STATter 911: Flint firefighters say cutbacks delayed getting water on fatal fire. 3 FFs burned trying to make rescue without hose line.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Flint firefighters say cutbacks delayed getting water on fatal fire. 3 FFs burned trying to make rescue without hose line.

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The first water to hit the fire in the 1400 block of Bennett Avenue in Flint, Michigan late Monday night came from a garden hose operated by a neighbor. The fire department didn't have anything better to offer when the first two vehicles showed up. According to union vice-president Lt. Mark Kovach, the first two pieces of equipment on the scene were squad vehicles without water. News reports indicate the engine that used to be at the closest fire house, Station 5, was no longer there due to layoffs that took effect on Sunday. Kovach figures it took three or four additional minutes to get the first pumper to the burning home.

Lt. Kovach isn't just speaking as a union official on this one. He was one of three firefighters to receive second-degree burns while trying to get to a man trapped in the home. Kovach believes, with water, the firefighters would have made the second floor instead being pushed back as the flames rolled over on them. The man's body was discovered later.

A woman who lived in the house escaped with serious burns prior to the arrival of the fire department.

According to news reports, City of Flint officials are not disputing the accounts of the firefighters. It isn't just union leaders and the rank and file expressing concern. Battalion Chief Teresa Root told WJRT-TV, "It was chaotic. It's not how we do things."

WEYI-TV reports:

The Flint Mayor's office says it is doing the best it can with the resources available. The Fire Department says it has a city plan that it keeps updating to make sure it's addressing the residents’ needs in the best and most efficient way.

# posted by Dave Statter @ 8:45 PM

Comments:

How many lives have to be lost before politicians realize there is a price to be paid for their actions...cutting essential services especially public safety. They have made cuts to the FD, PD and essential water/sewer/streets but maintain or increase funding to recreation. Now, around my house wwhen money is tight you pay what you HAVE to have and recreation/luxuries/entertainment is curbed...Makes no sense.

# posted by

Anonymous : April 29, 2009 7:59 AM

Congratulations, you have demonstrated a complete and full understanding of government.
Government=Makes no sense.

# posted by

Anonymous : April 29, 2009 9:54 AM

Across the USA, local governments should place cuts on parks, forresters and any alike that are not essential. Police and Fire should be left alone, but held responsible for budget limitations and are always used as a example of what will go first to put fear into tax payers. This way the local governments get their federal or state money back they were cut or try too. Look into what Gov. Pawlenty told cities in Minnesota. "If the Cities cut Fire and Police, they are doing this wrong and need to be held accountible for their actions!!"

The three thing we need in a community is Fire and Police protection as well as public works to keep thing going in a city!

# posted by

Anonymous : April 29, 2009 10:54 AM

OK -
so where is the "rest of the Story"?

Exactly who determined and made the decsion to move the "pumper"? Was it the mayor? - Doubt it! Was it city council?-doubt it! Hmmmm - that leaves the fire chief! Wow - perhaps they need to look into their own organization and see who was calling the shots - and why someone would knowingly have two non-pumpers at the same location?

There is too much of the story that "hasn't" been reported to know, and one can only speculate, but in today's economy, and especially that of Michigan and ultimately Flint - it would seem there really is a bottom to money cigar box. Soon everyone will have to realize that, and even it's essential, it may not be able to be funded. Again, I don't have the Flint city budget in front of me, but what a lousy job of reporting - so biased and one sided. Is it standard operating procedure to enter a burning building without back-up water? Perhaps look to the more positive view - only one person died instead of four (3 firefighters, 1 resident) - so the question now is asked - who is responsible for distribution of fire-fighting assests - and my guess would be it came down tot he chieft or one of his deputies to make the initial call for repositioning the truck.

# posted by

Anonymous : April 29, 2009 2:49 PM

Sems to me if you have a squad truck and an engine in a station and have to lose one piece, you give up the squad truck. Where has common sense gone?

# posted by

Anonymous : April 29, 2009 7:10 PM

This and any other lay off resulting in death should be treated as a criminal matter.

# posted by

Anonymous : April 29, 2009 8:14 PM

To the obvious politician siding with the city, todays budget cuts are shutting down departments not only reducing staffing thus increasing response times. Before you decide to slam fd officers on judgements made put on some gear and join the now challenging lives of the paid service. You have no idea of the dangers we face now being understaffed, it takes more size up skills to know if the job can even remotely be executed safely now than you will ever know. So with that i say enjoy your desk job and say a little prayer for the ones this ultimantly affects!

# posted by

Anonymous : April 30, 2009 12:04 AM

This will continue across this country until lives are lost. This is just one example of such a scenario. Unfortunate...sure is...the last time...not even close. Continue to cut police and fire...maybe that will help.
your forcing public safety to choose between their own safety and yours...guess what...the public is on the "back burner".
Administrations concern....more important to save a buck, than save a life.
Unreal.

# posted by

Anonymous : April 30, 2009 11:08 PM

When are we going to hold city government accountable? As a firefighter / paramedic I'm held accountable for my patients, crew and care I provide my patients. City government want to gamble with our lives and that of the public. At what point will the city government's learn at some point when they roll the dice they will crap out?

# posted by

1476 : May 2, 2009 3:34 PM

Okay to the person who posted where is the rest of the story!! I have one thought DO YOU REALLY WANT TO BE THE ONE TO STAND OUTSIDE AND LET A PERSON DIE. Screw policy when someone is trapped a good firefighter is going to try and save that life no matter what!! Go ahead make some more stupid comments, "only one person died" Guess it is wasn't your family member!!!

# posted by

Anonymous : May 4, 2009 8:09 PM

Yes, it is a gamble. Guess what eventually happens when someone gambles? They lose. Odds are not that good. Period. Now, there is a gamble with human lives. Layoffs of public safety are happening with no merit. There is proof out there that minimal staffing has deadly outcomes. There are laws that say i.e. NFPA 1710 about proper staffing of trucks. Politicians are willing to take a DEADLY gamble with human lives at stake. Pathetic.

# posted by

Anonymous : May 9, 2009 7:00 PM