| Charleston, SC (September 21, 2007) -- South | | | | DeMarco notes in a recent report, "Some say if |
| Carolina OSHA didn't waste any time issuing its | | | | that's the case, then maybe it's also time for Riley |
| report on the June 18th Sofa Store fire in which | | | | to find a new job." |
| nine Charleston Firefighters lost their lives. The | | | | "The new report is a clarion call for change." says |
| summary, which was issued by the agency earlier | | | | Charleston Firefighters Association Local 61 |
| today, cites the City of Charleston Fire | | | | President Roger Yow. |
| Department with willful and serious violations that | | | | "It's no longer just fire fighters who claim the |
| led to the death the firefighters. | | | | Charleston Fire Department is run in an unsafe |
| In the notice of citation and penalty, there are | | | | manner," Yow notes. "Now state officials also are |
| four separate violations beginning with the "willful | | | | condemning Chief Thomas's failed leadership." |
| violation." SC OSHA reports that the CFD "...knew | | | | Mayor Riley says the city will vigorously challenge |
| or should have known that the command system | | | | citations for the safety violations issued by SC |
| does not provide for the overall safety of | | | | OSHA. He feels that the state agency "...has |
| emergency personnel and their activities." | | | | wrongly punished the city. |
| The report adds three serious violations which | | | | The sofa store fire that claimed the Charleston |
| include, no operating procedure for fighting a fire | | | | Nine is the worst on-the-job loss for the North |
| in a trussed roof building; that body protection | | | | American fire service since the events of 9/11 |
| was not required to be worn by the nine dead | | | | 01, and the story is being followed closely by |
| firemen; and that self contained breathing | | | | fire-rescue agencies around the world. |
| apparatus was not required to be worn at all | | | | SC OSHA's report is a wake up call for the fire |
| times by four firemen who were exposed to | | | | service and has national ramifications. It sends a |
| smoke and toxic substances. | | | | message to mayors, county executives and fire |
| The total fine levied against the CFD is less than | | | | department board members, nationwide, to |
| $10,000. But according to firefighter safety | | | | choose their leaders based on skill - not popularity. |
| advocate, Chief Billy Goldfeder, "The fine dollar | | | | During the past generation the fire service here in |
| amount isn't really the issue at this point." He | | | | America has seen more change than it did during |
| continues, "The fact that they (the department) | | | | its first 300 years. In my mind it was just a |
| were found in violation and those violations | | | | matter of time before an incident, like the sofa |
| directly contributed to the Line of Duty Deaths of | | | | fire in Charleston, took place. Quite possibly it |
| nine CFD Firefighters is the issue." | | | | could have occurred in some other American city, |
| The citations, especially the willful violation, have | | | | because CFD isn't the only fire rescue agency |
| rocked the firefighting world. In South Carolina, | | | | that still operates in the past. |
| response from professional firefighters was quick. | | | | Chief Rusty Thomas' choice to ignore firefighting |
| Michael Parrotta of the South Carolina Professional | | | | procedures that have been universally accepted is |
| Firefighters Association says firefighters have lost | | | | clearly a disregard for the men and women who |
| faith in Chief Rusty Thomas, and called for his | | | | serve under him. It's time for Thomas to step |
| immediate resignation. | | | | down, and allow the Charleston Fire Department |
| Just one day after the blaze, many firefighters | | | | to be rebuilt. It's the best scenario for the citizens |
| urged that Thomas be suspended. But Charleston | | | | of one of America's most beautiful cities - one |
| mayor, Joe Riley, has noted on several occasions | | | | that will allow Charleston firefighters to |
| that as long as he's mayor, Thomas will remain | | | | demonstrate their true skills and potential. |
| the city's fire chief. But TV journalist Sarah | | | | |