The Fire Department and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health today released reports regarding a fatal fire at 1655 Middleton St. on Dec. 9, 2014. The basement fire killed Firefighter Joyce Craig, who was the first female firefighter from the Department to die in the line of duty.
“Joyce Craig’s death was devastating to her family and to the Department,” Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel said. “We hope the lessons learned from these reports will prevent such tragedies in the future.”
The Fire Marshal’s Office worked for more than a year to compile the Department’s internal review. Investigators spent seven days examining the fire scene and interviewed more than 45 people. Their findings echo many conclusions in the NIOSH report regarding training, communication and equipment. Several of these recommendations have been addressed; anticipated resources in the budget for Fiscal Year 2018 would continue that progress.
Among the recent changes:
- SCBA/PASS equipment has been updated
- Battalion Chiefs are now stationed in dispatch center to improve communication during incidents
- Field Incident Safety Officer positions have been created to improve communication/safety on the fireground
- Firefighter positions added mid-FY17 will help increase relief factor and allow for more on-duty training
- FY18 budget proposes 30 additional firefighters and four new dedicated Training Officer positions
Commissioner Thiel met with Joyce Craig’s family earlier today to discuss the reports. Additional meetings are planned with Department leaders and members in the field. Thiel will be available to answer questions from the media on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Fire Administration Building, 240 Spring Garden St.
The Department’s report and the NIOSH report can be viewed online.