Saturday, June 30, 2007
"Stafford upholds volunteer removals."
That's the headline from the Free-Lance Star. No, this is not the outcome of the May incident where there were apparently career/volunteer issues at a house fire. Last word is that case is still being "reviewed" and two volunteers remain suspended.
This is a case where there are accusations of drinking and drugs. Here is some of what Meghann Cotter wrote:
Stafford County officials have upheld the removal of three courthouse-area rescue volunteers.
Fire and Rescue Chief Rob Brown banned the chief and two EMTs from running calls after a March investigation revealed a series of rule violations.
The members appealed Brown's decision to the county Fire and Rescue Association. A committee appointed by that board recommended that County Administrator Steve Crosby deny the appeal, which he did.
Cathy Riddle, county spokesperson, declined to offer more information about the decision because it is a personnel matter.
Steve Dove, former chief of the rescue station, also declined to comment, saying the members hadn't decided whether to take further legal action.
He and one of the EMTs is accused of giving alcohol to underage squad members. The other EMT is said to have bought or sold drugs on county property. An e-mail from Brown to a number of county officials says that individual admitted to recreational drug use.
More at fredericksburg.com.
This is a case where there are accusations of drinking and drugs. Here is some of what Meghann Cotter wrote:
Stafford County officials have upheld the removal of three courthouse-area rescue volunteers.
Fire and Rescue Chief Rob Brown banned the chief and two EMTs from running calls after a March investigation revealed a series of rule violations.
The members appealed Brown's decision to the county Fire and Rescue Association. A committee appointed by that board recommended that County Administrator Steve Crosby deny the appeal, which he did.
Cathy Riddle, county spokesperson, declined to offer more information about the decision because it is a personnel matter.
Steve Dove, former chief of the rescue station, also declined to comment, saying the members hadn't decided whether to take further legal action.
He and one of the EMTs is accused of giving alcohol to underage squad members. The other EMT is said to have bought or sold drugs on county property. An e-mail from Brown to a number of county officials says that individual admitted to recreational drug use.
More at fredericksburg.com.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Another Rescue for the D.C. Fire Boat
Maybe not quite as dramatic as Rich Schaffer's recent jump into the Washington Channel, but the D.C. Fire Boat assisted in another rescue from the same body of water. This one occurred on Thursday. The pictures and these details are from DC Fire & EMS spokesman Alan Etter:Around 4:30 PM. we started getting calls from people around the Gangplank Marina that they had seen a young deer in the Washington Channel. MPD Harbor Patrol and the DC Fire Boat responded to the area and looked for about a half-hour. Around H Dock at the Gangplank, the approximately six-month-old female deer was located by several citizens, who summoned police and fire. All helped remove the deer and keep it still until Animal Control responded to sedate the animal. It was then released in Kenilworth Park.
Prince William Fire Chief to IAFC
Firehouse.com reports Prince William County Fire & Rescue Chief Mary Beth Michos is leaving to become deputy executive director of the IAFC. Chief Michos has been in charge in Prince William since 1994.Chief Michos had a long career with Montgomery County. Michos was hired in Montgomery in 1973 as an emergency medical services officer. She was an assistant chief when she left to take the job in Virginia.
In April, Prince William County suffered its first line of duty death when Firefighter Kyle Wilson died during a house fire.
More from firehouse.com.
Mayor: "Chief Thomas' incident command system is a model."
Mayor Joseph Riley is standing behind his fire chief. This is what he told reporters:
"I watched Chief Thomas the night of the fire. I have never seen better evidence of leadership in my life than Chief Thomas in control."
"The spokespeople (referring to those speaking at Wednesday's IAFF news conference) have not been the chiefs and they haven't a run a fire department. And Chief Thomas' incident command system is a model. It's efficient."
Fire Chief Rusty Thomas, who told The Post and Courier, "Our firefighting techniques are not going to change", has apparently modified his stance just a little. According to WCIV-TV Thomas has also said, "I'll never resign". Here are some of his latest statements:
"When the final report comes out from ATF and OSHA and Sled and everything, if we look into the report and our incident command system in some way or another needs to be changed a little bit one way or the other, then we will look into changing it."
"If we had to do it again today in the same situation our guys would do it the same way they did it."
"If we can make improvements to make our department better that's what we will do. It's all about making things better.Whether it's the buildings, whether it's my department. And that's what I have always been done since I have been the chief."
These quotes were transcribed from TV coverage of Thursday's news conference with Mayor Riley and Chief Thomas. WCIV-TV's report is here. WCSC-TV's report is here.
Quotes from IAFF officials and their press conference can be found here.
"I watched Chief Thomas the night of the fire. I have never seen better evidence of leadership in my life than Chief Thomas in control."
"The spokespeople (referring to those speaking at Wednesday's IAFF news conference) have not been the chiefs and they haven't a run a fire department. And Chief Thomas' incident command system is a model. It's efficient."
Fire Chief Rusty Thomas, who told The Post and Courier, "Our firefighting techniques are not going to change", has apparently modified his stance just a little. According to WCIV-TV Thomas has also said, "I'll never resign". Here are some of his latest statements:
"When the final report comes out from ATF and OSHA and Sled and everything, if we look into the report and our incident command system in some way or another needs to be changed a little bit one way or the other, then we will look into changing it."
"If we had to do it again today in the same situation our guys would do it the same way they did it."
"If we can make improvements to make our department better that's what we will do. It's all about making things better.Whether it's the buildings, whether it's my department. And that's what I have always been done since I have been the chief."
These quotes were transcribed from TV coverage of Thursday's news conference with Mayor Riley and Chief Thomas. WCIV-TV's report is here. WCSC-TV's report is here.
Quotes from IAFF officials and their press conference can be found here.
Anyone Want to Walk Across the Street to Cluck U Chicken?
It has probably happened in most every firehouse at one time or another. A box alarm for 1340 Rhode Island Avenue in Northeast Washington at 11:47 this morning. That's the quarters of Engine 26 and Truck 15. At the time, those crews were handling a house fire in at 2201 2nd Street in Northwest.
The first unit on the scene at the firehouse reported fire showing from a window. DC Fire & EMS spokesman Alan Etter confirms it was the kitchen that burned. Etter described it as food left on the stove. It appears lunch burned while the firefighters were handling someone else's blaze.
What were they cooking? We are told it was french fries.
Damage estimate: $100.
I suspect that the real damage is much greater than that and has nothing to do with money. Someone will have to write a lot of reports and someone else is likely to be on the receiving end of a great deal of firehouse humor for many years to come.
"Know Your Enemy" - Aren't They the Same People Who Give Us the Wet Stuff to Put on the Red Stuff?
My old friend Billy Goldfeder, on firehouse.com and elsewhere, has been referring to the National Association of Home Builders as "anti-firefighter". This, because of the group's opposition to residential sprinklers.
In his pitch supporting sprinklers, Azarang Mirkhah recently wrote STATter 911 suggesting that the real enemy in the late Frank Brannigan's "Know Your Enemy" column is not the building, but rather the people who allow the building to be constructed that way.
So, after looking at today's article in Charleston's The Post and Courier, do Billy and Oz and the rest of the fire service now declare some water companies as "anti-firefighter" and the "enemy"?
Reporter Tony Bartelme discovered that, "Charleston Water System, like many utilities nationwide, has expensive fees and requirements that penalize businesses for installing sprinklers".
These fees can run more than 7 times the cost of the sprinkler system installation. The article questions the idea that sprinkler systems negatively "impact" a water system to justify these fees.
I have to admit that in all of the sprinkler stories I have done over the years, not one person in the fire service has told me about these impact fees. Now, I am going to have to check with the local water companies around Washington to see if they also have the fees.
If you are unaware of these fees, the article is a must read.
Update: It only took a day for political leaders to say something isn' right here. Changes now promised on sprinkler impact fees in Charleston.
Also, Ozzie Mirkhah's latest column from firehouse.com.
In his pitch supporting sprinklers, Azarang Mirkhah recently wrote STATter 911 suggesting that the real enemy in the late Frank Brannigan's "Know Your Enemy" column is not the building, but rather the people who allow the building to be constructed that way.
So, after looking at today's article in Charleston's The Post and Courier, do Billy and Oz and the rest of the fire service now declare some water companies as "anti-firefighter" and the "enemy"?
Reporter Tony Bartelme discovered that, "Charleston Water System, like many utilities nationwide, has expensive fees and requirements that penalize businesses for installing sprinklers".
These fees can run more than 7 times the cost of the sprinkler system installation. The article questions the idea that sprinkler systems negatively "impact" a water system to justify these fees.
I have to admit that in all of the sprinkler stories I have done over the years, not one person in the fire service has told me about these impact fees. Now, I am going to have to check with the local water companies around Washington to see if they also have the fees.
If you are unaware of these fees, the article is a must read.
Update: It only took a day for political leaders to say something isn' right here. Changes now promised on sprinkler impact fees in Charleston.
Also, Ozzie Mirkhah's latest column from firehouse.com.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Charleston Union Calls for Changes. Fire Chief says: "Our firefighting techniques are not going to change".
Thirty-three years ago, when I began as a volunteer firefighter in Prince George's County, I didn't know what an "incident commander" was. It was a term we didn't use. Same with "command post".
Things were very simple then. Either the chief, assistant chief, or deputy chief was in charge. The person running the fireground was just as likely to be standing inside the fire next to you as he was walking around in front of the building.
It was also a time when we wore three-quarter length boots, rode the back step of the engine and the side of the ladder truck. And every so often you would see someone walk into a building for a reported structure fire with a booster line. All of our fires eventually went out. Sometimes because of our efforts and sometimes despite our efforts.
