Fire report draws strong reactions'Chief Thomas needs to go,' association head says; that won't happen, Riley states By Ron Menchaca (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Wade Spees The Charleston Fire Department's newest truck has a plaque memorializing the nine firefighters who died in the Sofa Super Store fire last June. Firefighter CoverageIn our special section with photos, videos, interactives, donation information and every story written about the tragedy.NIOSH Draft ReportNew details about mistakes that contributed to the deaths of nine Charleston firefighters in the Sofa Super Store fire have stirred painful emotions for their families and colleagues and renewed calls for some leaders in the Fire Department hierarchy to lose their jobs. A draft federal report, released Thursday, paints a stark picture of a chaotic scene of firefighters begging for more water to fight back a growing inferno, missing telltale warning signs of impending doom and commanders issuing orders that conflicted with basic firefighting principles. One noted fire expert described the compound failings as an "error chain." Charleston Mayor Joe Riley acknowledged Friday that mistakes were made at the June 18 fire, but he said he has no intention of removing Fire Chief Rusty Thomas or any other department leaders. Riley described Thomas as dedicated, hard-working and "a great leader," Riley said. "I have confidence in (Thomas), and we will move forward with him as the leader." Riley has repeatedly characterized the fire as a "perfect storm" event that was beyond the capabilities of any fire department. At a press conference Friday, he said the draft report "points out a number of things that should have been done differently, and we accept responsibility for that." Fire Capt. Jamie Greene said the report shows that a leadership change is desperately needed in the department. Riley's comments Friday show that he considers this and other reports on the fire "an incovenient truth that he doesn't want to address," Greene said. "It's because of his pride, and his pride has put our lives in danger," he said. "He didn't care about us before the fire, and he doesn't care about us now." Thomas attended the press conference but didn't comment except to offer clarification on one point concerning the use of small hose lines. He left the room quickly after the mayor stopped speaking, and the Charleston Fire Department's public information officer, Mark Ruppel, said the chief had no further comments to offer Friday. Firefighters across the Lowcountry and around the country continued poring over the 54-page report Friday. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health issued a draft of its report to stakeholders this week, and the city made the document public Thursday. NIOSH officials said the city's decision to release the report to the media was unprecedented in the agency's history, but that the publication won't change the planned release of the final report in three to four months. Findings affirm theories Some firefighters said they were not surprised by the draft report's key findings on water supply problems, tactical missteps and inadequate equipment. Firefighter Kevin Prin, who was at the scene that night, said the report was the talk of the department Friday morning. He said the report was helpful in confirming many of the assumptions and conclusions firefighters had arrived at in the wake of the blaze. "It was stuff we already knew, but it was good to see it on paper," he said. "It just acknowledged that our assumptions or thoughts coincided with professionals who study these sort of things on a regular basis." Other firefighters said the report put to rest lingering questions about crucial decisions and times. Charleston firefighter Bill Haigler said he and other firefighters he has talked to were shocked to learn that firefighters inside the sofa store reported seeing the building's metal truss roof supports "glowing red" in the intense heat. Firefighters are supposed to recognize that as a sign of imminent collapse. Haigler said that the report also settles speculation about who ordered the front windows of the store broken out, introducing oxygen to the fire. "Now we know it was Chief Thomas." Such details are likely to increase calls for the resignation of department leaders who commanded the scene that night, said Michael Parrotta, president of the union- affiliated South Carolina Professional Firefighters Association. The report bluntly laid out the facts, and city leaders no longer have any excuses not to act, Parrotta said. "In order for the city of Charleston to get over this, Mayor Riley has to put friendship aside and do what's best for the citizens and visitors and their safety. Chief Thomas needs to go. It's time for his retirement." Riley said it's natural for people to seek out a "scapegoat" after a tragedy. "That's the easy way out and the wrong way out." Local firefighters union president Roger Yow said his organization has not taken a formal position on whether leadership changes are needed in the department, but he acknowledged that the latest report is already renewing such talk. "The way that fire was fought that night was totally unacceptable. They fought that fire like they were taught to," Yow said. "They are victims of a culture that refused to change. It's obvious that it starts at the top." Families react Union officials aren't the only ones demanding accountability in the wake of the