There are lots of discussions these days about firefighting. Some of it is good and some of it leads to head scratching. But that’s okay, let’s keep talking and learning from facts, experiences and each other.
While we are talking we need to not lose focus of the fact that there are those fires where we must decide immediately what to do. Unless you really are not ‘into the job’ (career, volunteer-whatever, as John Salka says) you have, in the back of your mind is the understanding that the next fire may be “The” fire. It’s why we plan, train and train. And train some more.
When we get to “The” fire we must rapidly size-up the scene, looking at the conditions and needs while keeping in mind our immediately available resources.
There was a horrible dwelling fire in Baldwinsville, New York last Sunday that I want to pass on to you. It was “The” fire to the members of this fire department.
Two-year-old Nora Lamirande was napping inside her upstairs bedroom Sunday while her mom and four-year old brother were outside in the nice weather. The brother ran to a neighbor’s home and his mother followed after. When she looked back to return home she saw her home, with her little girl inside, on fire.
The Fire
Neighbors called 911 immediately. The Baldwinsville firefighters responded fast; really fast. Neighbors tried to help until the first fire department unit arrived, which did so within three minutes. Neighbors first tried to rescue the little girl but the fire was too heavy and the smoke too thick. Fire investigators said the fire started in the kitchen because of something on the stove.
Baldwinsville Firefighters responded in minutes. Impressive response times for any FD.
1431: Dispatched
1434: On Scene
1434: Working Fire Transmitted
1434: Second Alarm Transmitted
1435: Crew goes in and finds child on second floor inside a crib
1439: Firefighter (Deputy Chief) collapses on front lawn after handing off child for treatment
40-year veteran firefighter Deputy Chief Anthony DiGregorio was the first to arrive and attempt entry, but the fire conditions stopped his heroic attempts. He tried his best and he gave it his all. He made a difficult, but no other option, decision to wait for the engine company that was on the way, while he sized up the fire and determined exactly what to do when companies arrived.
Chief DiGregorio told the media “I didn’t want that child to die alone. People know me. I would have… if I could have gotten in there; I would have gotten in there.”
Chief DiGregorio told Engine 7 to hit the stairs with their line. The fire conditions were extremely heavy but there was a baby inside and a family on the front lawn. Engine 7’s crew, led by Lieutenant Corey Perkins did just that, protected the stairs. They needed a way to get in, and get out, if at all possible. Ladder 2’s crew, with Lieutenant Tony Harper, went up the stairs behind DiGregorio and Battalion Chief Tim Kennedy, also on the scene, to protect their means of egress.
After chiefs DiGregorio and Kennedy found the baby, thanks to the engine and truck crews, they removed her and handed her over to EMS. Chief DiGregorio collapsed on the front lawn; a superhuman attempt in a beyond human situation where the fire conditions were extremely oppressive. Chiefs DiGregorio, Kennedy and their companies did what they did based upon decades of experience and decades of training noting that the two go hand-in-hand. When we follow this example, when “The” fire comes in, we apply our very best in a battle that we sometimes win and sometimes don’t win. It is not always within our power.
The loss of a victim is never easy.
The loss of a child victim goes beyond that.
While this is about as tough as tough gets, those Baldwinsville firefighters can hopefully find some level of peace knowing that they did what firefighters are expected to do, and they did their very best.
Hearing and then reading about the loss of this child hit me.
Middle of the day?
How can that happen?
All the questions go through our minds.
I’m a Dad and I’m a Poppie. I LOVE being a Dad and a Poppie. They are my two without question most important jobs. If you are a parent or a grandparent you know the love and feeling of “I would do anything for these kids” and when you are a firefighter, it multiplies and emotionally explodes in numerous dimensions especially when you hear about “The” fire. In this case the Baldwinsville Fire Department members experienced “The” fire with all the emotions that go along with it, as parents and as firefighters.
The fact regarding the cause of the fire is that food was left on the stove. We have all done it, but this time it resulted in a horrific outcome for the family. There is another fact also and that is that the Baldwinsville firefighters did their very best. As firefighters we often feel that our best (solid training, rapid response, etc.) is not enough. Sometimes it isn’t but it’s all we can do when faced with “The” fire.
Our condolences to everyone involved in this very tough situation.
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