Firefighting has come a long way since then. While there are gripes from some about aggressive firefighting tactics being lost in the process, it is hard to argue with systems that require a clear command structure, someone in charge looking at the big picture, personnel accountability on the fireground and a requirement that firefighters wear all of their gear. With rare exception, I see and hear these practices in place every day in the fire departments I cover in and around Washington, D.C.
That is why, like many others, I did a double take last Tuesday morning when I read the caption to this picture from charleston.net.
The comments made to reporters by Chief Thomas and Assistant Chief Larry Garvin indicate that the Charleston way of doing things is very different than the best practices accepted by fire departments across the nation. As far as Chief Thomas is concerned things are apparently going to stay that way. In The Post and Courier today, Thomas told reporter Ron Menchaca, "Our firefighting techniques are not going to change in the City of Charleston Fire Department".
This comes at the same time Roger Yow, the president of the Charleston Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 61, told reporters, "Today I challenge Chief Thomas to work everyday from this day forward and to find ways to improve operating procedures, safety standards for his firefighters".
Larry Osborne, an IAFF vice-president, said: "Were concerned about issues of incident command, unity of command on firegrounds. There are accepted national standards for these things, just as there is for building construction. We are concerned if the chief says we have our own rules and that's what we go by".
You can see excerpts form the press conference from charleston.net and from WCBD-TV.
Michael Parrotta, president of the South Carolina Professional Firefighters Association was also at the Wednesday press conference. As you may have read in yesterday's report, Parrotta told me he stands by the message IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger sent about the planning of last Friday's memorial service in Charleston. The comments from Parrotta and Jim Bowie, Executive Director of the South Carolina Firefighters' Association, show that the two men have little common ground.
Corresponding with a Charleston reporter who has done great work on covering the essential issues of this fire, I wondered if this squabble is part of the bigger picture. If these two sides are so far apart on how to run a memorial service, is it fair to ask if this troubled relationship negatively impacted the ability over the years to put in place modern standards that might have made a difference in the outcome of the fire at the Sofa Super Store?
I don't know the answer to that question. All I know is that I talked to two fire service leaders in South Carolina. Each passionate in their views. Views that are very different.
Things were very simple then. Either the chief, assistant chief, or deputy chief was in charge. The person running the fireground was just as likely to be standing inside the fire next to you as he was walking around in front of the building.
It was also a time when we wore three-quarter length boots, rode the back step of the engine and the side of the ladder truck. And every so often you would see someone walk into a building for a reported structure fire with a booster line. All of our fires eventually went out. Sometimes because of our efforts and sometimes despite our efforts.
Firefighting has come a long way since then. While there are gripes from some about aggressive firefighting tactics being lost in the process, it is hard to argue with systems that require a clear command structure, someone in charge looking at the big picture, personnel accountability on the fireground and a requirement that firefighters wear all of their gear. With rare exception, I see and hear these practices in place every day in the fire departments I cover in and around Washington, D.C.
That is why, like many others, I did a double take last Tuesday morning when I read the caption to this picture from charleston.net.
Yes, the man in the white helmet is THE fire chief for the City of Charleston, Rusty Thomas. Apparently no command post was set up. Just Chief Thomas standing a few feet from the flames.
As we looked a bit closer at some of the other pictures and watched the videos of the fire, we saw firefighters operating without full protective gear and many other things a lot us aren't used to seeing in 2007,The comments made to reporters by Chief Thomas and Assistant Chief Larry Garvin indicate that the Charleston way of doing things is very different than the best practices accepted by fire departments across the nation. As far as Chief Thomas is concerned things are apparently going to stay that way. In The Post and Courier today, Thomas told reporter Ron Menchaca, "Our firefighting techniques are not going to change in the City of Charleston Fire Department".
This comes at the same time Roger Yow, the president of the Charleston Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 61, told reporters, "Today I challenge Chief Thomas to work everyday from this day forward and to find ways to improve operating procedures, safety standards for his firefighters".
Larry Osborne, an IAFF vice-president, said: "Were concerned about issues of incident command, unity of command on firegrounds. There are accepted national standards for these things, just as there is for building construction. We are concerned if the chief says we have our own rules and that's what we go by".
You can see excerpts form the press conference from charleston.net and from WCBD-TV.
Michael Parrotta, president of the South Carolina Professional Firefighters Association was also at the Wednesday press conference. As you may have read in yesterday's report, Parrotta told me he stands by the message IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger sent about the planning of last Friday's memorial service in Charleston. The comments from Parrotta and Jim Bowie, Executive Director of the South Carolina Firefighters' Association, show that the two men have little common ground.
Corresponding with a Charleston reporter who has done great work on covering the essential issues of this fire, I wondered if this squabble is part of the bigger picture. If these two sides are so far apart on how to run a memorial service, is it fair to ask if this troubled relationship negatively impacted the ability over the years to put in place modern standards that might have made a difference in the outcome of the fire at the Sofa Super Store?
I don't know the answer to that question. All I know is that I talked to two fire service leaders in South Carolina. Each passionate in their views. Views that are very different.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
One South Carolina Official Backs Schaitberger's Account of the Memorial Service. Another says None of it is True.
Note: This is a rewrite of Monday's article, adding Michael Parrotta's views of the situation.
"Everything they say is inaccurate. Every single word." That's Jim Bowie's reaction to International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold Schaitberger's assessment of the planning for last Friday's memorial service honoring the 9 firefighters killed in Charleston. Bowie is the Executive Director of the South Carolina State Firefighters' Association.
"Harold Schaitberger's message was 100-per-cent accurate." South Carolina Professional Fire Fighters Association President Michael Parrotta's words on the very same subject. There seems to be little that Bowie and Parrotta, two South Carolina fire service leaders, agree on about last week's events.
On Sunday, STATter 911 first wrote about the message Schaitberger sent to his union's leadership. That email, published on some IAFF affiliated websites, gives Schaitberger's view that the preparations for the memorial service at the Charleston Coliseum were not very "organized and (not) up to the IAFF's normal standards for funerals and memorials". Schaitberger explained that Charleston Fire Chief Rusty Thomas and Mayor Joseph Riley, Jr. are not "labor friendly" and "have resisted any of our planning ideas and have refused all IAFF offers of assistance".
Schaitberger called Charleston an "openly anti-union city that is hostile towards the IAFF".
On Tuesday, Michael Parrotta stood by those remarks. In a phone conversation with STATter 911, Parrotta said that IAFF Local 61 in Charleston has always been met "with a closed door when it comes to Mayor Riley's office." Parrotta said because the union does not have collective bargaining rights, Local 61 has long concentrated on safety issues.
Much of the criticism in the original message focused on Bowie. Schaitberger wrote: "They appointed the president of the state volunteers association, Jim Bowie, to run the entire memorial program. Bowie does not like the IAFF".
In a phone conversation with STATter 911 on Monday, Jim Bowie said his main role was as incident commander for Friday's event. Bowie said that Mayor Riley had final approval for the agenda.
Bowie said he is "infuriated" by the charges. According to Bowie, "IAFF had a seat at the table every single day".
Michael Parrotta agreed that IAFF was in the room, but said any input or assistance they offered was rejected. For example, Parrotta said the IAFF urged that the memorial service be set for a later date. IAFF wanted to allow more firefighters from around the country who wanted to attend to make their way to Charleston.
According to Parrotta, IAFF locals throughout the U.S. sent wreaths and flowers to Charleston, but that those items weren't made part of the ceremony. Parrotta said, "We were not there to take away the program, but only to offer our assistance in any way we could".
Jim Bowie said there were about 150 people involved in the planning of the memorial service. Bowie said it was clear that the IAFF representatives weren't happy that they did not have a leadership role in the process.
But Bowie also pointed out that the IAFF was on the right side of an issue he was involved in last week. At one point during the planning, Bowie wanted Republican presidential candidate Rudolph Giuliani to speak at the service. Bowie now believes it was a mistake to suggest Giuliani as a speaker. Bowie credited the IAFF's Jeff Zack for helping to straighten him out on this issue.
Schaitberger characterized this episode a bit differently in last week's message to IAFF leadership: "Bowie is also the leader of the South Carolina first responders for Giuliani campaign and has attempted to make this memorial a platform for Rudy. We are fighting to keep this from becoming another political platform."
Jim Bowie said that his support of Giuliani is a "personal decision". He pointed out that the chair of the coalition of South Carolina firefighters backing the former New York mayor is actually Croft Fire Department Chief Lewis Hayes.
Bowie denies Schaitberger's claims that he failed to support the 2 -in, 2-out standard in South Carolina. Bowie believes South Carolina's rule of 2-in and 1-out was a compromise position at the time and he would continue to fight for the stronger standard.
Michael Parrotta doesn't believe this. Parrotta said he has seen no indication that Jim Bowie or the South Carolina Firefighters' Association have 2 in, 2 out on their agenda.
As for Harold Schaitberger's claim that Jim Bowie doesn't like Michael Parrotta, Bowie said he hardly knows Parrotta and has nothing negative to say about him.
Michael Parrotta claimed that long before the Charleston tragedy, Bowie refused to speak to him. Parrotta believes that attitude carried over to the planning for the memorial service.
While Bowie and others have criticized Schaitberger's assessment of the memorial service, Parrotta thought it was important for the union president to explain to the membership why they were being excluded from roles in the service.
But Jim Bowie characterized Schaitberger's message this way: "It is a page of untruths, false and inaccurate. I can't imagine anyone writing something like that."
You can find Harold Schaitberger's message, along with a variety of comments from STATter 911 readers here.
