By Justin Sondel
The Buffalo News
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Standing in the empty lot where Buffalo firefighters Jonathan Croom and Lt. Charles “Chip” McCarthy died in the line of duty 15 years ago, Buffalo Fire Commissioner William Renaldo remembered them as heroes.
He said their deaths are a constant reminder of the risks they all take every time they go out on a call.
“It’s a dangerous job defined by uncertainty, and unpredictability and that’s just part of the nature of the job,” Renaldo said in remarks in a video posted to the Buffalo Fire Department-Helmets & Hose Wagons Facebook page.
Croom and McCarthy were part of a unit that responded to a large fire at a deli on Genesee Street on Aug. 24, 2009. McCarthy went back into the burning building believing there was a person still trapped inside. He fell through the floor and into the basement. Croom went in after McCarthy in an attempt to save him and also fell through the floor.
The gathering at the Genesee Street lot, which was attended by family, friends and firefighters, took place at 3:51 a.m. Saturday to mark the exact time the firefighters perished. It was part of several days of honoring the pair, which included the flying of flags at half-staff at every city fire house Friday and a speech by Buffalo Fire Department Chaplain Fr. Paul Seil at the Main Street fire house where they worked.
Renaldo, reached by phone Sunday, said commemorating fallen firefighters is important to the culture of the department. It helps heal the community, including the families who know the risks their loved ones take on in the job, he said.
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“They depend on us to keep your loved ones safe - brothers, sisters, uncles, fathers, family, friends, all that,” he said. “So, it’s a big responsibility, and that’s on us to make sure that they make it home every day.”
He also said these events are important for young firefighters – nearly half of the department’s ranks have been sworn in over the last five years – to feel the gravity and responsibility that they have to one another.
“It’s important for the newer members to see how we honor our heroes,” Renaldo said. “And that’s what Jonathan and Chip were. They were heroes.”
Renaldo said there are always lessons learned in these tragic situations.
The department has continued to evolve in its education and training regiments and works hard to prepare its firefighters for all situations, he added.
“From every tragedy, something grows out of it, something positive,” Renaldo said. “We have to take something from it.”
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