This is Salisbury City Manager Dave Treme’s response to the Charlotte Observer, as submitted to that newspaper:
The safety of our firefighters has always been and remains the top priority of the Salisbury Fire Department and we will continue to be open and factual with the events that took place on March 7, 2008.
The North Carolina Department of Labor stated that “it was clear that firefighter safety was the top priority at the fire, as operations alternated between offensive and defensive based on conditions and frequent personnel accountability reports were taken.” Further, the Department of Labor cited the cooperation by the Salisbury Fire Department during the investigation. After the Department of Labor released the findings, the City of Salisbury met and spoke with all media outlets that requested interviews. We will continue to be open and cooperative during the investigation with the public and the media.
The City of Salisbury does not believe the Department of Labor violations were a factor in the cause of loss of life; however, the Salisbury Fire Department has taken several steps to improve our policies and practices. Even though the Department of Labor compliance officers found the Salisbury Fire Department to have a well-written and effective safety program and proper personal protective equipment, the following proactive steps have taken place due to the recommendations of the North Carolina Department of Labor:
– Updated the Respiratory Protection Policy to include annual fit testing.
– Purchasing new frontline radios that are more rugged and water-resistant than standard-issue radios.
– Developed and implemented a care and maintenance policy for all portable radios, including annual bench testing and daily testing of transmission and receiving capabilities.
– Approved the purchase of a mobile repeater to improve on-site radio signals.
– Reinforced standing policies regarding use of the buddy system and crew continuity.
– Reconfiguring our fire company staffing to address two-in two-out standards.
– Continue to train all firefighters on self-survival skills and mayday operations.
The Salisbury Fire Department is continuing to investigate the fire and we ask for everyone’s patience during this process. In March 2008, a fire-cause investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms in cooperation with the Salisbury Fire Department and Salisbury Police Department. In April 2008, on-scene personnel were interviewed by the North Carolina Department of Labor, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and the Salisbury Fire Department. We expect a preliminary After-Action Report to be finalized in the coming weeks, and a fire-service panel will review the findings from the Department of Labor, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, and Salisbury Fire Department in order to make recommendations regarding the safety of firefighters. We are committed to learning from this event and implementing improvements that positively impact firefighter safety not only in Salisbury but across the fire service.
Chief Parnell has taken full responsibility for the Salisbury Fire Department, and he and his staff are working diligently to conclude the investigation of the Salisbury Millworks fire. The City of Salisbury stands behind Chief Parnell’s leadership and fully supports him during this investigation.