"Everything they say is inaccurate. Every single word." That's Jim Bowie's reaction to International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold Schaitberger's assessment of the planning for last Friday's memorial service honoring the 9 firefighters killed in Charleston. Bowie is the Executive Director of the South Carolina State Firefighters' Association.
"Harold Schaitberger's message was 100-per-cent accurate." South Carolina Professional Fire Fighters Association President Michael Parrotta's words on the very same subject. There seems to be little that Bowie and Parrotta, two South Carolina fire service leaders, agree on about last week's events.
On Sunday, STATter 911 first wrote about the message Schaitberger sent to his union's leadership. That email, published on some IAFF affiliated websites, gives Schaitberger's view that the preparations for the memorial service at the Charleston Coliseum were not very "organized and (not) up to the IAFF's normal standards for funerals and memorials". Schaitberger explained that Charleston Fire Chief Rusty Thomas and Mayor Joseph Riley, Jr. are not "labor friendly" and "have resisted any of our planning ideas and have refused all IAFF offers of assistance".
Schaitberger called Charleston an "openly anti-union city that is hostile towards the IAFF".
On Tuesday, Michael Parrotta stood by those remarks. In a phone conversation with STATter 911, Parrotta said that IAFF Local 61 in Charleston has always been met "with a closed door when it comes to Mayor Riley's office." Parrotta said because the union does not have collective bargaining rights, Local 61 has long concentrated on safety issues.
Much of the criticism in the original message focused on Bowie. Schaitberger wrote: "They appointed the president of the state volunteers association, Jim Bowie, to run the entire memorial program. Bowie does not like the IAFF".
In a phone conversation with STATter 911 on Monday, Jim Bowie said his main role was as incident commander for Friday's event. Bowie said that Mayor Riley had final approval for the agenda.
Bowie said he is "infuriated" by the charges. According to Bowie, "IAFF had a seat at the table every single day".
Michael Parrotta agreed that IAFF was in the room, but said any input or assistance they offered was rejected. For example, Parrotta said the IAFF urged that the memorial service be set for a later date. IAFF wanted to allow more firefighters from around the country who wanted to attend to make their way to Charleston.
According to Parrotta, IAFF locals throughout the U.S. sent wreaths and flowers to Charleston, but that those items weren't made part of the ceremony. Parrotta said, "We were not there to take away the program, but only to offer our assistance in any way we could".
Jim Bowie said there were about 150 people involved in the planning of the memorial service. Bowie said it was clear that the IAFF representatives weren't happy that they did not have a leadership role in the process.
But Bowie also pointed out that the IAFF was on the right side of an issue he was involved in last week. At one point during the planning, Bowie wanted Republican presidential candidate Rudolph Giuliani to speak at the service. Bowie now believes it was a mistake to suggest Giuliani as a speaker. Bowie credited the IAFF's Jeff Zack for helping to straighten him out on this issue.
Schaitberger characterized this episode a bit differently in last week's message to IAFF leadership: "Bowie is also the leader of the South Carolina first responders for Giuliani campaign and has attempted to make this memorial a platform for Rudy. We are fighting to keep this from becoming another political platform."
Jim Bowie said that his support of Giuliani is a "personal decision". He pointed out that the chair of the coalition of South Carolina firefighters backing the former New York mayor is actually Croft Fire Department Chief Lewis Hayes.
Bowie denies Schaitberger's claims that he failed to support the 2 -in, 2-out standard in South Carolina. Bowie believes South Carolina's rule of 2-in and 1-out was a compromise position at the time and he would continue to fight for the stronger standard.
Michael Parrotta doesn't believe this. Parrotta said he has seen no indication that Jim Bowie or the South Carolina Firefighters' Association have 2 in, 2 out on their agenda.
As for Harold Schaitberger's claim that Jim Bowie doesn't like Michael Parrotta, Bowie said he hardly knows Parrotta and has nothing negative to say about him.
Michael Parrotta claimed that long before the Charleston tragedy, Bowie refused to speak to him. Parrotta believes that attitude carried over to the planning for the memorial service.
While Bowie and others have criticized Schaitberger's assessment of the memorial service, Parrotta thought it was important for the union president to explain to the membership why they were being excluded from roles in the service.
But Jim Bowie characterized Schaitberger's message this way: "It is a page of untruths, false and inaccurate. I can't imagine anyone writing something like that."
You can find Harold Schaitberger's message, along with a variety of comments from STATter 911 readers here.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Response from South Carolina: "Everything they say is inaccurate."
"Everything they say is inaccurate. Every single word." That's Jim Bowie's reaction to International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold Schaitberger's assessment of the planning for last Friday's memorial service honoring the 9 firefighters killed in Charleston. Bowie is the Executive Director of the South Carolina State Firefighters' Association.
Last week, Schaitberger wrote a message to IAFF leadership explaining why the preparations for the memorial service at the Charleston Coliseum were not very "organized and (not) up to the IAFF's normal standards for funerals and memorials". Schaitberger explained that Charleston Fire Chief Rusty Thomas and Mayor Joseph Riley, Jr. are not "labor friendly" and "have resisted any of our planning ideas and have refused all IAFF offers of assistance".
Schaitberger called Charleston an "openly anti-union city that is hostile towards the IAFF".
Much of the criticism in the message focused on Jim Bowie. Schaitberger wrote: "They appointed the president of the state volunteers association, Jim Bowie, to run the entire memorial program. Bowie does not like the IAFF".
In a phone conversation with STATter 911 on Monday, Jim Bowie said his main role was as incident commander for Friday's event. Bowie said that Mayor Riley had final approval for the agenda.
Bowie said he is "infuriated" by the charges. According to Bowie, "IAFF had a seat at the table every single day".
Jim Bowie said it is true, that during the planning process, he wanted Republican presidential candidate Rudolph Giuliani to speak at the service. Bowie now believes it was a mistake to suggest Giuliani as a speaker. Bowie credited the IAFF's Jeff Zack for helping to straighten him out on this issue.
Schaitberger characterized this episode a bit differently in last week's message to IAFF leadership: "Bowie is also the leader of the South Carolina first responders for Giuliani campaign and has attempted to make this memorial a platform for Rudy. We are fighting to keep this from becoming another political platform."
Jim Bowie said that his support of Giuliani is a "personal decision". He points out that the chair of the coalition of South Carolina firefighters backing the former New York mayor is actually Croft Fire Department Chief Lewis Hayes.
Bowie denies Schaitberger's claims that he failed to support the 2 -in, 2-out standard in South Carolina. Bowie believes South Carolina's rule of 2-in and 1-out was a compromise position at the time and he would continue to fight for the stronger standard.
As for Harold Schaitberger's claim that Bowie doesn't like South Carolina Professional Fire Fighters President Mike Parrotta, Bowie said he hardly knows Parrotta and has nothing negative to say about him.
In summing up, Jim Bowie said this about Schaitberger's message: "It is a page of untruths, false and inaccurate. I can't imagine anyone writing something like that."
(Note: Michael Parrotta called STATter 911, returning our request for a comment from the IAFF. We have not been able to have a conversation, but I will add his thoughts when we do connect.)
You can find Harold Schaitberger's message, along with a variety of comments from STATter 911 readers here.
Last week, Schaitberger wrote a message to IAFF leadership explaining why the preparations for the memorial service at the Charleston Coliseum were not very "organized and (not) up to the IAFF's normal standards for funerals and memorials". Schaitberger explained that Charleston Fire Chief Rusty Thomas and Mayor Joseph Riley, Jr. are not "labor friendly" and "have resisted any of our planning ideas and have refused all IAFF offers of assistance".
Schaitberger called Charleston an "openly anti-union city that is hostile towards the IAFF".
Much of the criticism in the message focused on Jim Bowie. Schaitberger wrote: "They appointed the president of the state volunteers association, Jim Bowie, to run the entire memorial program. Bowie does not like the IAFF".
In a phone conversation with STATter 911 on Monday, Jim Bowie said his main role was as incident commander for Friday's event. Bowie said that Mayor Riley had final approval for the agenda.
Bowie said he is "infuriated" by the charges. According to Bowie, "IAFF had a seat at the table every single day".
Jim Bowie said it is true, that during the planning process, he wanted Republican presidential candidate Rudolph Giuliani to speak at the service. Bowie now believes it was a mistake to suggest Giuliani as a speaker. Bowie credited the IAFF's Jeff Zack for helping to straighten him out on this issue.
Schaitberger characterized this episode a bit differently in last week's message to IAFF leadership: "Bowie is also the leader of the South Carolina first responders for Giuliani campaign and has attempted to make this memorial a platform for Rudy. We are fighting to keep this from becoming another political platform."
Jim Bowie said that his support of Giuliani is a "personal decision". He points out that the chair of the coalition of South Carolina firefighters backing the former New York mayor is actually Croft Fire Department Chief Lewis Hayes.
Bowie denies Schaitberger's claims that he failed to support the 2 -in, 2-out standard in South Carolina. Bowie believes South Carolina's rule of 2-in and 1-out was a compromise position at the time and he would continue to fight for the stronger standard.
As for Harold Schaitberger's claim that Bowie doesn't like South Carolina Professional Fire Fighters President Mike Parrotta, Bowie said he hardly knows Parrotta and has nothing negative to say about him.
In summing up, Jim Bowie said this about Schaitberger's message: "It is a page of untruths, false and inaccurate. I can't imagine anyone writing something like that."
(Note: Michael Parrotta called STATter 911, returning our request for a comment from the IAFF. We have not been able to have a conversation, but I will add his thoughts when we do connect.)
You can find Harold Schaitberger's message, along with a variety of comments from STATter 911 readers here.
