Fire Department suspends captainFirefighters shown not using air packs By Ron Menchaca (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Firefighter CoverageIn our special section with photos, videos, interactives, donation information and every story written about the tragedy.The Charleston Fire Department is disciplining two firefighters who failed to wear their air packs while dousing a potentially toxic car fire this week. One firefighter, a captain, was given a two-week suspension without pay. A second firefighter will receive a written warning. Both violated a department policy that requires firefighters don all their protective gear, including air packs, at all fire-related emergencies. "That's a policy we take seriously," said Mark Ruppel, the department's public information officer. Ruppel declined to name the firefighters but said they are assigned to a station in downtown Charleston. The failure of some firefighters to wear air packs and full protective gear at the Sofa Super Store blaze was among the concerns the state Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited in its investigation of the fire that killed nine firefighters. The city recently spent nearly $1 million to upgrade firefighters' air packs with a state-of-the-art model. On Tuesday afternoon, a Post and Courier photographer took a photo of three firefighters dousing the car blaze atop the Doughty Street parking garage in downtown Charleston. The photo showed two firefighters without air packs, and the next day the Fire Department launched an internal investigation into the safety lapses. Department safety officer Bryan Kleskie conducted the investigation, which involved interviewing the two firefighters when they returned to work Friday. Kleskie consulted with Fire Chief Rusty Thomas and city human resources officials to determine the appropriate punishment. Roger Yow, head of the local union representing about half of the city's 250 firefighters, was among those who cited the photo as evidence that the department is not committed to safety improvements recommended in the wake of the sofa store fire. Yow said he believes the punishment is appropriate and will send a message to other firefighters. "I think the city did what they needed to do," he said Yow said he has spoken with the suspended captain and that he is a member of the union. "He admitted that he was wrong and would take the punishment," Yow said. Gordon Routley, who heads the city-appointed panel of consultants recommending improvements in the Fire Department, said this week that the safety lapses were "disappointing" but not surprising, given the size of the organization and the flurry of changes the department is undergoing. Routley said Friday that the panel is finalizing its report into what went wrong at the fatal June 18 blaze. He said rumors that the city had been provided an advance copy of the report are untrue. The panel is still writing the report and there are no plans at this point to provide the city with advance drafts to study and comment on, Routley said. "The plan at this point is that they are not going to be reviewing the full document before it is released," he said. Panel members were in town last week and met with two city attorneys to go over some facts in the report for accuracy and to discuss how some items will be presented, Routley said. For instance, they wanted to discuss whether the report should name individual firefighters or just refer to them by their job title for privacy reasons. No decision was reached, he said. Attorney Sandy Senn, who has represented the city on workplace safety issues with the fire, attended the session. From what she gathered, the report will pull no punches. "I don't think anybody would say the city had input or somehow cleaned up this report," she said. Reach Ron Menchaca at rmenchaca@postandcourier.com or 937-5724. Reach Glenn Smith at gsmith@postandcourier.com or 937-5556. |
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Comments
This article has 22 comment(s)
Posted by jameschucktown on March 29, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well for all of you naysayers, this should be proof that the CFD is positively and quickly responding to matters before it. Chief Thomas is a born leader and a smart man. He is building a team that will be an example for the country. Even Roger Yow was positive about the department--and I'll be it spoiled his day.
Posted by moonpie on March 29, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah JC after the fact. It took 9 to die to get them TO THIS POINT, REMEMBER?
Posted by jammer on March 29, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
building a team to be an example for the country? what are you kidding me, no one is so stupid to fall for that BS...
that's completely impossible after such a screw up
after you've murdered someone you will be known as a murderer the rest of your life, not a "team leader" and far from any kind of example except what not to be
same for a rapist, a burgular, etc etc etc...
no matter how hard you try, the clock can't be turned back
Posted by ColdBeer on March 29, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Failed to wear their air packs? That's just plain stupid. What they should have done is cause the death of 9 firemen, then they would not have had to worry about being disciplined.
Posted by preachlove on March 29, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, jameschucktown - You want to see born leaders, just check out some of our military personnel - Marines, Navy, Air Force and Army to give you an idea. I have been around some SHARP, INTELLIGENT and BRAVE men and women. Leaders make sure their men/women are well trained so they don't put themselves in a position of fighting fires WITHOUT the proper equipment, AS IN THIS CASE. And another thing, SOME leaders work hard to get where they are, not some hand me down GOOD OLE BOY NETWORK promotion.
