911 Tapes Released in Baltimore Fire

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911 Tapes Released in Baltimore Fire

9-1-1 in the News, Legal, News | Sarah | December 15, 2009 at 9:25 am

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There’s growing outrage over rotating, budget-related closures of fire companies in Baltimore City. Much of it stems from a fire in West Baltimore that killed an elderly man.

Outraged citizens and fire union leaders are calling on the city to stop closing fire companies on a rotating basis.

“Every person who lives in Baltimore that relies on emergency services should be concerned,” said Dave Cox, firefighters’ union.

Their concern follows the death of Sam Davis, 76, whose rowhouse on West Presstman St. went up in flames Wednesday morning. His daughter was also injured in the blaze.

“The city’s prayers go out to that family. We are investigating that particular case as we speak,” said Mayor Sheila Dixon. “We want to ensure people that our fire department is responding very quickly.”

A woman trapped inside the burning home struggled to breathe and give her address to the 911 dispatcher.

The dispatcher thought she said Presbury St. — which is where crews were sent first — but the burning home was on Presstman St.

The next call was from neighbor Mia Conyer.

“It had to be about two to three minutes, and they were out here,” said Conyer.

Here’s the timeline:

At 3:02 a.m., the first 911 call came in with the address misunderstood.

At 3:06, the fire crew arrived at Presbury St.

At 3:09, the neighbor called 911.

At 3:13, the crew arrived at the actual fire.

The search and rescue company that was closest to Davis’ house was closed at the time of the fire.

Due to budget problems, five companies are closed on a rotating basis every night. And truck 16, which did respond to the Davis home, will be closed permanently next month.

“No, this was not a result of budget cuts,” said Dixon. “Based on the distance of the current stations, we are still within a great safe zone as far as responsiveness.”

Some disagree that the cuts had no impact. The firefighters’ union went door- to-door to drum up support.

In a recent interview, the fire chief told WJZ fire protection is excellent in the city, but there is a problem.

“Any time you close a company, there’s going to be an effect on response time in that neighborhood. That’s just a disadvantage of rotating closures or permanent closures. It does affect response time,” said Chief James Clack.

It would take $3.5 million to stop the closure of the company closest to the house.

Source: WJZ.com