Schaitberger: City of Charleston Refused Help from IAFF & IAFC
STATter 911 began hearing on Thursday that there was tension between City of Charleston officials and the IAFF. The difficulties prompted IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger to send out a message last week to IAFF leadership making sure the membership understood that Friday's memorial service was not an IAFF run event.
Schaitberger pointed out that the memorial service was organized by Jim Bowie, Executive Director of the South Carolina State Firefighters' Association. Schaitberger wrote that they have tangled in the past with Jim Bowie. According to Schaitberger, "Bowie does not like the IAFF, our state association or its president Mike Parrotta, because Mike has fought to improve standards in the state".
In the message, Schaitberger also said that Mayor Joseph Riley and Fire Chief Rusty Thomas are not "labor friendly" in what is an "openly anti-union city".
Despite getting this message on Thursday night, our judgement was not to run it until after the memorial service had been held. IAFF Assistant Press Secretary Bill Glanz also suggested in an email on Friday that STATter 911 not publish this until Saturday or Monday :
"... it wasn't meant for distribution beyond our internal structure. It was in response to significant questions about why certain decisions were made about the service that made many fire fighters unhappy because they can't attend or participate in the manner the fire service is used to. It would be inappropriate for it to be published outside while these funerals are going on."
Since then we discovered the message has been published on websites operated by IAFF locals and state organizations:
Local 1974
UPFFA of Connecticut
We have emailed a City of Charleston spokesperson looking for comments from Mayor Joe Riley, Chief Rusty Thomas or other officials. We have emailed Jim Bowie looking for his reaction. We have also requested comment from the IAFC.
Here is Harold Schaitberger's message:
Dear IAFF Leadership:
We are already hearing from our Leadership as well as many of our disappointed Brothers and Sisters from across the continent that the memorial service for the nine Charleston fire fighters, who died in the line of duty Monday evening, doesn't seem to be very organized and up to the IAFF’s normal standards for funerals and memorials.
The reason for this is simple. The IAFF is not in charge of this service. Let me be very clear and frank about the situation in Charleston. This is an openly anti-union city that is hostile towards the IAFF. The Chief and Mayor are not, as an understatement, labor friendly and believe they can do everything themselves. The Chief refused all assistance from the IAFC, and even refused assistance of the state USAR team.
The Chief and the Mayor have resisted any of our planning ideas and have refused all IAFF offers of assistance. They appointed the president of the state volunteers association, Jim Bowie, to run the entire memorial program. Bowie does not like the IAFF, our state association or its president Mike Parrotta, because Mike has fought to improve standards in the state. In fact, Bowie has been lobbying for lower (more volunteer friendly) standards. Bowie led the charge against the 2 in 2 out standard helping to establish the 2-in-1-out rule that prevails in South Carolina (the only state in the nation that doesn't follow OSHA standards of 2-in-2-out), and Bowie lobbied to make sure many buildings in the state were not required to be retrofitted for sprinklers.
Bowie is also the leader of the South Carolina first responders for Giuliani campaign and has attempted to make this memorial a platform for Rudy. We are fighting to keep this from becoming another political platform.
Regardless, we have our 12th District Vice President Larry Osborne, Mike Parrotta, and senior staff Jeff Zack, Rich Duffy and Pat Morrison on the ground and weighing in where they can. They are spending their time assisting Local 61 and our fallen families, but they are running into a brick wall on all decisions related to the memorial. Because of the situation, we also have limited access to the VIP area. Only principal officers, district vice presidents, and the South Carolina state leadership will have official access.
Bowie is making ALL of the decisions regarding this memorial. He has only allowed us to attend meetings where they are simply announcing the decisions that have been made. And he has summarily rejected any and all advice we have provided at every turn -- including that trying to do this memorial on Friday is way too soon.
We were informed that the FDNY Pipe and Drums had been invited by the Charleston Fire Department to play in the ceremony and that no other pipe bands would be allowed to play. If we had been involved, we would have coordinated the participation of other pipe bands. We were not party to or involved in this decision.
I ask the IAFF state and provincial presidents, in the states or provincials where there are pipe and drum corps or honor guards, to please contact these organizations to let them know that the IAFF had no control over the planning of this event.
This memo is meant to be very direct. I don't want us to pull any punches with our leadership or members on this unfortunate situation. When you hear a complaint from an affiliate, member, honor guard, pipe or drummer about this memorial, make sure to inform them that the IAFF has not been permitted to plan or to make any of the decisions regarding this event.
Fraternally,
Harold A. Schaitberger
General President
International Association of Fire Fighters
1750 New York Ave. N.W.
Washington D.C. 20006
Schaitberger pointed out that the memorial service was organized by Jim Bowie, Executive Director of the South Carolina State Firefighters' Association. Schaitberger wrote that they have tangled in the past with Jim Bowie. According to Schaitberger, "Bowie does not like the IAFF, our state association or its president Mike Parrotta, because Mike has fought to improve standards in the state".
In the message, Schaitberger also said that Mayor Joseph Riley and Fire Chief Rusty Thomas are not "labor friendly" in what is an "openly anti-union city".
Despite getting this message on Thursday night, our judgement was not to run it until after the memorial service had been held. IAFF Assistant Press Secretary Bill Glanz also suggested in an email on Friday that STATter 911 not publish this until Saturday or Monday :
"... it wasn't meant for distribution beyond our internal structure. It was in response to significant questions about why certain decisions were made about the service that made many fire fighters unhappy because they can't attend or participate in the manner the fire service is used to. It would be inappropriate for it to be published outside while these funerals are going on."
Since then we discovered the message has been published on websites operated by IAFF locals and state organizations:
Local 1974
UPFFA of Connecticut
We have emailed a City of Charleston spokesperson looking for comments from Mayor Joe Riley, Chief Rusty Thomas or other officials. We have emailed Jim Bowie looking for his reaction. We have also requested comment from the IAFC.
Here is Harold Schaitberger's message:
Dear IAFF Leadership:
We are already hearing from our Leadership as well as many of our disappointed Brothers and Sisters from across the continent that the memorial service for the nine Charleston fire fighters, who died in the line of duty Monday evening, doesn't seem to be very organized and up to the IAFF’s normal standards for funerals and memorials.
The reason for this is simple. The IAFF is not in charge of this service. Let me be very clear and frank about the situation in Charleston. This is an openly anti-union city that is hostile towards the IAFF. The Chief and Mayor are not, as an understatement, labor friendly and believe they can do everything themselves. The Chief refused all assistance from the IAFC, and even refused assistance of the state USAR team.
The Chief and the Mayor have resisted any of our planning ideas and have refused all IAFF offers of assistance. They appointed the president of the state volunteers association, Jim Bowie, to run the entire memorial program. Bowie does not like the IAFF, our state association or its president Mike Parrotta, because Mike has fought to improve standards in the state. In fact, Bowie has been lobbying for lower (more volunteer friendly) standards. Bowie led the charge against the 2 in 2 out standard helping to establish the 2-in-1-out rule that prevails in South Carolina (the only state in the nation that doesn't follow OSHA standards of 2-in-2-out), and Bowie lobbied to make sure many buildings in the state were not required to be retrofitted for sprinklers.
Bowie is also the leader of the South Carolina first responders for Giuliani campaign and has attempted to make this memorial a platform for Rudy. We are fighting to keep this from becoming another political platform.
Regardless, we have our 12th District Vice President Larry Osborne, Mike Parrotta, and senior staff Jeff Zack, Rich Duffy and Pat Morrison on the ground and weighing in where they can. They are spending their time assisting Local 61 and our fallen families, but they are running into a brick wall on all decisions related to the memorial. Because of the situation, we also have limited access to the VIP area. Only principal officers, district vice presidents, and the South Carolina state leadership will have official access.
Bowie is making ALL of the decisions regarding this memorial. He has only allowed us to attend meetings where they are simply announcing the decisions that have been made. And he has summarily rejected any and all advice we have provided at every turn -- including that trying to do this memorial on Friday is way too soon.
We were informed that the FDNY Pipe and Drums had been invited by the Charleston Fire Department to play in the ceremony and that no other pipe bands would be allowed to play. If we had been involved, we would have coordinated the participation of other pipe bands. We were not party to or involved in this decision.
I ask the IAFF state and provincial presidents, in the states or provincials where there are pipe and drum corps or honor guards, to please contact these organizations to let them know that the IAFF had no control over the planning of this event.
This memo is meant to be very direct. I don't want us to pull any punches with our leadership or members on this unfortunate situation. When you hear a complaint from an affiliate, member, honor guard, pipe or drummer about this memorial, make sure to inform them that the IAFF has not been permitted to plan or to make any of the decisions regarding this event.
Fraternally,
Harold A. Schaitberger
General President
International Association of Fire Fighters
1750 New York Ave. N.W.
Washington D.C. 20006
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Charleston: Newspaper Focuses on Incident Command and Steel Trusses. The View from Oz on the "Real Enemy".
The tragic fire in South Carolina has had a lot of us wondering over the last week about policies and procedures in the City of Charleston Fire Department. In emails and phone conversations I have had with many in the fire service, the areas of concern included, incident command, the identification of a steel truss and firefighters without gear.
Since last Monday night I have been passing along pictures, videos and personal accounts that focused on the early stages of the fire. Almost all of these raised eyebrows for one reason or another.
Reporters from The Post and Courier now put into words what a lot of us have been thinking. One article, from Friday, focuses on the danger of steel trusses. The second, on Sunday, looks at the command issues.
The articles are well worth reading.
