The critical role of Incdient Commanders was once again underlined today in as tough a way as possible-dealing with the death of Firefighters. In Philadelphia today FDNY Deputy Chief Vincent Dunn (Ret) and former Philly Fire Commissioner Roger Ulshafer told the City council committee that top management made a basic mistake on the morning of the fire; in his view they failed to establish what’s called a collapse danger zone at the scene. That’s a zone that would be clear of all citizens and firefighters.
“Disgraceful.” That’s how Ulshafer described how the department commanders handled the April Kensington warehouse blaze that claimed two firefighters’ lives.
“There was the incident commander, his staff, the division commanders, the sector commanders, at least three safety officers,” Ulshafer said. “And yet no one, no one had the sense to establish a clearly defined collapse zone around the entire building. If I was to describe the command control and emergency scene management, my definition would be disgraceful.”
Philly City Council’s Public Safety Committee called the hearing to examine policies and procedures in the department in the wake of the April inferno.
“There was the incident commander, his staff, the division commanders, the sector commanders, at least three safety officers,” Ulshafer said. “And yet no one, no one had the sense to establish a clearly defined collapse zone around the entire building. If I was to describe the command control and emergency scene management, my definition would be disgraceful.”
Philly City Council’s Public Safety Committee called the hearing to examine policies and procedures in the department in the wake of the April inferno.
Also testifying was a former New York City Deputy Fire Chief, Vincent Dunn, who shared Ulshafer’s concern about the lack of a collapse zone. “If there is no potential to save lives or property, there is no justification to expose fire department members,” he said. Dunn said the department’s way of keeping track of firefighters, a command board, is obsolete. “That’s prehistoric. We (in New York) had the same command board before 9-11. Now we have a command board that’s like an iPad.” Philly FD members Lt. Robert Neary and Firefighter Daniel Sweeney died in the Line of Duty on April 9th, when a wall in a store neighboring the warehouse collapsed. More to follow.
