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26
Years Ago....
.....Learning from the past and taking
the time to train so we can be better
prepared is one of the best ways to
honor the Fallen Brothers.....Be an
"Angelo"....
By Chief Billy Goldfeder
WithTheCommand.Com |
Monday, August 2 was the 26th Anniversary
of the infamous fire at a Waldbaum's grocery store in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn,
that killed six firefighters who fell to their deaths when a truss roof
collapsed into the fire. I was working in NYC for I.S.O. at the time and
my partner, a retired FDNY Captain and wonderful man named Angelo Puleo
and I listened on our office fire radio to that horrible fire unfold the
morning of August 2, 1978. It was incredible radio traffic that day-to
say the least. And as we were listening, Angelo started to
tell me about that building-that he knew
from experience and proceeded to spend nearly the rest of the day teaching
me about truss construction-and the inherit dangers for firefighters. It
was classic "old firefighter teaching the kid" stuff-and some great training.
Angelo always did stuff like that wherever we were---only this day, it
was "as it happened" and as his heart ripped out hearing the multiple radio
transmissions.
Those firefighters left six young widows
and 18 children. In all six firefighters were killed, and more than 35
injured, some seriously. Killed in the blaze were: Covering Lt. James Cutillo
39, 33rd Battalion
FF Charles Bouton 38, Ladder Co. 156.
FF William O'Conner 29, Ladder Co. 156,
FF James McManus 48, Ladder Co.153
FF George Rice 38, Ladder Co.153
FF Harold Hastings 40, Ladder Co. 153.
For an excellent account of this tragic
fire along with some photos, go to: http://stevespak.com/waldbaums.html
. Steve is a well known and outstanding Fire Photgrapher-and has a great
site that covers this and other related events including 9/11. Here is
another site with additional information as well: www.nyfd.com/waldbaum.html
. Building construction issues continue to contribute to the deaths of
firefighters-and the more we learn, know
and remember about the past-the better we can be prepared to handle the
future. So many FF injuries and deaths are "history" repeating itself-but
it doesn't have to be that way. Do a "search" on this fire and also checkout
the two above links-print the stuff out and use it to educate your crews
along with Frank Brannigans book. Search within WithTheCommand.com for
TRUSS BUILDING articles and use this information to "awaken" your firefighters-especially
those who may not understand-or may not act as if they care. They really
DO care-it's just a matter of YOU motivating them. In almost all cases,
young firefighters love to hear the stories of jobs that have occured prior
to their getting on-here is an opportunity. Show them the pics-let them
read the stories and let them learn how this can effect them. Be an ANGELO
and take the time to teach, explain and educate-it really matters.
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