Thomas' life devoted to fighting firesThursday, May 15, 2008
Jan. 28, 1958: Russell B. Thomas Jr. is born into a family of longtime firefighters. June 1976: Thomas graduates from Fort Johnson High on James Island and immediately joins the Charleston Fire Department at age 18, turning down a baseball scholarship. Jan. 13, 1989: Thomas becomes a battalion chief. 1990: Thomas earns "Fireman of the Year" award from the Exchange Club of Charleston. June 17, 1991: An explosion at the Albright & Wilson chemical plant kills nine workers, prompting an investigation of the Fire Department's safety procedures. Jan. 9, 1992: Thomas begins tenure as fire chief. May 1998: The Insurance Services Offices gives the department a Class 1 ranking. June 18, 2007: Sofa Super Store fire kills nine city firefighters. June 28, 2007: Charleston Firefighters Association President Roger Yow calls on Thomas to improve safety standards to match national guidelines. Aug. 18, 2007: An independent panel hired by the city to evaluate the Fire Department and what happened at the Sofa Super Store fire releases an emergency report identifying deficiencies needing prompt attention. They include staffing shortages, lax safety enforcement and failure to keep pace with modern national firefighting techniques. May 8, 2008: National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety releases draft federal report critical of the department's handling of the blaze. The report cites lack of water as a defining problem the night of the fire. May 14, 2008: Thomas announces his retirement as fire chief. |
Article tools |
|
Notice about comments: Charleston.net is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Charleston.net does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not charleston.net. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "suggest removal" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Full terms and conditions can be read here. |
Comments
This article has 10 comment(s)
Posted by ColdBeer on May 15, 2008 at 7 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good Riddance. Long over due departure.
Posted by SCgal on May 15, 2008 at 7:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you for all the years of service and dedication~~~
Enjoy your retirment!!
Posted by sadjamesislandgirl on May 15, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Coldbeer
get a life this man helped his community in more ways than you will ever know.
go have a cold beer you are an idiot.
Posted by UpperSCFF on May 15, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sadjamesislandgirl,
While I would agree "Coldbeer" may have been a little raw in his comments but you never know what his experiences with Chief Thomas may have been. Just because a person is well-liked or is a good baseball coach does not make him a good Fire Chief. I wish the uninformed public would quit confusing the two.
FTM-PTB
Posted by geekguy2008 on May 15, 2008 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
After 30+ years in the fire fighting business, you'd think rusty would have learned something about fighting fires, but I guess not.
You can tell by the way he talks and the words he uses that he has a very low IQ and a low education level.
Posted by LiveYourBestLife on May 15, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As a writer, how is this an article for "Thomas' life devoted to fighting fires." Write an article for the 30 plus years of service, not a list of facts. Present the news as the news is, not what slant you want to put on it.
Pray always!
Posted by ColdBeer on May 15, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I pray for cheaper gas, cheaper beer and better fishing.
Posted by bootlicked on May 16, 2008 at 1:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just the tip of the iceburg.
Posted by CHRISJIII on May 16, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's way past due for this to have happened. Maybe now the CFD can receive the equipment and training that they need to do their job more effectively without an uneducated nitwit calling all of the wrong shots. Beat it!!!!
Posted by a_set_love on May 17, 2008 at 12:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Riley, I hope you remember that a simple majority vote by city council can call for a special election ballot question on changing Charlestons form of government.
Its "State Law" Mr. Riley, you remember don't you.
What better timing than Novembers General Election, whilst everyone votes for a new president.
A change from strong mayor weak council, to strong council with a city manager or weak mayor.
Its coming Mr Riley, do you hear it in the wind, its the cries of the Charleston 9 demanding justice.
What better justice, after what you have done to them and Charleston, than to be made an empty figurehead.
The "Perfect Storm" approaches fast, Mr Riley and change is in its wind.