NIOSH report. Ann Mulkey, mother of Engine 15 Capt. Louis Mulkey, said the severity of the report demands a firm reaction from city leaders. "There should be someone held accountable. A couple of people," she said, declining to say more on the advice of her attorney. "If I said how I really feel, I'd be put in jail tonight and sued tomorrow." Jean Dangerfield, sister of Ladder Co. 5 assistant engineer Michael French, said she stayed up all Thursday night reading and rereading the draft report. It was a difficult and emotional task, particularly when she had to read about her brother standing inside the burning building, unable to get the water he needed to fight the flames. Dangerfield said the report didn't contain the one thing her family wants most: an explanation of what caused the fire. "We need to know what started this," she said. "We already know what happened at the end. We're living with that every day." Dangerfield said the Fire Department clearly had flaws, and the city is working to correct that. But she said she believes the store's owner needs to share the blame as well for failing to keep his building up to code, forgoing sprinklers and allowing 28 1-gallon cans of flammable solvent to be stored near a dock area where store workers were known to smoke cigarettes, she said. International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold Schaitberger said the report "paints a chilling, devastating picture of the events." "I felt a certain helplessness as I glimpsed through the eyes of those courageous firefighters, inside that inferno, without the proper equipment, without water and without a command structure watching their backs, protecting them." The fallout from the sofa store blaze remains a major topic in fire houses across the country. Firefighters watching from afar feel many of their concerns are now validated. Billy Goldfeder, a deputy chief in Ohio and a columnist for Firehouse.com, said the report "clearly affirms many of the gravest concerns people had on how things went that day." Paul Grimwood, who served 35 years with fire departments in London and New York and is now an author and consultant on firefighting tactics, said the command structure must take full responsibility for obvious tactical failings that created an "error chain" leading to the deaths of nine firefighters. "Despite opinions to the contrary, it is my own opinion that there were several opportunities, within a 10-minute time window, to halt this error chain by taking command decisions that would have reduced, or prevented entirely, the loss of life of firefighters," he said Mulkey said reading the report has been painful and angering. She keeps coming back to the same questions: "Why? Why were they ever let in there. For what? A bunch of furniture. They should have let it burn to the ground." 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 34 comment(s)
Posted by CedarPosts on May 10, 2008 at 1:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Chief Thomas needs to "man up" and submit his resignation.
His resignation won't bring the "9" back. Nor will it help heal the families wounds, that only time can do or give pride back to Charleston's finest, that only a new chief can do.
But it will show that Chief Thomas fully accepts responsibly, and has the courage to admit that this loss, our loss, occurred on his watch. Something our mayor doesn't have the back bone to do.
www.cedarposts.blogspot.com
Posted by geekguy2008 on May 10, 2008 at 2:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Can't see how Rusty can lay his head on his pillow and sleep at night.
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 10, 2008 at 2:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gather your pitchforks. It was by public pressure on Nazi Joe that forced former city police chief Rueben Greenberg to resign. Force will get Rusty Thomas out ... AND Nazi Joe.
March in protest .. go on strike ... sue them .. whatever legally has to be done, RUN THESE TYRANTS OUT OF TOWN!
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 10, 2008 at 2:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
June 18, 2007 @ 7:32 p.m. - A firefighter inside calls "Mayday!" over his radio. Soon after, another voice on the radio is heard to say "Car One (Chief Thomas). Please tell my wife that ... I love you." Another firefighter inside is heard on the radio saying "...in Jesus' name, amen".
On Monday, July 2, 2007, Chief Rusty Thomas told the CDC (which oversees NIOSH, the federal department that investigates firefighter fatalities) that his department would not allow federal investigators to interview firefighters about the Sofa Super Store fire. On Tuesday, July 2, 2007, the head of NIOSH wrote to Chief Thomas, asking him to reconsider.
Several PASS devices worn by firefighters are heard, meaning that firefighters in distress have manually activated them or have been motionless for at least 24 seconds. Firefighters begin smashing all of the glass in front of the store to allow escaping firefighters out and rescuing firefighters in, but this allows large amounts of oxygen to reach the fire, which quickly begins to grow in intensity. A FLASHOVER occurs. Virtually all of the interior of the showroom building erupts in fire within seconds. Chaotic radio traffic now ties up the radio channels, but calls about water supply problems continue. A final, unsuccessful attempt at rescue is made but quickly forced back by the intensity of the fire.
