I love Thomas!

I certainly stand corrected and appreciate your educated response. There are so many things I love about this small town environment as compared with most of the large cities where I have lived but as you say, a small town mentality can kill. My most sincere hope is that this town and its fire department will learn from this terrible story and not repeat mistakes. I just hate to see Chief Thomas bear all the blame.

Chris, you are correct. I have been in Fire/EMS for about six years, and only two of those in Charleston. I have to disagree with you though about a “model”. These do exist in the forms of Phoenix FD, SLCFD, Las Vegas FD, Seattle FD, Atlanta FD, Miami FRD, Jacksonville FRD…
All of the above are Class 1 ISO or 2 ISO(so proudly displayed here unlike on any apparatus or uniform in the above). CFD has not even met bare minimum national standards yet as far as tactics, equipment and training. The models exist but were not followed. If you refer to RT’s comments: “We come from a long line of traditional firefighting, and we are never going to get away from that — never”.
Well that is what CFD was up against, and still is to a degree. In Charleston, we live in a reactive, not proactive, graveyard mentality. Policies are only changed when people get hurt or die. This is not a sacrifice but a means to the end. I also believe you left out the most important part of the South, the friends and family program of employment.
I know RT is a nice guy, but that is no excuse. Have you read the NIOSH or Routley I or II yet?

Mr. Gardner, I must assume you are a Fire Fighter from your comment,for which I am grateful but I certainly question how one would put up with supposed “incompetence” for 16 years in such a dangerous field? Unfortunately, there is no test or model for this kind of tragedy until there is one. I just hate to see a sacrificial lamb to wipe the slate clean.

I think the only thing would keeping applicants away would be political troubles. Seeing how long it took to “retire” RT and to encourage progressive thinking, fast new change will be a approached slowly. Think about what happened to the new North Charleston from Oklahoma City. He did so much good then was fired. However Chief Mullens is doing a great job for the city.

I think both of you will find people who agree with your feelings.  Now my question is...how many qualified applicants would want to take this job right now?  I wonder if the turmoil would make this job unattractive to some of the most qualified?

Michael Gardner

How is that Chris (no last name). I am sad to see that there is such support of incompetence and total lack of education in Charleston. Just because he is a nice guy doesn’t make qualified. In addition, I was there, were you? I see Rusty leaving as a start to the resolution that is months if not years overdue.

How disappointing to read those remarks about a man whose has committed his career to Charleston. Frankly, that was a cowardly thing to say about him without even your name M!
I am sad to learn Chief Rusty Thomas is leaving before there is true resolution to this Charleston tragedy. Wonder where M will be when it is?

Rusty’s retirement is the end of 16+ years of failed leadership that left 9 men dead in an insured furniture store fire. Good riddens!