LIVE BLOG: KPRC 2 Investigates discusses accountability probe into Astroworld Tragedy
In a live discussion on the KPRC 2+ livestream at 6:30 p.m. CST Wednesday, KPRC 2 Investigates will answer your questions about the tragedy at the 2021 Astroworld Festival and what officials are doing to prevent another deadly concert.
Questions over Astroworld permitting continue following Gov. Abbottโs Task Force on Concert Safety report
Days after the governorโs Task Force on Concert Safety released its report following the tragedy at the Travis Scott concert on the opening night of Astroworld, questions are being asked about the permitting process.
HFD officials flagging firefighters who arenโt in compliance with COVID-19 test or vaccine mandate
An internal email obtained by KPRC 2 Investigates shows that employees of the Houston Fire Department who are not in compliance with Mayor Sylvester Turnerโs Executive Order to either get vaccinated, get an exemption, or test twice per month, will have a note of โnon-complianceโ put in their files.
โOur emergency departments are overcrowdedโ: Ambulances seeing longer wait times at Houston hospitals as COVID cases surge
In 2016, an independent study commissioned by the city of Houston called for 70 โpeak timeโ ambulances to be added to the Houston Fire Department in order to effectively serve the cityโs population.
โFor us as firemen, we have to be able to breatheโ: HFD receives 3,000 doses of Moderna vaccine
HOUSTON โ Houston firefighters have received 3,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine Monday. In late December, Houston firefighters have been working with hospitals like Houston Methodist and St. Lukeโs to receive the Covid-19 Pfizer vaccine. Now, firefighters will have other options as the department works to roll out the 3,000 Moderna vaccines received on Monday. Volunteering to lead the effort to have firefighters vaccinated is HFD Capt. Vogel is getting the vaccine soon, and he said he cannot wait.
HFD faces severe staffing shortage headed into Christmas holiday
HOUSTON โ This story has been edited and updated to reflect the most recent HFD COVID-19 quarantine figures. Already facing a severe staffing shortage, the Houston Fire Department is expected to hit a new low mark on Christmas Day. KPRC 2 Investigates has viewed documentation that shows Christmas Eve will start with 152 fewer firefighters than the national minimal staffing standards. The staffing shortage numbers will be mitigated somewhat by firefighters who will hold over to work overtime shifts. On Dec. 21, Chief Pena said in a press conference that 180 members of the Houston Fire Department were in quarantine.
Who was Lemuel Bruce, HFD arson investigator killed in shooting
HOUSTON โ The Houston Fire Department is mourning one of their own who was killed in the line of duty. A procession was from the Medical Center to the Harris County Medical Examinerโs Office was held Friday morning for HFD Arson Investigator Lemuel Bruce. RELATED: Houston Fire Department arson investigator dies after shooting in NW HoustonโItโs a tragic loss. Please keep the Bruce family in your prayers. Arson Investigator DJ Bruce was killed in the line of duty this morning.
Details on experimental drug being used to treat HFD captain battling COVID-19
WOODLANDS, Texas โ A Houston firefighter's family is hoping a new drug will help him win his battle with COVID-19. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, there are four hospitals across the country experimenting with the drug. Now, the company that makes the drug, NeuroRX, says they believe by using it as an injection, it can be used for conditions like bipolar depression and also respiratory distress. The department said they got approval from NeuroRX to get the drug transferred from Houston Methodist to Memorial Hermann in the Woodlands to treat Capt. Pena added that, right now, 96 Houston firefighters are in quarantine and 34 firefighters have tested positive.
Turner says coronavirus is running โrampantโ in Houston with more than 1,500 new cases Monday
HOUSTON โ Mayor Sylvester Turner said that COVID-19 is running rampant in the city of Houston Monday as he announced 1,544 new cases bringing the cityโs total to well over 30,000 cases. Turner was joined by Houstonโs Health Authority Dr. David Persse and Houston Fire Department Chief Sam Peรฑa, among others. Turner said the virus does not discriminate and will impact anyone who is in close proximity to others. Turner said he wants the economy to remain open but said it is important the city deal with the virus. RELATED: Harris County heat map shows coronavirus cases by ZIP codeHe too urged residents to wear masks.
HFD trucks, other vehicles out of service due to staffing shortages caused by pandemic
HOUSTON โ The Houston Fire Department chief said the staff was โmaintaining operationsโ but โstretched thinโ after additional firefighters were quarantined on Monday. Fire Station 68โฒs ladder truck is one of six HFD trucks and other vehicles currently out of service because there arenโt enough firefighters to staff them, said Marty Lancton, HFDโs union president. โOn a perfect day, take COVID out of it, we donโt have the minimum staffing required for each apparatus,โ Lancton said. As expected, residents who live near the fire station said they were unaware of staffing problems at the fire department. Chief Pena said many firefighters are voluntarily working extra shifts to make sure Houston is covered.
Houston mayor, city officials to discuss hospitalizations, number of COVID-19 cases
HOUSTON Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will provide an update on the coronavirus situation in Houston Monday at 3 p.m.KPRC 2 will live stream the event, in which the mayor will speak, along with Dr. David Persse, Houston Fire Chief Sam Pena and Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo. A news release from the mayors office says that the speakers will address the citys COVID-19 response to rising positive numbers and hospitalizations. The update is scheduled to appear in the live stream player at the top of this article when the mayor begins the update. Turner shared this update Monday on social media about wearing masks as we head into the new week.
Mayor Turner, local experts to provide an update on Houstons response to the COVID-19 pandemic Friday
HOUSTON Amid community concerns about the increase in positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, Mayor Sylvester Turner will provide an update on the Citys response to the public health crisis on Friday. Recovery Czar Marvin Odum will join Mayor Turner, along with Peter Hotez, MD, of Baylor College of Medicine, Local Health Authority David Persse, MD, Fire Chief Sam Pena, and Police Chief Art Acevedo at 3 p.m.Look, I have 2.3 million people in the city of Houston that I consider my family, Mayor Turner told CNN. When asked will the rising number of COVID-19 cases scare the people enough to do the right thing, Turner said, Well Im hoping that they are. On Wednesday, there were 5,551 cases reported and on Tuesday, there were 5,489 cases reported, according to data from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. Texas has also seen 2,296 deaths related to coronavirus as of Thursday.
LIVE: Mayor Sylvester Turner to address rise in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations in Houston
HOUSTON Mayor Sylvester Turner will address the rise in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in Houston. The announcement will begin at 3 p.m. where the mayor will give an update on current cases as well. He will be joined by Dr. David Persse and Houston Fire Chief Sam Pena. This is a developing story.
Houston police, fire departments see tighter staffs as coronavirus cases among first responders rise, HFD chief says
HOUSTON As the Houston area grapples with growing coronavirus cases and more urgency from local officials pleading with residents to take it seriously, a public safety issue may also be arising. The citys police and fire departments are seeing tighter staffs as more first responders test positive or are under quarantine. At present, he said there are also 103 officers who are under quarantine for possible exposure. Meanwhile, HFD saw a 140% increase in COVID-19 cases among firefighters and 88 are under quarantine, Pea said. Even the number of emergency calls related to coronavirus that Houston officials are receiving has grown, Pea said.