Mayor Should Remove Chief Of Department

Anger, tears, and frustration. All of these emotions are present in Charleston firefighters and family members now that the NIOSH draft report is available. From the refusal to accept assistance to the selection of the size of hose lines the Chief Of Department stands in the center of outcry.

Fire Chief Rusty Thomas was leading a fire department with many deficiencies, most of which could cost a chief his or her job. Yet, city leaders continued to back the chief over the last 10 months certain they had the man to do the job. Stories surfaced about equipment, training, personnel issues, race, gender and lack of continuity. Still the Chief remained.

Council meetings have become more tense over the past three months as firefighters and family members expressed displeasure with the handling of the June 18 fire. Tuesday night the fire chief sat and listened as people spoke out against the culture of the department. Out on the sidewalk several people refused to shake his hand. It all made for a very emotional experience.

Now, the NIOSH draft gives a glimpse into a fire that was at best devoid of organized activity. The impending Routley Report will show severe deficiencies. What more can a community expect to take? When will the anger shift from the chief to the Mayor?

It has been said the Chief has been on the job far too long. Nine men, a broken but recovering department, and families put through hell signal it is time to help the department fully recover.

The Mayor must order the chief to leave.

Comments

[Randy Hutchinson]

and, I second, that we, the families that know the whole truth, the CFD Company members that know the truth, the CFD Batt. Chief's that know the truth, the City Council Members who now will see the truth that has been hidden from them, the citizens of Charleston that give a damn, all DEMAND that Mayor Riley, order the Fire Chief, Russell B. Thomas, Jr., to hit the road by way of immediate retirement or be fired today for his lack of Proper, Positive Leadership and Command of the CFD. The families and the men of the department need the Mayor's proper action NOW!!!!

Chief Thomas no longer has the "Honor" to lead the CFD.

[north chief]

A man with integrity would have stood up and said, yes,I made mistakes and I will now correct them and taken positive efforts to do that. I have been watching this situation waiting for those positive efforts and so far have only seen window dressing. Chief, admit you were not and still are not up to the task and able to change and resign.

[Tony]

This is the sad truth that we all knew was coming. Over the last ten months many people have tried to put a positive light on THE MAN....this report comfirms what has been there all along. Time to go for both Rusty and Joe.

For the guys at CFD....all of your brother/sister firefighters around the lowcountry share your pain and frustration.

To the families....we can never truely share your loss but we stand ready to help as always.

[Paul]

As a result of the facts presented in the NIOSH draft report, the Mayor can no longer defend Rusty Thomas (in good conscience).I dare say that the Routley Report will be as damaging if not more so. Therefore,if I were Chief Thomas, I would resign post haste ! If he continues as Chief of the CFD the clamor for him to go will only increase and the moral of the CFD brothers will continue to plummet.

[Trae Wright]

Well Little Joe, how can you say you have a great fire chief now? How can you say that he did the right thing? City Council...you better listen to this...and not look around and ignore whats being said! Rusty, You need to leave! Don't ever extend your hand to me again! Robbie...next time take a picture...it will last longer! Did you think staring at me was going to do anything? You are a disgrace to the uniform! And the PIO....whatever!

Mayor Riley, I just want to know how you can stand behind a Chief, that has no training, no idea how to evolve as both a man and as a leader, and is responsible for the death of nine great men because he refused to change! I know he is your godson, and that my stand for a great deal.....but your political record has now been tarnished....I hope you never recover from this! You are a liar, your chief is a retarded liar, and you have a command staff that has no clue! And as for your council....that has to be the biggest disgrace I have ever seen! Tuesday night, instead of paying attention to what was being said, some of them walked around the room, others looked around, and you could tell by the look on their faces...they didn't care! I hope you, and your little chief and his puppet Robbie, got a good look around that chamber! That is only a small gathering! Imagine what we could have done with a little more time!

Do the right thing, leave your position Rusty, visit with your family before you start a long legal process! RESIGN TODAY!!! And take Garvin, Robbie, Shriver with you!

[Capts. Daughter]

From my dad I agree the fire chief is where everything starts and stops,but there are others who made mistakes also.When eng.10 backed down on the side of the building and put a line on the fire without any thought eng.11 should have laid a supply line period.The batt. chief on that side should have called for additional pumpers .The asst. chief on scene should have called for more pumpers and set them up as they arrived.It is my opinon that when st andrews said they were pulling out of the fire the asst. chief should have done the same thing with our men.What Im saying is there were a lot of mistakes made that night but some were made before Rusty got there.Im not taking up for him but blame should go to the command staff on scene first that night also.The decisions made first on any call will decide if everythings gonna be good are everythings gone to hell.Jay you really helped the CFD a great deal and i thank you for it.GOD BLESS ALL.

[firemedic5100]

Just from what I have read so far, not only does the Chief need to go, but so should the Mayor and City Council as well. Yes, the Chief should run the department, but it is the responsibility of the governing body to ensure the department is following the standards set forth by NFPA, OSHA, CDC, etc. And lets not forget a Presidential Order requiring the adoption and utilization of NIMS.

[audit]

how can we demand these bouffons be gone from the mayor to the chief? Mr. Hutchison can we get a group to call for immediate changes from city of charleston residents. I am sick to my stomach this morning after throughly reading the report, the chief does not have the interigty to lead the department any longer. how can we set this up and get a group going to call for termination? any contact info for you?

[ChiefMO]

Everyone wants to point to law and standards. How long is it going to take you guys to realize that Charleston is not hampered by laws, standards and 'National best practices?'

[firedog]

RT needs to go.but the mayor going to stand with him so he need to go too.RT needs to go to jail where he belong because he kill 9 of my best friends.

[Lisa]

The mayor's defense of this fire chief only rubs salt into the deep wounds of these families and the members of the CFD and concerned citizens. What a cold, heartless, calloused bastard he is - to continue to defend his precious chief!

Riley, you need to go. You need to tuck your tail between your legs and just go, because at some point, whatever goods the chief has on you will come out, much to your embarrassment, I'm sure.

At some point Riley will probably let Thomas go...but only to save his own ass first. I don't see Riley losing it all for anyone in the end, not even the Chief.

Riley, your legacy has already been tainted by the way you have handled this from the beginning. Why don't you finally grow a set and do the right thing....start at the top by firing Chief and work your way down the line.

God Bless the 9 and their families. I know the last week has been tough for you all. I hope that at some point you will be able to have some peace in your lives and remember only the fond memories of your loved ones and be able to do it without all of the turmoil brought on by this horrible situation.

[firedog]

well capts daughter RT is the man.whatever happens he the man.so you need to quit take up for him and let it know that he the one.but all the rest of them need to take the blame too.they need to go to the top and work down from that.

[uk-fb-buff]

Jay;

1st. Rusty as I've written needs to leave the CFD.

2nd. Capt's daughter, there are a lot of:

"What if's" that have and will continue to be asked. You mention several, here are a few more, from what I've read about or question.

A. $6.00 for training FF's in FY 2006.

How much was asked for and where did the remaining balance go?

B. The closest hydrant. Why wasn't it replaced or the initial dispatch "Doubled"
to make up for the loss of the hydrant and need for the long hose lays.

C. SAFD, wasn't made part of the First Alarm dispatch with the sole purpose of making a 4-inch supply hose lay, but rather "self-dispatched".

and on and on.

RT is the responsible one and he should be leaving the CFD ASAP.