Engine 15 Captain Louis Mulkey 34, 11½ years
Engine 16 Captain Mike Benke 49, 29 years
Engine 16 Firefighter Melven Champaign 46, 2 years
Engine 19 Captain William "Billy" Hutchinson 48, 30 years
Engine 19 Engineer Bradford "Brad" Baity 37, 9 years
Engine 19 Firefighter James "Earl" Drayton 56, 32 years
Tower 5 Engineer Mark Kelsey 40, 12½ years
Tower 5 Engineer Michael French 27, 1½ years
Tower 5 Firefighter Brandon Thompson 27, 4 years
The City of Charleston REFUDED help from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) in planning the memorial, which exacerbated tensions between the IAFF and South Carolina Firefighters' Association (SCFA).[20] The IAFF's General President Harold Schaitberger has charged that Mayor Joseph Riley and Fire Chief Rusty Thomas are not "labor friendly" and that Charleston is an "openly anti-union city".
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Fire Fighters Unite And March on City Hall Demanding Rusty Thomas's and Joe Riley's Resignation! CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, you name it, all the nation media will be their to record your historical moment of PROTEST!
Riley and Rusty Thomas are responsible for these 9 brave men's death. My God they cooked inside that building!!!! They screamed in pain during their last breaths! And we want the same leadership to remain that allowed that??????!!!!!!!
Posted by whalernut on May 10, 2008 at 6:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is my opinion that the Chief needs to step down and let fresh new structure take over. The Chief is tired and needs rest. You can see it in his eyes. Right now dealing with the aftermath of this tragedy is more demanding then doing your real job! You can’t tell me that with this disaster that you can do the job you are really supposed to be doing.
There is too much on your personal plate.
Step down and save your family and yourself any more embarrassment
Posted by CedarPosts on May 10, 2008 at 7:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
His failure to command regardless if it's real or perceived, and the subsequent loss of faith in his ability to command, is not only a concern it's a potential fatal liability.
If Rusty Thomas continues as Chief and the next big fire sweeps through an apartment building, who will without hesitation follow his order to enter a fully involved structure to search for possible trapped occupants?
More importantly how many will second guess his order in the future to retreat, and evacuate a burning structure feeling he's being overly cautious?
He simply can not continue in the role as chief.
Posted by Neponset on May 10, 2008 at 7:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cedar
Very well said.
Posted by Paul on May 10, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Joe should have Rusty resign and then do so himself.
Posted by jammer on May 10, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
what can you say that hasn't already been said
teflon joe, and rusty too... nothing sticks...
Posted by amberjack2362 on May 10, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They were many mistakes that lead to the loss of these men. The Chief and Mayor are responsible. Their poor management & attitude is there fault and no one else's. They need to go.
The Fire Dept. I am sure does the best job they can given the resources they have. They need to have periodic inspections of policies & procedures,training and inspection of equipment. Get an outside Fire Dept. to assist with the inspections. Call a Fire Dept from California, Alaska have OSHA assist the city and give positive suggestions for improvement on a semi-annual basis.So history does not repeat itself.
Posted by KathyM on May 10, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was born and raised in Charleston until about 2 years ago when I moved my family to Pittsburgh, PA. My opinion is that, it is long past time for Joe Riley to go. He's been Mayor for far too long and is very out of touch with reality with respect to the City and it's needs and the needs of the citizens.
Rusty Thomas has done a fine job with the dept with the limitations he's had to deal with from Joe Riley and the Council. They in turn apparently answer to no one other than the 'blue bloods' South of Broad. The rich people in downtown Charleston have always had the say so in what goes on in the City, with the Mayor and Council and with everything.
Mistakes were made, a horrible, horrible tragedy took place. One that could have been prevented. The owners and employees of the Sofa Super Store are not without blame in all this. I knew 2 of those men that died as heros, I will never forget them. God bless the families and friends of the Fallen 9.
Posted by trm2105 on May 10, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
with all this confirmation, doesn't riley's decision to give $1.8 million in taxpayer's money to the SSS site owner just pour salt in this already painful wound.
Posted by SomeTruthPlease on May 10, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
trm2105, you have a very good point...I was disgusted to find that the site was going to provide him with even more money...I hope once he lines his pockets with it, he's forced by a civil suit to give the money to who it rightfully belongs to.