On the issue of building contruction and sprinklers, I have heard from Azarang Mirkhah, Fire Protection Engineer for Las Vegas Fire & Rescue. Many of you know Oz from his columns at firehouse.com. Oz brings up Frank Brannigan:
This recent fire tragedy in Charleston reminded me of the legendary Francis Brannigan's (whom I admire immensely) statement: “When a combustible structure is involved in fire, the building is the enemy, and you must know the enemy.” As you know, Brannigan also had a famous column, “Know Your Enemy.” It was a catchy title, but I believe rather inaccurate. I must say, though, that I disagree with Brannigan. The building is an object, not our enemy. I believe our real enemy are the ones who allow such buildings to be built with little regard for the occupants safety, and even less regard for the firefighters safety. It is time to face that enemy and change our construction codes to better protect the occupants and our own. We must engrave this message in every firefighters mind: “Fire Sprinklers Save Firefighters’ Lives, Too.”
I am sure if Frank were still alive, I would have been up to his apartment this past week, getting his rapid fire views on the Charleston tragedy.
The most recent column from Oz is here.
Also, Oz pointed me toward another apparent sprinkler success story that may be relevant to the Charleston tragedy. It is from Ormond Beach, Florida and can be found here.
Since last Monday night I have been passing along pictures, videos and personal accounts that focused on the early stages of the fire. Almost all of these raised eyebrows for one reason or another.
Reporters from The Post and Courier now put into words what a lot of us have been thinking. One article, from Friday, focuses on the danger of steel trusses. The second, on Sunday, looks at the command issues.
The articles are well worth reading.
On the issue of building contruction and sprinklers, I have heard from Azarang Mirkhah, Fire Protection Engineer for Las Vegas Fire & Rescue. Many of you know Oz from his columns at firehouse.com. Oz brings up Frank Brannigan:
This recent fire tragedy in Charleston reminded me of the legendary Francis Brannigan's (whom I admire immensely) statement: “When a combustible structure is involved in fire, the building is the enemy, and you must know the enemy.” As you know, Brannigan also had a famous column, “Know Your Enemy.” It was a catchy title, but I believe rather inaccurate. I must say, though, that I disagree with Brannigan. The building is an object, not our enemy. I believe our real enemy are the ones who allow such buildings to be built with little regard for the occupants safety, and even less regard for the firefighters safety. It is time to face that enemy and change our construction codes to better protect the occupants and our own. We must engrave this message in every firefighters mind: “Fire Sprinklers Save Firefighters’ Lives, Too.”
I am sure if Frank were still alive, I would have been up to his apartment this past week, getting his rapid fire views on the Charleston tragedy.
The most recent column from Oz is here.
Also, Oz pointed me toward another apparent sprinkler success story that may be relevant to the Charleston tragedy. It is from Ormond Beach, Florida and can be found here.
ATF Discloses Origin of Charleston Fire.
The ATF findings are consistent with the reporting so far, that the fire started in the loading dock area. No official cause has been given.
More at charleston.net and WCBD-TV.
More at charleston.net and WCBD-TV.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Interactive Map for Charleston Fire.
For a better understanding of the layout of the Sofa Super Store, take a look at this interactive map on charleston.net. It shows you where the fire started, where the employee was trapped and where in the store each of the bodies was discovered.Friday, June 22, 2007
Charleston Update: Memorial Service. Assistant Chief Thought it was Under Control. Fireground Radio Transmissions.
LATEST NEWS & INFORMATION:
Click here to look at the program for the "Charleston Fire Department Memorial Service" at the North Charleston Coliseum.
More pre-collapse pictures, like the one above, from zen-grafix.com.
My friend Susan Nicol Kyle with firehouse.com rushed from the MSFA Convention in Ocean City, Maryland to Charleston and has a one-on-one interview with Fire Chief Rusty Thomas.
Talking with Barry McConaghey of firefightingnews.com today, he points me to a story he added to his site on Wednesday . A fire in California in a somewhat similar building as the one in Charleston. But there was a big difference.
EARLY PICTURES, VIDEO AND TIMELINE:
A man named John Pundt has captured some of the earliest moments of the tragic Charleston fire. That's his picture above. It appears to be taken in the minutes between the violent flashover and the collapse.
Pundt also has video from his cell phone. All of it is from the front of the building. It shows the conditions going from light smoke, to dark smoke to heavy fire. It ends before the collapse occurs. Pundt's video and pictures were filed with charleston.net.
There is also the account of Jonathan Tyrrell III on charleston.net. He was the man rescued by firefighters in the moments before the flashover and collapse. The video we first alerted you to on Tuesday, taken by Howard Armstrong, apparently shows the efforts the firefighters made to get to Tyrrell. The first shot of the video shows a firefighter with an axe trying to get through a roll-up door. A hose line is apparently being used to keep the area cool. According to the article, the firefighters eventually created a hole large enough for Tyrrell to crawl through to safety.
A TV interview with Tyrrell can be found here.
Besides the Pundt and Armstrong material, this AP photo by Alexander Fox is among the first pictures taken as Charleston firefighters arrived at the Sofa Super Store Monday night.
Click here to look at the program for the "Charleston Fire Department Memorial Service" at the North Charleston Coliseum.
About 20 minutes after the service in Charleston ended I had a phone conversation with D.C. Fire & EMS Chief Dennis Rubin. Chief Rubin said, for him, it was the procession of caskets from the Charleston Coliseum that illustrated the enormity of this tragedy. With a firefighter dying in the line of duty about every 78 hours, Rubin said he has been to his share of funerals. But to see 9 flag draped caskets was overwhelming.
Rubin said he, IAFF Local 36 President Dan Dugan, and the almost 100 firefighters on hand from D.C., had about five minutes with Charleston Fire Chief Rusty Thomas. Rubin said Chief Thomas was touched by the $45,000 check for the families of the fallen firefighters. The money came from an anonymous donor in Washington.
Incident commander says, "I had all the confidence in the world that we had it under control."
Assistant Chief Larry Garvin on charleston.net:
Certain that the fire could be contained with teams now on the inside and the outside, Garvin left the showroom when he heard a dispatcher say a store employee was trapped in the warehouse. To get to him, Garvin took off on a 100-yard trip around the back of the building.
"We did everything that we were trained to do. All the safety procedures were followed. I never would have told any of those firefighters to go in there if I thought they were in danger."
911 calls and fireground radio transmissions have been released.
Details from charleston.net and WCBD-TV.
Union official angry.
The president of the South Carolina Professional Firefighters Association says he is angry and sad. Michael Parrotta is speaking out about the loss of 9 firefighters in Charleston. Below is an excerpt from the article on charleston.net.
Michael A. Parrotta, president of the South Carolina Professional Firefighters Association, said firefighters should not have been in the building unless they were actively searching for civilians based on reliable information.
"To lose nine lives in this fire is totally unacceptable," he said. "It's a needless, needless tragedy. I'm angry and I'm sad."
Parrotta said he understands that families are still in the early stage of grieving, but he said he feels an obligation to ask on behalf of rank-and-file firefighters whether procedures were followed on the scene. "People feel it's in poor taste to ask these questions so soon. We can't forget this. We have to find out what happened."
Bill Schumm at firegeezer.com alerted me that Parrotta made similar comments to Fox News Channel earlier in the week.
Thursday's briefing from ATF at the fire scene via WCSC-TV
More pre-collapse pictures, like the one above, from zen-grafix.com.My friend Susan Nicol Kyle with firehouse.com rushed from the MSFA Convention in Ocean City, Maryland to Charleston and has a one-on-one interview with Fire Chief Rusty Thomas.
Talking with Barry McConaghey of firefightingnews.com today, he points me to a story he added to his site on Wednesday . A fire in California in a somewhat similar building as the one in Charleston. But there was a big difference.
EARLY PICTURES, VIDEO AND TIMELINE:
A man named John Pundt has captured some of the earliest moments of the tragic Charleston fire. That's his picture above. It appears to be taken in the minutes between the violent flashover and the collapse.
Pundt also has video from his cell phone. All of it is from the front of the building. It shows the conditions going from light smoke, to dark smoke to heavy fire. It ends before the collapse occurs. Pundt's video and pictures were filed with charleston.net.
There is also the account of Jonathan Tyrrell III on charleston.net. He was the man rescued by firefighters in the moments before the flashover and collapse. The video we first alerted you to on Tuesday, taken by Howard Armstrong, apparently shows the efforts the firefighters made to get to Tyrrell. The first shot of the video shows a firefighter with an axe trying to get through a roll-up door. A hose line is apparently being used to keep the area cool. According to the article, the firefighters eventually created a hole large enough for Tyrrell to crawl through to safety.
A TV interview with Tyrrell can be found here.
Besides the Pundt and Armstrong material, this AP photo by Alexander Fox is among the first pictures taken as Charleston firefighters arrived at the Sofa Super Store Monday night.Above is a timeline by charleston.net that shows approximately five minutes between flashover and the major collapse.
LINKS TO MORE STORIES:
Wednesday interview with Charleston Fire Chief Rusty Thomas.
Raw video of Wednesday's press conference with coroner.
WCBD-TV talks with sole survivor of Engine 16.
Some early video and still pictures from WCIV-TV.
More on the Howard Armstrong video here.
A noon press conference by ATF can be found here.
Latest information from the City of Charleston.
LOCAL INFORMATION & STORIES:
Locally, an anonymous donor in Washington has provided 45 thousand dollars in the name of D.C. Fire & EMS to be given to the families of the fallen firefighters in Charleston. Chief Dennis Rubin is planning to take the check with him on Friday as he heads to Charleston for the memorial service. A press release says that nearly 100 D.C. Fire & EMS members are expected to be at the service. This includes the DC Fire & EMS Honor Guard and Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Band.
