NORTH CHARLESTON- A North Charleston Fire Department memo reveals possible problems in a fire that injured three of their own. Now the agency that overlooks workplace safety, known as OSHA confirms they are now looking into how the city handled its firefighters during a fire last month.
The fire ripped through the Hollow Oaks neighborhood home on July 7th, collapsing the roof. While fighting the blaze, Captain William Odum and Antwon Green were hurt. John Bolton was sent to the Augusta Burn Center. Due to workplace injuries, OSHA is now is investigating the department’s safety guidelines. A memo from North Charleston Fire Chief Greg Bulanow says OSHA is “considering two citations for the incident”. Some of the issues were previously addressed by the Charleston Fire Department after the Sofa Super Store fire.
Former Charleston Fire Department Captain and 20 year fire service veteran Ricky Koger knows about fire tactics and safety guidelines and provided us insight into the issues being investigated by OSHA. According to the memo, the first possible citation looks into the lack of a documented accountability system.
“Everyone goes in [and] their name goes in a board and their air packs for how much air is on them and the time they went in so the command staff has an idea of when these people need to come out,” Koger said, describing the typical protocol.
The memo also addresses the transfer of command between leaders. Chief Bulanow says he is committed to moving forward for a safer department and says anytime a firefighter is injured they take the matter very seriously and are trying to find a way to prevent it from happening again.
The fire department is also doing an internal investigation. Spokesman for OSHA, Jim Knight says the results of the investigation will most likely be released in about two weeks.
from Channel 4 News.
Also on SConFire…
- OSHA Considers Safety Violations – August 21, 2010
- North Charleston Fire Captain on Leave After Florida DUI Arrest – June 2, 2011
- DUI Charge Reduced For North Charleston Fire Captain – October 6, 2011
- OSHA Issues Citations for NCFD – September 16, 2010
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