Posted on 02/14/2020 9:00:15 AM PST by DUMBGRUNT
Before anyone can become a firefighter, they first must take an oath: a promise to put the lives of others before their own, even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice.
So when Capt. Daniel Dwyer of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department stepped into a burning Northwest Atlanta home on June 28, 2019, to rescue the 95-year-old woman trapped inside, it seemed as though he was simply doing his job.
That is until he got suspended for 48 hours — without pay — for trying to save someone’s life. And despite his best efforts, Sallie Skrine, the woman Dwyer was rescuing, died after succumbing to her injuries.
“While performing your duties, you entered the structure without your crew members which is in immediate conflict with no freelancing, accountability, and maintaining crew integrity,” Fire Chief Randall Slaughter wrote in the complaint against Dwyer.
“Time is of the essence. Captain Dwyer did exactly what firefighters are sworn oath to do. We are absolutely against the decision to suspend him,” Gerdis said. “Not only does he have to live with the guilt of not being able to save the homeowner, but now he and his family have to deal with the financial repercussions of not getting paid for 48 hours just for trying to save someone’s life.”
(Excerpt) Read more at wgntv.com ...
The book on responsible behavior was for a men’s Bible study group. It was deemed “homophobic “ and he was fired by the City Council.
Everyone knows there should be a check-in station at the mailbox which indicates who is inside, and designated as expendables, in case of fires.
That goes beyond honor.
Suspended for not following procedures, not for trying to save a woman. A 2 day suspension is in order.
The headline is in error.
Save a life, get suspended. Prevent someone from robbing you, lose your job. What kind of society do we live in?
I can see the reasoning in this rule. Running into a burning building is dangerous even for a team of firefighters. One fireman running in solo runs a high risk of needing rescued himself, putting his fellow firefighters at risk.
Most firefighters I know get good coin.
Maybe this guy should work for a governmental unit that pays him better.
To say the least, an upside down one.
Correct.
He’s a Capt. All he had to do was call out for someone to go with him.
Must have been a commissioner on scene and saw it or he disciplined a grunt in the past that was there and reported.
No structure is entered alone.
I suppose he should have just waited outside until her screaming stopped.
So sadly true...Why we see so many savable structures turned into parking lots these days because aggressive interior attack firefighting tactics are being replaced by the “surround and drown” approach...
The extremely risk averse careerist mentality, guided by bean counters and attorneys, afraid of their own shadows where career advancement repercussion fears prevail, are now running the show...
“The Courage To Act” was one of our big three when I was “on the job”, and failure to act to save a life was considered dereliction of duty...A firefighter dedicates himself to the lives of other first...Othersise it’s just another job, like trash collection...Apparently, in some places no longer...Another tradition falls to “rules”...I was taught “rules are for fools”...A firefighter thinks for himself and acts!
At least, the good Captain followed his conscience, and did what he knew was right...He may pay a price now, but the reward comes later, and from his peers in his reputation...I’d be proud to back him up on a handline anytime!
BINGO!!!
Aggressive interior attack can mean opening doors wnd windows, and letting in oxygen, which can cause a very rapid ignition.
Fire science has come a very long way. Current tactics are based on the latest knowledge and focuses on firefighter safety, and effective use of resources.
Saving life is a first priority, but very few people survive a fully involved structure fire. If you’ve ever seen one up close and personal, you know what I mean. No amount of protective gear will save you from that kind of heat, so even if you tried to enter, you just won’t be able.
We have watch ed a lot of videos in training where a fire was over vented and the building virtuallt exploded in flame.
Current fire science says get to the actual flames and put as much water on it as you can. Avoid over venting, be selective and act smart. We’re volunteers, we don’t take any oath that says we must risk our lives, but what we do say is risk a little to save a little, risk a lot to save a lot.
It could be this captain was the only one in bunker gear near enough the building who could get in in time. It was a judgement not to wait, which could cause a delay. Sad that it didn’t work out for him, but i don’t blame him for trying. I think a reprimand would have been more appropriate than suspension.
Yes, it seems horrid, but there is a process; it is not a process that takes a long period of time, but he did not follow it.
If he had got trapped, they might not have known he was in there. If he had needed a second hand to help rescue her, he didn’t have one. In this case she died, but in other cases her death might have been because he did not follow the procedure, and he might be dead, and maybe other firefighters would have put their lives at risk to try to rescue him.
I do not want a single firefighter to die trying to save my “structure” or my possessions. Save a life, sure. But buildings can be rebuilt. I have insurance. It would be crazy for someone to get themselves killed rescuing my ottoman.
THe details from the story:
“By the time Dwyer’s crew arrived at the scene, he was dressed and prepared to initiate a primary search. He was able to locate an unconscious Skrine and remove her from the fire before the rest of his team had finished dressing into their firefighter gear and tools, Gerdis said.”
So, for some reason, he was the only guy who was able to get all his gear on during the drive. But that also means that when he went in, there were no other firefighters who could come help him.
In this particular instance, he made it back out; in other instances, he might have needed that second person to perform the rescue. It is easy to imagine a scenario where he cannot get her out, and then he is also trapped, and now the next two people in have to decide which one to rescue.
Note also that, cutting to the chase: He was not in time. Waiting for another firefighter would not have made a difference. They make it sound like it matter by telling you she was alive when he brought her out, but she died. If he had waited for another firefighter to be ready, she would still be dead. And if he had died because there was not another firefighter, it would have been two people dead.
THe rules exist for a reason. The people who wrote the rules KNOW that it leads to situations like this. And they have evaluated the risks, and have determined that the rules are better overall for life than the alternative.
If it made sense to just run into buildings alone, that’s what the rules would be.
“I do not get it. Was he supposed to LEAVE her there? How could that even be his call? or the call of anyone?”
In a word...
PROCEDURE.
LIVE RESCUE on A&E Mondays at 9 pm. 2 hours, (lately 3 hours). GREAT SHOW. I can’t believe all the ACTION!
A GREAT companion show to LIVE PD. A&E Fri 9-12, Sat 9-12.
Quote of last week. Old lady says. “I’m not moving to Canada, I’m staying right here so I can vote for Trump!”
No.
I side with the Department.
No freelancing.
Buddy rule.
SOPs have a purpose.
I’m glad he’s safe and nobody had to drag HIM out.
A suspension is fair.
Experience is my teacher...
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