Of course there are a lot more local firefighters heading south for the memorial service. Mike Mohler and Joel Kobersteen from IAFF Local 2068 said a contingent of Fairfax County, Fairfax City and New Hampshire firefighters were traveling overnight, leaving from the Massey Building.
Pete Piringer from Montgomery County says the Department's Honor Guard left Wednesday night with a group from Baltimore.
Interviews with Hal Bruno and Cathy Hedrick of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Safety Stand Down with Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department.
Our interview with Chief Greg Cade a few hours before Charleston fire.
Latest on Charleston; 911 Recordings from Lorton Fire; Rescue Caught on Tape.
CHARLESTON UPDATE
Each day, STATter 911 has been compiling the latest news from Charleston, along with the best pictures, videos and information from the early stages of Monday's tragic fire. All of that can be found here. Among the most recent items are a personal account from the incident commander, fireground radio transmissions and a program from the today's memorial service.
911 CALLS FROM LORTON, VA FIRE
We also have an update on last month's fire in Lorton, Virginia. The fire has been the subject of a review to help figure out why firefighters were unable to rescue a woman trapped on the third floor. On Thursday, STATter 911 obtained the 911 recordings from that call. Our coverage can be found here.
D.C. FIREFIGHTER RESCUES WOMAN IN WASHINGTON CHANNEL
Firefighter Rich Schaffer's efforts caught on video as he takes the plunge to rescue a woman. Details and video here.
JUDY LAU
Links to information on the death of first woman to head the Prince George's County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association.
Because of extensive coverage of the Charleston fire we have not been able to get to some other stories this week. We hope to revisit these stories next week, including some pictures from the MSFA Convention.
Each day, STATter 911 has been compiling the latest news from Charleston, along with the best pictures, videos and information from the early stages of Monday's tragic fire. All of that can be found here. Among the most recent items are a personal account from the incident commander, fireground radio transmissions and a program from the today's memorial service.
911 CALLS FROM LORTON, VA FIRE
We also have an update on last month's fire in Lorton, Virginia. The fire has been the subject of a review to help figure out why firefighters were unable to rescue a woman trapped on the third floor. On Thursday, STATter 911 obtained the 911 recordings from that call. Our coverage can be found here.
D.C. FIREFIGHTER RESCUES WOMAN IN WASHINGTON CHANNEL
Firefighter Rich Schaffer's efforts caught on video as he takes the plunge to rescue a woman. Details and video here.
JUDY LAU
Links to information on the death of first woman to head the Prince George's County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association.
Because of extensive coverage of the Charleston fire we have not been able to get to some other stories this week. We hope to revisit these stories next week, including some pictures from the MSFA Convention.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
STATter 911 Exclusive: 911 Recordings from Lorton, VA Fire
Late today, STATter 911 received the 911 recordings from the May 23rd fatal fire in Lorton, Virginia. This is the fire where Interim Fairfax County Fire Chief David Rohr said crews "should have found" 49 year old Debra Chiles.
So far, officials have not been able to say why, with the relatively small amount of fire, the body of Debra Chiles was not found until more than a half-hour after firefighters arrived on the scene. The body was eventually discovered exactly where Chiles said she was -- the third floor bathroom.
Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department spokesman Dan Schmidt said today that a post-incident analysis of the fire is continuing. Schmidt previously confirmed that a critique was recently held with the companies involved in the incident.
The 911 recordings, released through a Freedom of Information Act request, include the final words of Debra Chiles. The third conversation with 911, as Chiles is overcome by the smoke, is very difficult to listen to. We have aired only a very small portion of this call in an effort to shed some light on what happened May 23rd.
You can listen to the first two conversations Debra Chiles had with 911 and a neighbor's 911 call here.
For my 6:00 p.m. report click here.
For our previous coverage of this incident, including a timeline of events, click here.
In the next couple of weeks we will have the fireground transmissions for you.
So far, officials have not been able to say why, with the relatively small amount of fire, the body of Debra Chiles was not found until more than a half-hour after firefighters arrived on the scene. The body was eventually discovered exactly where Chiles said she was -- the third floor bathroom.
Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department spokesman Dan Schmidt said today that a post-incident analysis of the fire is continuing. Schmidt previously confirmed that a critique was recently held with the companies involved in the incident.
The 911 recordings, released through a Freedom of Information Act request, include the final words of Debra Chiles. The third conversation with 911, as Chiles is overcome by the smoke, is very difficult to listen to. We have aired only a very small portion of this call in an effort to shed some light on what happened May 23rd.
You can listen to the first two conversations Debra Chiles had with 911 and a neighbor's 911 call here.
For my 6:00 p.m. report click here.
For our previous coverage of this incident, including a timeline of events, click here.
In the next couple of weeks we will have the fireground transmissions for you.
Firefighter Jumps into Water to Save Woman. Rescue Caught on Tape
Just a quick break from the tragedy in Charleston, to bring you a little good news. Security cameras at the dock for the D.C. Fire Boat and the Metropolitan Police Harbor Patrol caught the efforts Monday night of Firefighter Rich Schaffer.
Schaffer was alone in quarters on the dock when he saw a woman jump into the Washington Channel. His efforts saved the woman.
Click here for the security camera video.
Click here for my story with Rich Schaffer.
Thanks to MPD Lt. Paul Niepling, Sgt. Joe Gentile and Chief Cathy Lanier for helping us cut through the red tape to show you this rescue.
Schaffer was alone in quarters on the dock when he saw a woman jump into the Washington Channel. His efforts saved the woman.
Click here for the security camera video.
Click here for my story with Rich Schaffer.
Thanks to MPD Lt. Paul Niepling, Sgt. Joe Gentile and Chief Cathy Lanier for helping us cut through the red tape to show you this rescue.
Judy Lau
We heard the news Tuesday morning while at the MSFA Convention in Ocean City that Judy Lau had died. Among other things, Judy was the past president of the Prince George's County Fire and Rescue Association. She was the first woman to hold that position and the first woman on the MSFA Executive Committee.Here are some links to learn more about Judy Lau. You will also find details on funeral arrangements:
Prince George's County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association.
Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department.
Laurel Volunteer Fire Department.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Charleston Update: New Raw Video Taken During Fires Early Moments
This video appears to be, so far, the earliest pictures we've seen of Monday night's fire in Charleston. It is from a Charleston videographer named Howard Armstrong.
The first shots show a firefighter, without gear, using an axe on what appears to be a roll-up door at a loading dock. An engine crew, in gear, has a hose line and trains it on the door. A PASS alarm can be heard.
The next shot is from side A. At this point, you can hear the air horns sounding. Fire is rolling out the front windows of the building. You also hear glass breaking. At least two firefighters help a third firefighter off the ground and away from side A. Seconds later, you can see the collapse of either the burning ceiling inside a display window or the underside of the overhang above the windows. It is hard to tell.
The photographer then shows firefighters being treated by EMS. In one of the next shots you can see the large collapse area to the right of what appears to be the main entrance.
The first shots show a firefighter, without gear, using an axe on what appears to be a roll-up door at a loading dock. An engine crew, in gear, has a hose line and trains it on the door. A PASS alarm can be heard.
The next shot is from side A. At this point, you can hear the air horns sounding. Fire is rolling out the front windows of the building. You also hear glass breaking. At least two firefighters help a third firefighter off the ground and away from side A. Seconds later, you can see the collapse of either the burning ceiling inside a display window or the underside of the overhang above the windows. It is hard to tell.
The photographer then shows firefighters being treated by EMS. In one of the next shots you can see the large collapse area to the right of what appears to be the main entrance.
I am told to expect a press conference Wednesday morning from the coroner with some details of the autopsies. The memorial service is scheduled for Friday.
On Tuesday, 9News Now reporter Jennifer Ryan spent time with Fairfax County Fire & Rescue crews as they participated in the 2007 Safety Stand Down. The firefighters talked about the tragedy in Charleston and a recent "near miss" in Franconia during a townhouse fire.
Jennifer also talked with Cathy Hedrick of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Cathy lost her firefighter son, Kenny, during a fire in Prince George's County 15 years ago. Cathy had been here in Ocean City for the MSFA Convention and rushed back to town to help coordinate efforts to support the Charleston firefighters.
NFFF Executive Director Ron Siarnicki and Chairman of the Board Hal Bruno have dispatched John Proels to Charleston. Siarnicki told me Tuesday night that Proels will be joined by others, including a contingent from New York.
Tuesday evening, Nancy Yamada talked with Hal Bruno and spent time with firefighters from D.C. Engine 20 and Truck 12. She was at the firehouse during the 7:00 p.m. moment of silence.
At the same time, I was emceeing the installation of officers at the MSFA Convention. We stopped the ceremony at 7:00 p.m. to honor those lost in Charleston.
Here are some of the other links we have been providing since Monday evening:
The latest from Charleston.
Raw video from press conference with Mayor Riley, Fire Chief Thomas and Coroner Wooten.
Noon coverage from WCSC-TV.
IAFC President calls for 7:00 p.m. moment of silence.
Information from IAFF.
Fire video showing secondary collapse.
7 a.m. press conference with Mayor Joe Riley.
Noon coverage from WCSC-TV.
IAFC President calls for 7:00 p.m. moment of silence.
Information from IAFF.
Fire video showing secondary collapse.
7 a.m. press conference with Mayor Joe Riley.
Raw video of fire
The fire comes just hours after our interview with Chief Greg Cade who is poised to take over the U.S. Fire Administration. In Ocean City, MD where he spoke at the Maryland State Firemen's Association Convention, Cade told STATter 911 that his priority is firefighter safety. Cade plans to continue the efforts to reduce firefighter fatalities by 50 per cent. More here.
