R.B. Thomas, Jr, the former Charleston chief at the center of a report concluding Charleston was led poorly and had antiquated tactics appeared on the news singing a song. Local media had a laugh over it but firefighters, family members of the Charleston 9 and fire chiefs were upset over the appearance.
Back on June 18, 2007, Thomas was in command of the sofa super store fire in which nine brave Charleston firefighters died. An expert panel brought in after public pressure found the department lacking in as many categories as they could find. Forced out, Thomas has kept a fairly low profile up until now.
Emotions run high among family members and firefighters when Thomas is mentioned. From some advocating future legal action to others who shake their head in disgust the reactions are always in the extreme. Thomas has his share of supporters including a few in the media who are well known to be supportive. Remember who they are and adjust your viewing habits if you desire.
Firefighters must focus on the future. In order to correct a legacy of errors firefighters will have to continue to improve. From training to responses Charleston firefighters are far ahead of what they once were. That is a huge moral victory to go from poor leadership to excelling in areas of concern over a short period of time. Further, while Thomas may have to answer for the past he is no longer a Charleston firefighter. His opinions, thoughts and ideas are no more valid than a person scalping tickets to a basketball game.
I believe what upsets me most, and I know it is time to move froward, Is his complete lack regret and remorse! I know the past is the past, but until the day Rusty Thomas excepts that he made major mistake, not just at the fire, but after, before and during his whole time in the fire service!! I say that latter,! Lightly!! He still does not have a clue, and most likely never will, BUT!! One can only hope that there is justice in the world today! I know for a fact that he still faces a JUDGE much more powerful that any mortal. No amount of lie or untruth will go undedected at that judgement! Please understand The past is still the future!! And the future but a dream!!
MAY YOU ALL STAY SAFE!
Posted by: Ricky Koger | December 10, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Ricky, If he ever truely understands his mistakes, he'll eat a bullet. No man could walk around knowing that he was responsible for the mistake that WAS the CFD!
Posted by: ChiefMO | December 10, 2008 at 03:31 PM
Damn!
Posted by: WOW | December 10, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Plan on putting several through Hell until they get it. Sooner, rather than later, the addicting medication will wear thin and the edge will become sharp and then the edge will start to cut deep. Painful Reality will then set in.
The more Hell provided,fewer options will become available. One has to do what one has to do. Then, there's only one way out of their living Hell. Mo, you said it.
Posted by: Randy Hutchinson | December 10, 2008 at 06:44 PM
The ability of a man not to step up to the plate...take responsibility for his actions shows only one thing..the immaturity and the ignorance of a man so caught up in his on Familial ego trip.
Having said that..the Department is moving forward and stepping up to a plate that the Former Godhead can never have balls enough to do.
Forgive my blue word but it fits.
Posted by: FireSister | December 10, 2008 at 11:36 PM
The ability of a man not to step up to the plate...take responsibility for his actions shows only one thing..the immaturity and the ignorance of a man so caught up in his on Familial ego trip.
Having said that..the Department is moving forward and stepping up to a plate that the Former Godhead can never have balls enough to do.
Forgive my blue word but it fits.
Posted by: FireSister | December 10, 2008 at 11:36 PM
Rt doesnt care about anything thing..his daddy put him in car#1..his daddy made sure his other (blacksheep of the family)son got in a Batt chief position..RT's job was to protect his younger brother.we all know that ..after all when a batt chief comes to a station and slams the captain in the back with a pool cue and nothing is done, it shows really that they had to much power..any way RT is retired now and has a nice retirement check comming in from the state and more than likely left with a nice 1% check also and the little black sheep hasa nice batt chiefs retirement and a nice 1% check also..there daddy did what he set out to do..promote his 2 sons to the top positions, see they made there time and retired ..disgraced or not disgraced , there old man doesnt give a hell either ..how many times have i see the old man blame the drivers for things that went bad on the pumpers, when in all reality it was poor mechanical problems from the shop..like i said RT-TT-RT'sr neither care one bit ..i have seen them "railroad" people in the dept with threats and run some off and made some not want to even get a promotion what i dont understand is how neither one of them have been charged for what has happened.
Posted by: retired old fart | December 11, 2008 at 10:43 AM