Chicago Firefighter, Friend Will Be Remembered for Helping Others

[DriVer]

From RV D@ily Report
By Greg Gerber

WILMINGTON, Ill. – On his days off, Chicago Firefighter Edward Stringer would head for the Lakepoint Club campground in Wilmington, says the Chicago Sun-Times.

Stringer was killed yesterday when the roof of an abandoned building collapsed during a fire.

After a day of fielding calls from friends about his death, Campground manager Monica Murdaugh told the Chicago Sun-Times he was "a good guy." Often he'd help other campers.

To read the complete report in the Chicago Sun-Times, click here.

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When most people see disaster develop, they run in away. In the case of FF Edward Stringer and FF Corey Ankum running toward and into a disaster was a routine part of the job.

From a recent release from the International (IAFF)
"Two Chicago Fire Fighters Die in Building Collapse December 23, 2010 -- Two fire fighters from Chicago Local 2 died in the daybreak hours of Wednesday morning, and 17 other fire fighters were injured, when a wall in an abandoned commercial building on Chicago's south side collapsed. The tragedy occurred on the 100th anniversary of a major fire at Chicago's Union Stockyards that claimed the lives of 21 Chicago fire fighters. Fire Fighter Edward Stringer, 47, and Fire Fighter/EMT Corey Ankum, 34, were crushed by falling debris as they searched the burning building for possible victims.

[Lt46]

RIP Brothers

[Big Bear Local]

Originally Posted by Lt46

RIP Brothers

Roger that.
Eastfork Volunteer Fire Department

[trav]

Rest in peace brothers.

NBFD L841

[Hammer Down]

Prayers for their families and department.




RDVFD 503

[frankdamp]

I can't understand why the firefighters were inside a delelict, unoccupied building. Surely a defensive fight from outside would have been enough.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by frankdamp

I can't understand why the firefighters were inside a delelict, unoccupied building. Surely a defensive fight from outside would have been enough.

I might be able to help with your lack of understanding why a firefighter would be inside an abandoned building.
The task of firefighters is to extinguish fires, as quickly, and safely as practical while also minimizing damage to property. Every effort is expended to insure the safety of both firefighters and civilians. Most structure fires cannot be extinguished from the outside because said structures are designed and built water-resistant/proof. Yes a structure fire can be extinguished from the outside, after the roof and walls are breached. This means the structure must sustain major damage before the fire company can put water directly on the flames.If the structure owner can prove the fire department was derelict in protecting the owners property from continuing damage (fire) they may sue the fire department and likely collect damages incurred. I can continue, but you should have an idea ofthe basics of fire-fighting theory by now.
Those brave firefighters deserve respect and gratitude for offering their lives to protect others property.
I left the fire service as a licensed master firefighter (IN) in 1986 after 19 years on a volunteer fire department. I was quite lucky, only hospitalized twice, these men will never return to their families. Thank God for those who offer their lives in service of others.

[rjf7g]

I taught the final course (Physics for Firefighters) in a fire science degree program through the local community college at the main firehouse in Charlottesville, VA. Every Monday night for two semesters, I would go to the firehouse and learn so much about living and serving. When the alarm would go off, 1/3 of my class would leave. One night, they came back and it was clear something was wrong. As always, we debriefed from the event but this was a different debrief - a child had died in the fire. I have never seen such brotherhood and raw emotion. The tears, the hugs, the pats on the back, the attempts to simultaneously reason and console were overwhelming and impacted me forever.

It's easy to ask "didn't they know it was going to collapse?" or "what were they doing in there when they could have been outside?" but these were folks who were driven to make sure no one died - homeless people who have found shelter in abandoned building or kids who played there instead of in the streets. It's what they do without thinking twice - risk their lives so that others have a chance at survival.

Thank you to all of you who serve or have served as police officers, firefighters, and EMTs.

[jodann]

I can't understand why the firefighters were inside a delelict, unoccupied building. Surely a defensive fight from outside would have been enough.[/QUOTE]

I couldn't agree more. As a retired NYC firefighter (28yrs) & after responding to fires in the same unoccupied buildings time & time again - setting fires was a 'sport' engaged in by neighborhood residents, meant to challenge firefighters - there comes a time when the Chief in charge has to make the decision, not an easy one, but based on the structural integrity of the building in question, to order an exterior attack in order to safeguard the lives of the firefighters under his command.

In my 28 years I've seen just too many firefighter deaths & disabling injuries & attended way too many funerals, many of them for naught.

Jodann

[DriVer]

I couldn't agree more. As a retired NYC firefighter (28yrs) & after responding to fires in the same unoccupied buildings time & time again - setting fires was a 'sport' engaged in by neighborhood residents, meant to challenge firefighters - there comes a time when the Chief in charge has to make the decision, not an easy one, but based on the structural integrity of the building in question, to order an exterior attack in order to safeguard the lives of the firefighters under his command.

In my 28 years I've seen just too many firefighter deaths & disabling injuries & attended way too many funerals, many of them for naught.

It is all to easy to second guess our officers in hindsight and take a position of surround and drown but that's not what we do. We hold sacred the duty to protect life and property and our honor is vindicated every day when a firefighter can extract a victim from a fire scene and save a life. We can't do this unless we pursue an aggressive interior attack and we can't pick and choose our battles if someone has reported that the structure maybe occupied. It is tragic if we suffer the loss of firefighter or of a severe injury but there were no guarantees when signed on to do this job.

L786 - Retired Truckie - 28 Years.

[bucks2]

The loss is felt thruout the country and world when a brother loses the battle against our common enemy.

31 years 9 months of Fire Dept. service, 29 days of retirement so far,
Captain, Ladder 4
Local 31

[FDchief]

I can't help but chime in. In our Department we have a motto we live (hopefully) by;

"We will take some risk to save property,
We will take great risk to save lives,
We will take no risk to save lives and property already lost."

In my opinion, a derelict building is already lost.

Rest in peace Brothers

[frankdamp]

After reading all the inputs from current and former firefighters, I unreservedly apologise for my earlier post. I had no idea that the FD personnel regard even the most derelict and dangerous building as a possible haven for people who might need to be rescued.

It's a crying shame that this, the most prosperous nation in the world, can't take better care of the most desparate among us.

[jodann]

To Driver,
You seem to have taken offense to my previous post & I most surely meant none. In regard to 'surround & drown', that is most definitely NOT the policy of most fire depts. & NOT the policy of FDNY. Witness, the 343 (yes, three hundred & forty three) firefighters that perished in the twin towers on 9/11.

What I was referring to are the actions taken at abandoned, derelict bldgs. that were being 'torched' to the point that they were unsafe to enter.
We (firemen) were the entertainment committee, & this according to some of the residents - we were the 'dopes' in the big red trucks, wearing the 'bumblebee' coats & carrying the 'wrecking sticks' who put on a show for the 'hood' over & over again & if we did not leave a man with the truck or a policeman to guard the rig, the folks would steal anything they could off of the trucks. We also had the pleasure of entering booby trapped bldgs that were meant to cause injury to firefighters (think, a piece of carpeting placed over a previously cut hole in the floor or steps that were meant to collapse under the weight of a man, etc., etc.), having debris thrown at us from adjoining rooftops, & yes, even being shot at.

While I have no first-hand info regarding the circumstances surrounding the tragic Chicago fire that cost 2 firefighters their lives I still stand behind my previous statements regarding an exterior attack when warranted. To do otherwise is pure folly. jodann

PS: despite all the challenges involved I LOVED my job & would do it all over again if afforded the opportunity. Fraternally yours, jodann