OT- 9 Firefighters Die In Charleston, SC

[Dallas]

I'm posting this because I know we have a few firefighters here on the board and I know it gets said often, but maybe not often enough.

                                      THANK YOU

My heart and prayers go out to each and every member of the firefighting family, their coworkers and friends.

http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6677598

[Don4107]

Heartfelt condolences to all involved. 

Every time something like this happens it takes me back a few years ago to a grass seed plant fire that was set by a fire department officer (arsonist) in a neighboring district.   I am a Captain in our volunteer district.  We had just pulled our crews out to regroup and reassess  our strategy as the wind was shifting.  Seconds after they all cleared there was a dust explosion.  Two of the people we had just pulled out were my twin sons.  Thankfully nobody was hurt. 

I know how I felt, I can't imagine their grief. 

[Hi yo silver]

Don, this must have hit close to home with you.  I'm glad your incident turned out better than the tragedy in Charleston.  I was told in a fire officers' class in Maryland years ago, that the problem with many buildings with the type construction that the one in Charleston apparently had, is that they often have unprotected steel trusses.  (i.e., no sprayed-on insulation)  When the steel is heated to somewhere around 1500 degrees F., the steel loses its strength and can collapse without warning.  Some fire officer had to make a tough decision, whether to send those guys in or make an exterior attack.  Since there were employees still in there, those guys had the challenge of finding them and getting them out alive.   They gave their lives accomplishing that job.  What a sad, sad day.   

[JackConrad]

As a recently retired FireFighter/Paramedic (after 28 years service), that news story brought a tear to my eye and memories of a couple "close calls" I had over the years. All those involved incuding their families and fellow firefighters are in our prayers.  Jack

[Gary LaBombard]

Fire Fighters, Policeman, Paramedics & bless our Soldiers
All protectors of our lives I appreciate and respect and find hard to accept that they do sacrifice their lives for us each day. I wish we could live without so much tragedy as we now experience. Our heart felt condolences always to these people and respect for what they go through each day.  I hope all the families and other firefighters involved at this station can have the strenth together to get through this terrible loss. I know we are supposed to accept these situations in life but it is so difficult to accept that tragedies like this happen for a reason, I can't imagine what? 
Gary

[Dreamscape]

After reading about the this horrible incedent I could not help but think of the wives, children, family members and friends of these brave men. My heart goes out to them in this time of sorrow. It will be a difficult road ahead for all of them. I trust that counselors will be provided to help deal with grieving and the tremendous loss they have incurred. I cannot fathom those feelings that they all must experience. May God grant them peace and serenity now and forever.

Paul

[brojcol]

Some run from trouble, but thank God for the ones who rush in headlong in the middle of it.

Where angels fear to tread.

[grantgoold]

As a lifelong professional rescuer and currently a director of the largest fire department in Northern California, this is the type of news that you dread. I too add my sympathies to the families of the fallen heroes.

Let us all spend just a few silent moments in reflection for this tremendous loss.

Thanks

Grant
Sacramento