Raw Video from Charleston Fire -- At least 7 Firefighters Reported Dead.
WCBD-TV has unedited video of the fire in Charleston, SC where, at 2:00 a.m., it appears at least 7 firefighters have died. The video starts as the photographer works his way up to the scene.
By the time the photographer is close to the building the collapse has already occurred. It appears to be a very chaotic scene at that point with people in civilian clothing pulling hose lines.
By the time the photographer is close to the building the collapse has already occurred. It appears to be a very chaotic scene at that point with people in civilian clothing pulling hose lines.
Monday, June 18, 2007
TV Station Reports As Many As 7 Firefighters Missing in SC Furniture Store Fire
One TV station reports 2 firefighters missing at a fire this evening at the Sofa Superstore on Route 17. Another quotes long-time Charleston Mayor Joe Riley as saying "several local firefighters" are missing.
Some early still pictures on WCBD-TV's website.
UPDATE: At 11:00 p.m. a reporter at WCSC-TV said, "as many as 6 firefighters" have been killed in this fire. There is video and more details here. Witness claims to have heard firefighters last words on radio.
UPATE: At 11:46 p.m. WCSC-TV's website claims "as many as 7 firefighters" missing following a collapse of the furniture store.
More pictures and details at charleston.net
Some early still pictures on WCBD-TV's website.
UPDATE: At 11:00 p.m. a reporter at WCSC-TV said, "as many as 6 firefighters" have been killed in this fire. There is video and more details here. Witness claims to have heard firefighters last words on radio.
UPATE: At 11:46 p.m. WCSC-TV's website claims "as many as 7 firefighters" missing following a collapse of the furniture store.
More pictures and details at charleston.net
Cade Speaks to MSFA Convention
Greg Cade with MSFA Convention Chairman Leonard KingGreg Cade didn't hesitate when he was asked about plans for his new job: "To continue Dave Paulison's efforts to reduce firefighter deaths by 50 per cent."
It isn't Chief Cade's only goal as he is waiting to be sworn in to lead the U.S. Fire Administration, but Cade made it clear that the safety of firefighters will be at the top of his list.
Cade was in familiar territory in Ocean City for the Maryland State Firemen's Association Convention. Backstage Monday morning, getting ready for his speech to help open the event, Greg Cade was greeted by old friends. Many of them people he worked with as both a volunteer and a career firefighter in Prince George's County.
The well-wishers included a group from the Glenn Dale Volunteer Fire Department. Cade pointed out that when he joined Glenn Dale in 1968, the requirements weren't much more than someone telling him to pick out some gear that fits and to get on the firetruck when the siren went off.
Today, the requirements to be a volunteer firefighter are much greater and are one of the challenges of a system where "normal, everyday citizens help protect the community." Cade expects to do what he can from a national level to support the volunteers across the U.S.
When asked about the sometimes rocky relationship between career and volunteer firefighters, Cade points out that his own career has been spent working in and leading combined systems. Cade said, "if I had a dime for each time someone told me the volunteers are going to go away, I'd be a very rich man."
Greg Cade remembered, much earlier in his career, a longtime President of the Prince George's County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association telling him, "the volunteers are going to be here until they decide not to be here".
Cade talked a lot about data collection. He is hoping, through the internet and other sources, that USFA will be able to quickly provide the important information fire chiefs and firefighters need to get the job done.
Greg Cade said he is eager to get started. Today, though, was a chance to relax and talk with firefighters and their families. With his coat and tie off, Chief Cade and his wife Debbie strolled along the booths setup at the Ocean City Convention Center.
Looking at all the firefighting memorabilia on display, Debbie Cade laughed and joked that before they move to Washington, "maybe this is a way to sell off all of the stuff Greg has gathered during his career".
Greg Cade with Montgomery County Fire Chief Tom Carr
Firefighter's Home Burns While He is at Convention
A firefighter taking a break and enjoying the Maryland State Firemen's Association Convention in Ocean City had to race home pretty quickly today. He learned that his home in Queen Anne's County was on fire.
According to sources familiar with the situation, the fire damaged the firefighter's garage and house. The firefighter is a member of the United Communities Volunteer Fire Department in Stevensville. He is also a career firefighter in Montgomery County, MD.
We are told no one was injured in the fire.
According to sources familiar with the situation, the fire damaged the firefighter's garage and house. The firefighter is a member of the United Communities Volunteer Fire Department in Stevensville. He is also a career firefighter in Montgomery County, MD.
We are told no one was injured in the fire.
STATter 911: The Beach Edition
Ocean City Beach Patrol Captain Butch Arbin (crouching on the left) talks to witnesses trying to get more information about the 19-year-old Lanham, MD man who disappeared in the surf near 31st Street on Sunday. The photos of the search are by Chris Casale of Breaking News Network. You can see more pictures and get details at wusa9.com and by subscribing to Alan Henney's weekly beach report, The Rehoboth Weekend Update.I will be checking in from Ocean City at the Maryland State Firemen's Association Convention, today and Tuesday, with news and pictures. For now, a look at some of the fire and EMS issues making news at the beach.
In the wake of the dispute between the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company and City Manager Dennis Dare, a local paper looks at fire and EMS service at the resort. The Daily Times has a lengthy article on the relationship between career and volunteer forces in OC. A companion piece focuses on coverage issues in West Ocean City.
In the wake of the dispute between the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company and City Manager Dennis Dare, a local paper looks at fire and EMS service at the resort. The Daily Times has a lengthy article on the relationship between career and volunteer forces in OC. A companion piece focuses on coverage issues in West Ocean City.
In the same paper, a look at diversity at the Salisbury Fire Department. Despite advertising and other efforts to make a more diverse department, not too much has changed.
We told you on May 28th about questions over who would provide ambulance service in the Bethany Beach area come January, 2009. That's when the Millville VFC will end its contract to provide EMS for the Bethany Beach VFC. The answer to the problem may be a tax increase. Bethany Beach VFC says that may be the only way it can provide the service. Coastal Point has the story.
We told you on May 28th about questions over who would provide ambulance service in the Bethany Beach area come January, 2009. That's when the Millville VFC will end its contract to provide EMS for the Bethany Beach VFC. The answer to the problem may be a tax increase. Bethany Beach VFC says that may be the only way it can provide the service. Coastal Point has the story.
A story in The News Journal is about public employees being priced out of the real estate market in Sussex County, DE. The story features the plight of a paramedic and her firefighter boyfriend.
If you missed our video from the MSFA Convention of 1988, here it is. I've already heard from one person who spotted himself on one of the firetrucks in the story. Remember, if you have some old fire and EMS stories you would like to see, let me know.
Other non-beach news from STATter 911:
Fanning the flames in the race to be president. Democrats and Republicans interact with firefighters.
And, of course, many of you will be involved this week with the 2007 International Fire & EMS Stand Down. Too many press releases, and too many items on the web relating to the Stand Down to bring them all to you.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
A Fan of Obama's and Other Firefighting News on the Campaign Trail
Firefighting is at the top of the political agenda this weekend. Senator Barack Obama's Washington, DC home had firetrucks all around it today.
The location is 6th and Massachusetts Avenue in Northeast. Obama rents an apartment on the second floor of the Capitol Hill home. DC Fire & EMS spokesman Alan Etter confirms a fan motor in the attic overheated sending smoke through the house. Etter called it a very minor fire. There were no unusual problems reported during the fire.
Some of you may recall that, five years ago, another senator who talked about running for the Democratic nomination, Evan Bayh of Indiana, had a fire at his home in Spring Valley. That fire was also in the attic, but it was a bit more substantial. At the time, Chief Ronnie Few had to answer questions on why Engine 20 had a mechanical malfunction on the fireground and was unable to pump water (my foggy memory is that it wouldn't go into pump gear).
On the Republican side, a big front page article in The New York Times today on Rudy Giuliani's very complicated relationship with firefighters. For many, a lot of bitter feelings left over from September 11th. But other firefighters are behind the former New York mayor. Here is the link, but you may need to log-in to use it.
The location is 6th and Massachusetts Avenue in Northeast. Obama rents an apartment on the second floor of the Capitol Hill home. DC Fire & EMS spokesman Alan Etter confirms a fan motor in the attic overheated sending smoke through the house. Etter called it a very minor fire. There were no unusual problems reported during the fire.
Some of you may recall that, five years ago, another senator who talked about running for the Democratic nomination, Evan Bayh of Indiana, had a fire at his home in Spring Valley. That fire was also in the attic, but it was a bit more substantial. At the time, Chief Ronnie Few had to answer questions on why Engine 20 had a mechanical malfunction on the fireground and was unable to pump water (my foggy memory is that it wouldn't go into pump gear).
On the Republican side, a big front page article in The New York Times today on Rudy Giuliani's very complicated relationship with firefighters. For many, a lot of bitter feelings left over from September 11th. But other firefighters are behind the former New York mayor. Here is the link, but you may need to log-in to use it.
Video of Race Car Hitting Crowd
An AP picture of an EMS worker being consoled after working an MCI in Tennessee that killed 6 people and injured 15.There is amateur video of Saturday's crash in Selmer, Tennessee during a car show and parade. WMC-TV in Memphis has the video. It is in two parts. The first part shows the car going out of control and hitting the crowd. The second shows people running up to help the injured.