Posted by BattChiefNCFD on March 29, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jameschucktown:
Why are you so quick to defend the methods being employed by CFD now? If the department was quickly and positively addressing issues within the fire service as they were identified over the years, perhaps we would still have 9 brothers alive with us today. Because the leadership within the department ingrained an attitude of ridicule towards nationally identified safety standards over the past 15 to 20 years such as: the use of SCBA, two-in-two-out, Rehab, etc, and failed to properly train their personnel in proper fire ground strategy and tactics such as: Incident Command, Engine and Truck Company Operations, Building Construction, etc, we have the deaths of 9 brothers to live with.
While I have remained quiet in my condemnation of the operations and actions of CFD before, during and after the Sofa Super Store Fire, the mountain of evidence is irrefutable. I have many friends within the department and my words may offend them, but I would rather see positive changes made for the future at the expense of offending these brothers, than to have to attend one of their or any other brother’s funerals from any of our area departments again. I am in no way condemning the guys within the department, but the culture that was bred within was antiquated, and many of the guys within bought into this culture as macho, and over the years have looked down upon and ridiculed many other area departments for the advancements made in safety and the way they operated on scenes. If in the future I am met by one of these brothers and they do not speak, or do not choose to shake my hand, I will understand. It will not change my love for them, but again, I will understand. The truth is changes need to be made, and not only within CFD, but every department in the Tri-County Area.
Joseph A. Varella
Posted by Harpo on March 29, 2008 at 5:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Fire Chief Rusty Thomas still commands the CFD and that's the
travesty of it all. He should NOT still hold that position
after any serious consideration of the previous failures in
safety. His resistance to change, even after the disaster at
the SSS, further show that he is not the man to lead the
fire department.
Mayor Joe Riley's stubborn insistence to retain his personal
friend in that position illustrates this mayor's haughtiness
and smug self confidence in his power over the city. Both
Mayor Riley and Fire Chief Thomas are fragments of
Charleston's past and both need to be relieved of their
offices as soon as possible.
We don't need mediocrity in leadership. We deserve better.
Posted by MilkofAmnesia on March 29, 2008 at 8:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Attitude reflects leadership.
Posted by Slick50 on March 29, 2008 at 10:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Harpo, you nailed it !!!
Mayor Joe Riley's stubborn insistence to retain his personal
friend in that position illustrates this mayor's haughtiness
and smug self confidence in his power over the city. Both
Mayor Riley and Fire Chief Thomas are fragments of
Charleston's past and both need to be relieved of their
offices as soon as possible.
We don't need mediocrity in leadership. We deserve better.
Posted by THISMUSTSTOP on March 29, 2008 at 10:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jameschucktown- Get a grip, the City of Charleston has yet to act on the person(s) that got 9 (nine) firefighters killed.
Your friend just punished someone for following the culture he perpetuated for the past 15-20 years.
Why do you jump to his side so fast and with blinders on? Did he give you food when you were hungry or something?
Posted by Perspective on March 29, 2008 at 10:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Two eek suspension for the captain - that is just stupid. It is clearly a political sacrifice. One or two days, maybe a couple more would have made the point just fine. CFD leadership is stupid for doiung that. They can count on one more "leak" they are going to have to fix when you overkill discipline on an employee.
No airpacks at car fire - two week suspension. Cost the lives of nine firefighters.... lets give the brass another chance.
stupid stupid stupid
Posted by pygmon on March 29, 2008 at 10:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The next time your CHILDREN are trapped in a blazing car...while your gutless self watches from a 'safe' distance...DEMAND that the firemen/police officers halt the rescue, strap on their breathing gear, perform their 10 step safety check, make sure their packs are fully charged, pair off with a buddy, wait for backup, ONLY take direction from a high ranking squad member, download diagrams of the car to possibly determine where the fire may be coming from, follow procedure to a tee, form a plan of attack and then....ONLY THEN, proceed with the rescue "plan". If it appears the 'rescue' is not 'by the book', have them stop again, form an impromptu committee based on 'on site' chain of command, analyze the situation, investigate exactly 'why' the rescue broke down, form ANOTHER plan of attack based on the committees findings and initiate the rescue again. You know what folks? SCHIDT HAPPENS...and I for one THANK GOD that these underpaid SELFLESS INDIVIDUALS risk their LIVES for my family and me. Oh, while we're at it, let's PROSECUTE any good Samaritan that has the gall to "help" without "proper safety gear". You people are PATHETIC.
