9-1-1 call for woman who had fallen from a horse. The call came in at 1349 hours.

“Operation Prickly Pear” is a school fundraiser that involves the entire Pusch Ridge sixth grade class, students, parents, and teachers, from harvesting the fruit to the production and packaging and sales of the final products.