Posted by bootlicked on May 10, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Starting Monday all of the CFD firemen and women should go out sick until Riley is pressured into ridding the dept.of its leadership. Drastic times call for drastic measures. Ricky,Jamie, and the other few are not the only faces that need to be seen on the news or paper. Step up men and grow some tell Rusty to his face what you think of him. He doesn't know how to respond when someone stands up to him. Wake up citizens of Charleston and voice your opinions.Support those that risk their lives for you. Let your voices be heard like you did in the killing of the goose. Why does he want to keep RT so bad? I can smell another Maloney type situation. Everyone go to www.firefighterhourly.com and look to the right hand side of the screen and click on training videos especially video #3 and listen to the bess chief in America say how the city of Charleston loves nepotism. He is not a leader by any stretch of the imagination. He just either kills good firemen or he runs them off because of his good ol' boy politics. Look up his education and qualifications. He doesn't have enough to be a firefighter in any other Dept. What are ytou hiding Joe? You pay his daddy to spec out inadequite eqipment. That he promoted his brother Chief over many more qualified people.Remember the city loves nepotism. This is not the first time he has screwed up look back at the old charleston high fire where he almost killed people. It is the firefighters that have always made RT look good by doing there job despite his leadership. And remember he has always micromanaged the dept. so he is responsible and so are you JOE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by mdtpace on May 10, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
raregar67, how are the two even remotely related? That is a ridiculous comparison.
Posted by WalkMan on May 10, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mayor Riley states that this was the “perfect storm” fire, beyond the capabilities of any fire department. Others state that the store owner should share in the responsibility for failing to keep his building up to code, having the wrong roll-up doors and flammable liquids improperly stored. There are even those that feel the furniture manufacturers should have had to bare some of the burden because of the flammability of the synthetic fibers used in the furniture. I believe this is all a smoke screen unless the ONLY issue at hand was the loss of the structure. I agree with the Mayor that probably no FD could have saved this building and all the above listed items (and others) contributed to the inability to save the building. But the building is NOT the issue. The issue is the loss of life.
There were many opportunities for leaders on scene to decide not to allow these men into that structure or to withdraw them and combat this fire with an entirely different mentality. Flammable liquids were seen burning in a vapor fire from floor to ceiling against the building and leaders were informed the fire was inside of the structure. The one and only civilian saved was announced to everyone when the rescue occurred. Trusses were seen glowing red. The continued assault even after it was repelling firefighters closest to the doors. (It was only then when people were told to stop going in.) The awareness that it was a commercial structure. But above all a lack of adequate water which was known to everyone involved. Do you send a soldier into a gun battle without the proper weapon? Should a BB gun be used to combat artillery?
As soon as the leaders realized the water situation was not being resolved… (And let’s not pretend that they didn’t know it, they were screaming about it non-stop)…they should have regrouped, fell back, and not started another attack until their “weapon” (water) was secured. As the Mayor keeps stating, the building was a lost cause anyway.
The clues were present to prevent the loss of life, maybe not the structure. The building may have been lost because of a perfect storm; flammable solvents; construction not up to code; no code enforcement after inspections; improper roll down doors and synthetic fibers. But the men were lost due to poor decisions!! I want to scream to the whole world … PLEASE DON’T GET LOST IN THE SMOKE SCREEN; WE’VE ALREADY LOST 9 THERE.
Posted by Paoa on May 10, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Rusty Thomas sealed those brothers fate when he ordered those front windows to be broken! If I was a brother on the CFD, I would be very concerned about my safety. Keep the pressure on Joe Riley! THOMAS MUST GO !!
Posted by UpperSCFF on May 10, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to take this one step further; I have issue with the mayor’s analogy that states this was a “perfect storm” that put this incident beyond the capabilities of any fire department. Yes, this incident was well-beyond an interior attack (firefighters going into the building) within the first several minutes of fire operations. This is evident from the amount and quality of smoke that was coming from a large building that stored a large amount of furniture. Most of which in this day and age are manufactured mostly of wood, glue and petroleum-based products. Due to these obvious facts, interior operations should have been limited to rescue. After which, a defensive (exterior) attack should have been performed. These operations are well within the ability of many fire departments throughout the United States.