Posted by Harpo on March 30, 2008 at 1:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They should arrive with the gear in hand or already donned
for a car fire and this shouldn't slow down a rescue. I also
think this was a sacrifice and too stern for the infraction.
I thank heaven for the fire fighters, but pygmon is hyping
the case.
Posted by palmettopride on March 30, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Over Kill- Not every fire situation requires an air pack. Are we going to require these guys to wear packs for grass fires- No. We had an accidental death of 9 fire fighters at the Sofa Super store where not all the rules of firefighting were followed, but lets not go on a witch hunt every time someone thinks the Dept is at fault. As a former firefighter for a major city there are times when common sense is used.
Posted by jifdeng3 on March 30, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
pygmon
WOW, Get you facts straight before shooting off at the mouth and making yourself look like a stark raving idiot. The air packs are mounted in the seat!! There is no reason that they should not have been on, period. I am fully dressed......with an airpack long before I get to a scene. There is NO EXCUSE for this. A two week suspension is very approprate in this case. You talk about safety checks, that is done in the AM when you come on shift to be sure it is ready quickly in an emergency, the firefighter just has to put it on. Its tough for a SCBA to work in a seat bracket. And yes, if there are victims to rescue.....in this case there were none.....some safety does take a back seat based on the situation and the ability to save a viable person. The old saying in the fire service goes "I will risk alot to save a viable life, I will risk a little to save salagable property, but I will risk nothing to save life or property already lost" I do appriciate your comments of appriciation for what we do, but please do not make un-informed rants without understanding how we do the job. There is not one reason on the face of the planet a firefighter should not have on an airpack when fighting a fire involving any man made substance. Why? Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, phosgene gas just to name a few. No excuse!!!!
Posted by pygmon on March 30, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Hyping"? It sounds absurd, doesn't it? Just let some lawyers get involved, throw in some OSHA, add a few "dash cams" to videotape the scene and you'll have guys comtemplating the legal consequences of their next move instead of PERFORMING THEIR JOB...SAVING LIVES. Thank you firemen and police officers for puting it ALL on the line for a whiney, self-absorbed, who-can-we-take-down-next, paranoid public. Don't let the lynch mobs with pitchforks and torches in hand get you down. Not all of us are like that. I thank you and my family thanks you!!!
Posted by jifdeng3 on March 30, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Palmettopride I missed your comment. If you were a firefighter then you would know why you should wear an SCBA in a vehicle fire. How much plastic is burning? Ok then. I am glad you are a former firefighter because you obviously don't understand the dangers of car fires.
Posted by THISMUSTSTOP on March 31, 2008 at 1:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The air packs actually help the public. Who do you think will pay the medical bills of the firefighters that get sick from breathing in the toxins? Who is going to pay for medical retirement? We wear air packs to protect the tax payers.
Posted by kma71 on March 31, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have a friend who used to be a firefighter with St. John's. We were talking about this and he said the airpack is one of the first things he would put on. And he has fought a couple of car fires and he said it is SOP for firemen to wear their SCBA at ANY fire!
Posted by MilkofAmnesia on March 31, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
pygmon-
Thank you for your completely misinformed rant.
As a former firefighter and a current paramedic, a firefighter today has NO excuse not to wear an SCBA. The amount of chemicals put off by the smoke of a car fire is incredible. Over half of the compounds in the smoke are CANCER CAUSING.
Firefighters are dying every day due to the disregard to these chemicals. We are killing ourselves by inhaling cyanide, nerve agents, and vessicants whenever we don't wear our full gear.
Next time pygmon, do your homework before you show your backside.
Posted by unionFF on March 31, 2008 at 8:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wear my airpack for my wife and kids, period. They want me around for awhile (to pay for college) and would rather not see me wither away from cancer. It's really that simple.
Posted by bootlicked on March 31, 2008 at 10:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Riley forced the downtown businesses to protect people from second hand cig smoke and let me tell you a cig doesn't have quite the kick as a toke off a car fire , couches at the burn tower, or the deisel in the burn pit. Riley cares about the tourist but not the ones that risk their live saving them. Rusty if you are reading this do everyone on the CFD a favor and quit. Oh, and why didn't you stop by the breakfast at number 7 ? Afraid someone might tell you just how they feel because they don't have to worry about the consequenses anymore? Like Otis having to switch shifts because he didn't vote for your brother to be Chief ? You Thomases' are a pathetic bunch of jackasses!!!!!!!!!