I've noticed Bill Schumm of firegeezer.com is also staying on top of this story and has additional links.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Harvard Men & Woman Praised; OC 1988; Testers Get Recalled; Being Frank in Frederick; Something Hot Between the Sheets; AFA Heard 'Round the World
The picture above is by Terry Quillan of the Friendship Fire Association. It was taken during this week's 2nd-alarm at 1825 Harvard Street, NW. The story and more pictures are on DCFD.com. There, you will find the picture below of Chief Dennis Rubin congratulating some of the firefighters from Engine 11 and Engine 4 who assisted in the rescue of two people from the apartment building. Well, at least one fire chief has some praise for that man in the center of the picture. Congratulations to Tony Kelleher, Lynette Kramer, Paul Brooke and Rich Pullin.
BUT WHO'S THE SKINNY GUY WITH HAIR? MSFA Conventions past. A video look back at June, 1988 in Ocean City. A tragic fire and a parade.
TRUST ME, READ THIS ARTICLE. A letter to the editor in the Washington City Paper from Thomas Fee. Fee is the President of the International Association of Arson Investigators. Fee raves about the article on serial arsonist Thomas Sweatt and explains the significance of what was written. Didn't I tell you 2 weeks ago that David Jamieson's article is a must read?GAGE(ING) REACTION. What does Johnny Gage from EMERGENCY! (below) have to do with truck staffing in Fairfax County? Read the comments section of our recent story.
CPSC TESTING RECALLED. Looks like neighbors complaints are bringing an early end to a contract between CPSC and the Upper Montgomery County Fire Department. CPSC has been using the grounds of Station 14 to test fireworks. The Frederick News-Post with the story.IN MY BUSINESS, THEY JUST SAY HE'S DECIDED TO TAKE A CONSULTING JOB. It didn't take a genius to figure this one out. But now 2 months later, Walter Murray is the only one who will explain to the public exactly what happened in April. The former director of Frederick County's Division of Fire & Rescue Services (and I believe, back in the day, a Silver Hill volunteer), says he was forced out. Gazette.net reports everyone else is still dancing around the issue.
HONORING EMS. Susan Nicol Kyle at EMSresponder.com has the details on the move to create a memorial honoring EMS personnel killed in the line of duty.
BEVERLY HILLS SUPPER CLUB REVISITED. 30 years later, Investigators say they will look at a man's claim that the fire that killed 165 people was not caused by faulty wiring. Details from the Cincinnati Post.
SIDE BY SIDE. After hearing so much recently about bad relations between career and volunteer firefighters, this is a somewhat refreshing article. Hanover Fire Chief wins an award for recruiting career firefighters and says the key to this success is having a strong volunteer force. Interesting concept. Herald-Progress.com has the story.
THIS STORY RUBS ME THE WRONG WAY. The sheets just got too hot following a massage in Colorado. The DenverChannel.com has the story.
AND FINALLY, I GUESS I SHOULD BE ASHAMED I WAS SCOOPED ON THIS STORY. Alarm bells at the State Department. Yes, just bells. No smells. No fire. Reuters, the international wire service, transmits the story. Javno, the international web site covering the world, runs it. STATter 911, the one man blog in Washington, provides you the link, but says, "Don't waste your time".
Friday, June 15, 2007
Beach Memories: 1988 Video of Fire and Parade
The Maryland State Firemen's Association Convention starts this weekend in Ocean City. I am heading to the beach on Sunday and will be there through Tuesday. Paul Sterling and Leonard King have invited me to emcee the installation of officers on Tuesday night. I will be updating STATter 911 from the beach.When I was a volunteer I never went to the MSFA Convention. Oxon Hill VFD always paid some of us $100 each, to stay back and make sure we had enough people in town to run calls. I always opted to take the money and ride.
If my memory is correct, my first time at the convention was in 1988. I was sent by Channel 9 to cover a fatal fire in an old motel. The fire killed 2 teenagers from York, Pennsylvania. Fourteen others were injured in the blaze at the Beachcomber Motel. It happened at the same time as the MSFA Convention was beginning. I recall that Wesley Gerald, who recently retired from Fairfax County's Public Safety Communications Center, was very helpful in getting us pictures and information about the fire.
CLICK ON EITHER PICTURE TO SEE 1988 REPORT ON OCEAN CITY FIRE
I believe after the 1988 fire, there hadn't been another fatal fire in Ocean City until just a few months ago.
I ended staying in Ocean City for much of that week covering the fire. Before we left, photographer, and later Rockville VFD member, Sheldon Levy and I did a story on the parade.
CLICK EITHER PICTURE TO SEE 1988 REPORT ON MSFA PARADE
If there is some old fire or EMS related story you are interested in seeing. Send a comment or drop me an email at dstatter@wusa9.com. I will see if I can find it and put the story on STATter 911.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
WORKING TOGETHER IN STAFFORD PAYS OFF; MUTUAL AID FROM LA; RICH MAN-POOR MAN IN LOUDOUN; REST PERIOD INFRACTIONS AND MUCH MORE.
The picture above is from firehouseguy on thewatchdesk.com. It was taken during Wednesday's 2nd-alarm apartment fire in Lanham. Additional pictures can be found here. We have more about this lightning sparked blaze, along with video.STAFFORD 2ND-ALARM. 5 people rescued during a two-alarm fire this morning. Fire Chief says great effort by career and volunteers.
SQUAD 51 WHERE ARE YOU? The answer last weekend was Celebrate Fairfax. Pictures of Johnny Gage and more about the real purpose behind the booth staffed by firefighters and medics.
DRINKING IN THE FIREHOUSE. A local firehouse soon may become a watering hole. Firehouse.com has the story.
FREDERICK, MD DIRECTOR. The Frederick News-Post reports that Gene Mellin has been named as the director of the Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services.
SO NEER, YET SO FIRE. Calling themselves "the poor relatives out in the country", the Neersville Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company is working on a takeover by the Loudoun County Fire & Rescue Department. Rhett Fleitz of VaFireNews.com found the details in the Loudoun Times Mirror on TimesCommunity.com.
BEFORE WE LEAVE LOUDOUN COUNTY. We have a story of volunteers who have the money, but are having problems spending it. The Timers Mirror on the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company's difficulties in getting a building plan approved.
TYPE A+ PERSONALITY. Meet Ritchie Burke, Sperryville Fire Chief and Rappahannock County's Emergency Services Manager, 911 Coordinator, and Building Official. The Rappahannock News reports Burke is also trying to bring back 4th of July fireworks and has been the coach of Rappahannock County High School's varsity softball team.
AND FINALLY, FIREFIGHTERS SLEEPING AROUND. UK firefighters in trouble for where they are resting their bodies. No confidence vote against management. Bill Schumm of firegeezer.com had the earlier news in this saga back on May 31st. If you missed it, like I did, it is worth seeing just to learn more about this sign below:
AND FINALLY, FIREFIGHTERS SLEEPING AROUND. UK firefighters in trouble for where they are resting their bodies. No confidence vote against management. Bill Schumm of firegeezer.com had the earlier news in this saga back on May 31st. If you missed it, like I did, it is worth seeing just to learn more about this sign below:
REPORT SAYS EMS SHOULD BE FIRE-BASED
A lot of places, including the District of Columbia, are struggling with the future of EMS. Now, a report has just been released on how EMS should be delivered. The following is from a Congressional Fire Services Institute press release:
The 13-page report describes fire service-based EMS and the time-critical role of the fire service in providing emergency medical care.
It is critical that policy makers understand the importance of having emergency medical services provided through the fire service. Fire service-based EMS is prehospital emergency 9-1-1 medical response provided by the nation’s firefighter EMTs and paramedics. Due to the training, expertise, and equipment of fire service-based EMS responders, they are capable of simultaneously securing a scene, mitigating the hazard, and triaging, extricating, treating, decontaminating (if necessary), and transporting the patients who have been injured to an appropriate medical facility. Time efficiency is a key component of the best designed EMS systems. There is no service more capable of rapid multi-faceted response than a fire service-based EMS system.
Here is the abstract from the report:
Prehospital 9-1-1 emergency response is one of the essential public safety functions provided by the United States fire service in support of community health, security and prosperity. Fire service-based emergency medical services (EMS) systems are strategically positioned to deliver time critical response and effective patient care. Fire service-based EMS provides this pivotal public safety service while also emphasizing responder safety, competent and compassionate workers, and cost-effective operations. As the federal, state, and local governments consider their strategic plans for an ‘all hazards’ emergency response system, EMS should be included in those considerations and decision makers should recognize that the U.S. fire service is the most ideal prehospital 9-1-1 emergency response agency.
You can read the report here.
The 13-page report describes fire service-based EMS and the time-critical role of the fire service in providing emergency medical care.
It is critical that policy makers understand the importance of having emergency medical services provided through the fire service. Fire service-based EMS is prehospital emergency 9-1-1 medical response provided by the nation’s firefighter EMTs and paramedics. Due to the training, expertise, and equipment of fire service-based EMS responders, they are capable of simultaneously securing a scene, mitigating the hazard, and triaging, extricating, treating, decontaminating (if necessary), and transporting the patients who have been injured to an appropriate medical facility. Time efficiency is a key component of the best designed EMS systems. There is no service more capable of rapid multi-faceted response than a fire service-based EMS system.
Here is the abstract from the report:
Prehospital 9-1-1 emergency response is one of the essential public safety functions provided by the United States fire service in support of community health, security and prosperity. Fire service-based emergency medical services (EMS) systems are strategically positioned to deliver time critical response and effective patient care. Fire service-based EMS provides this pivotal public safety service while also emphasizing responder safety, competent and compassionate workers, and cost-effective operations. As the federal, state, and local governments consider their strategic plans for an ‘all hazards’ emergency response system, EMS should be included in those considerations and decision makers should recognize that the U.S. fire service is the most ideal prehospital 9-1-1 emergency response agency.
You can read the report here.