The smoke screen that needs to be surmounted is not that the fire was too much for any fire department. I see the problem is the incident commander did not know the obvious. He was in command of the fire for over twenty minutes. It is not like he arrived on scene and the building collapsed. Rusty Thomas was the well-established incident commander; the buck should stop with him. A man in his position and “experience” should have known better.
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 10, 2008 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We almost lost 16 men because of the completely out of control situation.
This is Joe Riley at his best ... and what he is best at is lying and going against what WE THE PEOPLE want. Well I say it's time we show that little S*B that he has no power. I say the CFD go on strike and all other city employees do a walk out. Organize and march in protest demanding resignations.
Enough of being nice "Peasants" as King Riley called us all. I want that little half pint psychopath out of office and his little dog rusty, too! You see how he coward down with angry citizens the other day?
Pressure. More Pressure! He is to blame here.
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 10, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Joe? We all know you and your spies are checking this thread so you can calculate any move you might have to make.
So tell us .... what kind lf early retirement package are you thinking about now for Rusty Thomas, Joe? What are you gonna say next Joe? The majority of the public and just about all of the fire fighters are on the verges of walking out on you and Rusty. Huh, Joe? Watcha going do Joe? People are really hating on you more and more, Joe.
Posted by burton on May 10, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is this story not getting national press? I have contacted all the major news depts but no response. They were all here when these brave men died. This story needs national press.
That is the only thing that will put pressure on Chief "Peter Principle" Thomas and King "Kneel and kiss my Citadel ring" Riley to resign. Whoo, what am I thinking... Riley will NEVER resign but at least "Peter Principle" Thomas might.
Posted by JohnS on May 10, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To all the trouble making members of the radical union. Enjoy your 15 mins of fame because you will soon fade from the memories of the residents. I laugh when I see they demand our mayor do anything. Most of you don't even live in the city. If you did you could maybe run for mayor next time or have some say so as to who is in charge.
Posted by jameschucktown on May 10, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thomas, I see you back on something.
Posted by HardHeartFF on May 10, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When does Charleston City council meet?
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 10, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
jameschucktown,
I see you are obsessed with me still.
Seriously, you need a life.
Now bite me! lol
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 10, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
burton,
They know. When the time is right, they will broadcast it to the entire world.
Posted by archdude on May 10, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The charge should be NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE for not having the common sense to know how to lead and fight the fire. Both Riley and Thomas should be charged...they were faced with a challenge, failed miserably, and then did their best to try to cover their ass. Sounds kind of like a certain President, doesn't it?
Posted by UpperSCFF on May 10, 2008 at 5:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
JohnS makes me laugh with his comment. I bet you if Rusty Thomas was the head coach of JohnS' favorite college team and they finished in the cellar, he'd want Rusty's head on a platter.
Posted by kayaker on May 10, 2008 at 7:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Chief Rusty needs to step down. I've attended an ICS (Incident Command System) class with him and he just doesn't get it.
Leadership, not good ole boy network, is what is needed. Chief Rusty is a great guy but an immature leader who is trying to remain popular.
Let him go.
Posted by Puzzled on May 10, 2008 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A strike is not the answer, nor blue flu. It only irritates the public and puts them at risk. Whoever is posting the idea of a strike is attempting to get people to commit to an illegal action, doing more harm than good. Buyer beware of that poster.
What can be done? A recall petition for the Mayor who has by implication decided that his opinion is better than nationally accepted standards and practices put in place by the consensus of industry leaders with years of experience. He is also thumbing his nose at the CDC/NIOSH. That is either gross ignorance or gross arrogance. You decide.
As for the department and its leadership. They are at risk as a whole. Morale is rock bottom. Potential for the future is nil. Without hope a people perish. Without vision people perish. There is no earnest expectation for change and no vision for the future. When hope is gone it simply make people heart sick. These men and women are at grave risk as each day goes by. Mr. Mayor a scape goat in those terms is an innocent upon whom the sins of the guilty are laid. Your command staff is grossly guilty. There are no innocents, at least not living ones.
