There are so many lessons learned from CHARLESTON, SC–on June 18, 2007-where 9 Charleston Firefighters were killed at the infamous Sofa Super Store Fire. They are Captain Louis Mulkey, Captain Mike Benke, FF Melvin Champaign, Captain Billy Hutchingson, Engineer Brad Baity, FF Earl Drayton, Engineer Mark Kelsey, Engineer Michael French, and FF Brandon Thompson.
ODDS ARE: MANY OR MOST OF THE FIREFIGHTERS YOU WORK WITH TODAY WERE NOT FIREFIGHTERS WHEN THIS FIRE OCCURRED. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO USE THE BELOW VIDEOS & LINKS TO EDUCATE THEM ON THIS "FIRE THEY MUST KNOW"
In both good and not-so-good ways, some of the best learning can be done from those who have experienced and survived the worst. Specifically, to truly understand what the Charleston (S.C.) Firefighters went through on, after and since June 18, 2007 when they lost 9 Firefighters in the Line of Duty….one would have to be a CFD Firefighter.
There is one video that is essential for everyone of us to watch. New firefighters, old firefighters, fire officers, fire chiefs- everyone. The CFD members have horrifically “been there and done that” …from the fire, to the lessons learned …to the total transformation of the CFD in honor of those 9 Firefighters….this video outlines where they have been, what happened, and what they have done about it. You will hear firsthand from those who were there-as well as from those who have arrived since that fire to honor the Charleston 9.
WATCH This Phenomenal Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqiRN9rygoI
RELATED RESOURCES:
---IN DEPTH VIDEO WITH NARRATION FROM NIST & IAFF:
(Perfect for company in quarters training)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLsZylEzk5I
---INITIAL 911 CALLS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WieG_eKsJug
---RAW VIDEO FROM THE SCENE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr3GLELnqkk
---3 MINUTE QUICK REVIEW VIDEO/AUDIO FROM THE SCENE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WieG_eKsJug
---SLIDE SHOW WITH NARRATION:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba30HgUDD14
---CITY of CHARLESTON REPORT (The Routley Report)
https://media.cdn.lexipol.com/pdfs/charlestonfirereport_101707.pdf
Lots to learn in honor of those Firefighters who were killed on this date, 2007.