Dear Chief,
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting your city. The people were friendly, and I enjoyed the several hours I spent there. While in town I happened to observe your fire department operating at a structure fire in a small, four-unit, single-story apartment.
For the most part, what I saw was a bunch of firefighters who really wanted to do a good job and who took pride in what they were doing. I commend them for that.
I also saw a lack of leadership on your part, as I watched the situation unfold. I was there shortly after the first units arrived. I believe this included a police car and a brush truck. I observed a fully bunked-out firefighter and a police officer in uniform force the door of an unoccupied apartment as light, but visible, smoke rolled out from the eaves above them. I also observed an elderly gentleman holding open the door to the neighboring apartment while smoke rolled out of the eaves above him. (I later found out he was the occupant of the apartment.) As you’ll recall, the elderly gentleman was holding open the door to the apartment where the fire was located.
Then I saw you exit the door that the elderly gentleman was holding open. I didn’t recognize you at first—you wearing your starched shirt and jeans and carrying a gun. Then I saw that you were holding a thermal imager and a radio.
I heard the radio call you made for the next-in company to take the hydrant at the A/B corner of the building, and shortly thereafter, the engine arrived and did just that. Three firefighters got off the engine: two fully packed-out and ready to work and the engineer. The two firefighters who were fully packed out and breathing air followed you (still dressed in your uniform of the day) into the apartment where the fire was, although no one knew exactly where the fire was inside the apartment. Smoke was getting thicker coming out the door and eaves, but the good citizen continued to hold the door for you and the two firefighters while you brought stuff out of the apartment. At any time, someone could have put one of those boxes at the door to hold it open, relieving the old-timer, but ...
At some point, you sent a firefighter to the roof. Good call. He knocked the turbine vent off. Moderate smoke poured out of the water heater vent. Your firefighter finished his task and came off the roof just like he should. But he left the axe on the roof. I looked, and if the roof had moved or the wind had blown just right, that axe would have slid straight down onto the old-timer’s head.
During all of this, a minivan raced around your fire truck, stopped in front of the 4th occupancy, and a lady got out and went into the apartment. I watched her stand guard over her door throughout the incident. No one ever said anything to her.
The engineer was working really hard, but it looked like it was the first time he’d ever tapped a hydrant. My buddy said he’s a career guy from another department who works part time for you. I certainly hope you’re not relying on his career department to train him for you, and not verifying that he has the skills to be your engineer.
Chief, what I saw was a bunch of guys who want to do a good job, and for the most part they did. I also saw a chief who does not set a good example for his troops. No bunker gear, no SCBA, no concern for the old-timer you walked by at least 10 times. I wonder how much training your troops get. Do you attend their training? To be fair, you were carrying a gun. For all I know, you may not have any fire training at all.
I do know that you demonstrated a complete lack of concern about the safety and well being of a bystander and yourself. Your firefighters saw that, too. If you don’t care about public safety, is it fair to expect them to? Do you expect them to?
Chief, are you leading by example? Or edict?
Sincerely,
Scott Cook