| Charleston, SC (September 21, 2007) -- South | | | | Sarah DeMarco notes in a recent report, |
| Carolina OSHA didn’t waste any time issuing | | | | “Some say if that's the case, then maybe it's |
| its report on the June 18th Sofa Store fire in | | | | also time for Riley to find a new job.“ |
| which nine Charleston Firefighters lost their lives. | | | | "The new report is a clarion call for change." says |
| The summary, which was issued by the agency | | | | Charleston Firefighters Association Local 61 |
| earlier 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 |
| four separate violations beginning with the willful | | | | also are condemning Chief Thomas's failed |
| violation. SC OSHA reports that the CFD | | | | leadership.” |
| “…knew or should have known that the | | | | Mayor Riley says the city will vigorously challenge |
| command system does not provide for the | | | | citations for the safety violations issued by SC |
| overall safety of emergency personnel and their | | | | OSHA. He feels that the state agency “…has |
| 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 |
| times by four firemen who were exposed to | | | | fire service and has national ramifications. It sends |
| smoke and toxic substances. | | | | a 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 |
| advocate, Chief Billy Goldfeder, “The fine | | | | popularity. |
| dollar amount isn't really the issue at this | | | | During the past generation the fire service here in |
| point.” He continues, “The fact that they | | | | America has seen more change than it did during |
| (the department) were found in violation and | | | | its first 300 years. In my mind it was just a |
| those violations directly contributed to the Line of | | | | matter of time before an incident, like the sofa |
| Duty Deaths of nine CFD Firefighters is the | | | | fire in Charleston, took place. Quite possibly it |
| 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 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 |
| immediate resignation. | | | | step down, and allow the Charleston Fire |
| Just one day after the blaze, many firefighters | | | | Department to be rebuilt. It’s the best |
| urged that Thomas be suspended. But Charleston | | | | scenario for the citizens of one of America’s |
| mayor, Joe Riley, has noted on several occasions | | | | most beautiful cities – one that will allow |
| that as long as he’s mayor, Thomas will | | | | Charleston firefighters to demonstrate their true |
| remain the city’s fire chief. But TV journalist | | | | skills and potential. |