Comments on: 9 Firefighters Perish In Charleston Blaze

Firemen Killed Fighting Furniture Store Fire; Deadliest Disaster For Firefighters Since 9/11

[shammy0202]

seven-pesos

You are a cold blooded person. Lives were lost in the process of saving others. Your day of need will come as will for your loved ones. I hope people don't have the reaction you are having right now. May God have mercy on your soul. You will need it. This could have happened anywhere. What does the fact that it happened in the south have to do with anything?

[fireprof]

I am a Fire Officer (19 years) in a full time paid Fire Dept. of over 900 uniformed personnel. I have read all the comments posted and would agree that the most appropriate thing for us to do at this time is to grieve with the families and keep them in our prayers. I would also encourage everyone to contribute monetarily to the families, as they will have great need for our assistance in the coming days ahead. I do not fault those who have questions about fire ground procedures and decisions that were made during the course of the fire. It is a normal reaction for some people to ask why and how the events unfolded as they did. Perhaps that is their way of dealing with so great a loss. For the good of the Fire Service in general, we need to ask those questions and see if we can find ways to prevent the same thing from happening again in the future. Personnally, I believe an investigation for the purpose of developing after action reports should wait. Now is the time to be sensitive to the needs of the families to grieve. May God bless them in the days ahead.

[kkwas]

I don't understand the point in many people posting comments criticizing, blaming, and even some, downplaying, the saddness of this event. If fingers are to be pointed, blame to be made, crys to be heard, does it have to be done here, and right now? Just for a minute, take a little longer, and thank the people who lost their lives. Maybe they should have been in there, maybe not. But that does not take away from the fact that some are without husbands, dads, brothers, friends, etc. Just shut your mouth for a while, say a prayer (or atleast mutter some thanks), and continue with your questions tomorrow. Right now is the time for appreciation, gratitude, and sorrow. Hopefully we will all learn from this, and soon maybe fewer will die, and even fewer will be so negative. There is a time and place for everything, and right now just be respectful. My prayers are with the families affected.

[jeanne-ok]

My hubby is a firefighter (24 years now)....and
would go in without hesitation if it meant saving any of you, regardless of your opinions.
He's searched many a building/home after being
told "someone's still inside" only to find
out that actually no one was inside. That's part of the job - a noble part - others above self.

God bless these families that have lost their loved ones.

[vcfmama]

I join my prayers with those of the nation to comfort the families of those who so selflessly gave their lives. As the wife of a firefighter, I cannot imagine what they are going through. The knowledge that they died saving lives has to be of comfort. Comments about their lives being lost in vain are not helpful. There have been reports that they believed someone else was still in the building. When they lost contact with outside, other firefighters did what any other firefighter would do - they rushed in to save their brothers. They are heroes, plain and simple. They know going in to the job that there is a risk, and their families live with that risk every day. But the possibility of making a difference keeps these guys going - in the midst of inadequate pay (most require a second job to make ends meet), political garbage, and the risks they take every time they go out on a call. God bless all our firefighters, police officers, and soldiers, for laying it all on the line for other people. May we appreciate them, not just today, but everyday.

[netadmin1-2009]

fd-ac

sir - thanks for your comments. It's tough to deal with losing 9 brothers.

[fd_ac]

I am appalled at the negative comments and the lack of intelligence regarding the fire service by some of the comments...yes, its easy to sit on the sidelines and throw stones - which most of you generating the negativity most likely spend your obviously meaningless lives doing. These 9 did not go to work to die - nobody made an intentional decision to send these 9 brave firefighters to their death.... The focus must be on the families of these 9, and the members of the Charleston Fire Department...to restore their lives, and the rest of the fire service family to learn from this tragic event. Instead of bashing them - say a prayer for them and their families...Lord knows, they would have worked as hard to save you.

[netadmin1-2009]

thg - you're not even worth engaging. Have a great evening.

[shammy0202]

Little you knew that morning God was going to call their names, in life you loved them dearly, in death you do the same. It broke your hearts to lose them, they did not go alone. For part of you went with them, the day God called them home. They left you beautiful memories, thier love is still your guide and though you cannot see them, they are always by your side. Your family chains are broken and nothing seems the same, but as God calls you one by one those chains will link again.

God Bless all of you and may He give you the strength you need during this very difficult period in each of your lives.

[netadmin1-2009]

thg - you a firefighter?