Posted by Puzzled on May 10, 2008 at 7:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This "perfect storm" as you call it just might be correct. But one factor in that storm was incompetant or ignorant command and operations. It the attorneys for the Sofa Super Store are smart, they will lay the blame squarely where it belongs, at the feet of commanders who should never have let the firefighters remain in the building on two counts. 1) When smoke was seen puffing from the suspended ceiling (a compartmental back draft condition) and 2) upon notification that the beams had been exposed to heat. Anybody - and I do mean anybody - in the fire service knows that those truss roofs are dangerous and can fail after being exposed to direct flame contact in as little as 5 to 10 minutes. A NIOSH report of a furniture store that burned in Memphis and had similar results showed that and more. Its recommendations, fully available to fire service personnel/command indicates that such structures present a clear and present danger to the firefighters. Initial entry indicated there was no one in structure. One commanders stated it was like a walk in the park. The store was clear the smoke was puffing from the suspended ceiling at the back of the store.
Horizontal ventilation (breaking the windows) cannot be done without the roof being opened. Basic firefighting. For command to give that order is incredible. Without water what were those men supposed to do? Wave a magic wand and watch the flames go out?
The Mayor stated he didn't believe an accountability system would have helped. Again, one is amazed at such comments. If you have never commanded a fire scene, never had an accountablity system how can you make that statement? Perhaps an accountability system would have let them know who was inside when they were performing a roll call to find out who was missing.
Videos show booster lines in operaton. If they were in operation, and it was Chief Thomas' belief that at the time they were not, then that is a command failure. If they were, and he knew it, then it is simply a lie. How can the Mayor support leadership under either situation?
Posted by Puzzled on May 10, 2008 at 7:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There are things area chiefs are not discussing. They are "waiting for reports." When in fact, they are afraid to throw stones at class houses. The next report will be even more damning. Will the Mayor maintain his position? Will he continue to sail down the "River of Denial" with paddle in hand? Will the citizens and leaders of Charleston, South Carolina allow their firefighters to be treated in such a manner without holding those in leadership accountable by legal removing them from the offices they hold? Will the City Council continue to cower and not act? And will a grand jury be convened to consider the criminal charges that are available in the neglect and gross negligence by the leadership as they ignored nationally accepted standards and practices? Families that accepted workmen's compensation payments have lost the ability to sue the City and the Fire Department itself. They shouldn't have to do that anyway.
Either changes are made or the Mayor is removed by a recall election. Citizens of Charleston, it is up to you. Firefighters and friends, a march on City Hall - with the request of a recall by the voters is your next logical step. Post and Courier editorial staff, it's time for you to step up. The editorial should be ready and printed the day after the report is released. We already know what its going to say. Someone must be held accountable so that future leaders, and area leaders and chiefs that have failed to act up to this point, realize that if this happens again, those at the top will be held accountable.
Posted by mrsmomofthree on May 10, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What about the owner of the store?? Shouldn't he be responsible??
I see we want to blame the cheif and the mayor but if the owner of the store did what he should have done we wouldn't be discussing this at all. HHHHMMMM!!
Posted by vesta on May 10, 2008 at 10:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Puzzled: Excellent post. From June 22 until early July, 2007, many of the ffs told all of us what was wrong. If anyone saved the Post and Courier posts, this is quite evident. Hell, the ffs could have written these reports. Instead, Riley takes $158,000 of the tax payers money to tell us what was wrong, so that he can attempt to cushion the blow of the federal reports by saying, "The city has investigated that element, and we are working on that." I have noticed that Riley has NOT said lately that 'We are going to be a model for all fire departments across the nation.' Oh, he has become a model all right....a model of how NOT to run a fire department. Riley has been so keen on leaving a legacy to be remembered by, such as "The Joe", the aquarium, Spoletto, etc. He has left a legacy all right. The 60% of morons who elected him see him as a leader. The rest of the nation sees him for what he is----someone under whose watch nine brave men died....a mayor who knows absolutely nothing about the fire service. He said he released the report (Routley, a/k/a Riley Report) because he felt compassion for the nine families. So, it took him ten months to feel compassion? I think it had more to do with money. Spoletto was coming up and, hey, 'we don't want to air dirty laundry to outsiders here in town to spend money. ' Puzzled, you are correct about the blue flu....why endanger innocent civilians whose houses might catch fire, etc.? How about hitting the mayor right where it really hurts....in the pocketbook. A boycott of the city would make Mr. Mayor and the Council sit up and take notice. Follow the money. After all, if the Mayor had SPENT money on the fire department, giving them a GOOD, EFFECTIVE, KNOWLEDGEABLE leader, giving them proper equipment and training, perhaps we wouldn't be posting here and nine men would be with their families.