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Goldfeder: One LESS Firefighter Standing
CHIEF BILLY GOLDFEDER
www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com
With the operating conditions in Detroit, so many wondered what would eventually happen related to DFD, as far as their Firefighters being injured, or worse, killed in the line of duty. And when I heard about the comments so emotionally SCREAMED by a Detroit Fire Sgt today. "What a complete waste," ...he died.. "For what? For what? Some dump of a house?" The words hit hard...as they should.
I mean, really, in so many respects, few really care about trying to really save Detroit. Read the news. Look at the politics. Look at that City. The only ones who really seem to consistently and genuinely give a damn are the Detroit Firefighters. Why would I say that? Show me where anyone else really cares-and can prove it. It ain't there. It's like the DFD Firefighters are the "last ones standing" in that City.
Sometimes when I see them operating I think that their actions are far more than Firefighters hitting a fire. I mean, for those who have lived there most or all of their lives, it's like they are trying to do whatever they can to stop "any more" of their city from being destroyed. Just trying to save...as it continues to go away. And then today happened.
There is now one less Detroit Firefighter standing. And he is the 100th LODD in the United States of America in 2008.
This mornings horrible loss was put into a very poignant and sobering perspective by a DFD Firefighter in the below article. "What a complete waste," screamed Sgt. Jimmy Montgomery, who served with Harris at the Squad 3/Engine 23 Firehouse located near the crumbing carcass of the old Packard automobile plant. "For what? For what? Some dump of a house?"
As you now know that FF Walter Harris was horribly lost this morning while operating in that vacant "dump of a house". By all accounts, FF Walter Harris Sr was the kind of FF whose warm, fun and stabilizing personality would be a welcome addition to any firehouse...anywhere. While few people outside of Detroit really understand or have seen (or even care) what terrible conditions exist in Detroit, the only thing really left, in a City whose government has failed miserably, is the Detroit Firefighters.
When the role call of the Detroit Fire Department is called tonight, one less GOOD MAN will so very sadly fail to answer the call.
For the rest of us and eventually the now grieving Firefighters of the DFD, maybe we can think about FF Walter Harris....for example, when we size up, we can THINK about FF Harris (we posted several pictures of his big smiling face on our home page)...and operate at our next vacant structural fire in a manner as if FF Harris might have been given a second chance. Of course he won't get one but fortunately we can, we do and can genuinely honor his life, his heroic life and his memory, in how we operate at future fires. Think of Firefighter Walter Harris Sr.
Don't know Walter Harris? I didn't but I wish I did. But from today's and past accounts, just think of the nicest, most fun, smiling-ist and most stabilizing Firefighter in your firehouse. You know the type. The one you can always count on. One of the real good ones. You know'm.
Rest in Peace Firefighter Walter Harris Sr...and our condolences to all affected, but especially the DFD and the family of FF Harris.
Here is the article: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081115/METRO/81...
Also See: More Coverage on Statter911.com
www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com
With the operating conditions in Detroit, so many wondered what would eventually happen related to DFD, as far as their Firefighters being injured, or worse, killed in the line of duty. And when I heard about the comments so emotionally SCREAMED by a Detroit Fire Sgt today. "What a complete waste," ...he died.. "For what? For what? Some dump of a house?" The words hit hard...as they should.
I mean, really, in so many respects, few really care about trying to really save Detroit. Read the news. Look at the politics. Look at that City. The only ones who really seem to consistently and genuinely give a damn are the Detroit Firefighters. Why would I say that? Show me where anyone else really cares-and can prove it. It ain't there. It's like the DFD Firefighters are the "last ones standing" in that City.
Sometimes when I see them operating I think that their actions are far more than Firefighters hitting a fire. I mean, for those who have lived there most or all of their lives, it's like they are trying to do whatever they can to stop "any more" of their city from being destroyed. Just trying to save...as it continues to go away. And then today happened.
There is now one less Detroit Firefighter standing. And he is the 100th LODD in the United States of America in 2008.
This mornings horrible loss was put into a very poignant and sobering perspective by a DFD Firefighter in the below article. "What a complete waste," screamed Sgt. Jimmy Montgomery, who served with Harris at the Squad 3/Engine 23 Firehouse located near the crumbing carcass of the old Packard automobile plant. "For what? For what? Some dump of a house?"
As you now know that FF Walter Harris was horribly lost this morning while operating in that vacant "dump of a house". By all accounts, FF Walter Harris Sr was the kind of FF whose warm, fun and stabilizing personality would be a welcome addition to any firehouse...anywhere. While few people outside of Detroit really understand or have seen (or even care) what terrible conditions exist in Detroit, the only thing really left, in a City whose government has failed miserably, is the Detroit Firefighters.
When the role call of the Detroit Fire Department is called tonight, one less GOOD MAN will so very sadly fail to answer the call.
For the rest of us and eventually the now grieving Firefighters of the DFD, maybe we can think about FF Walter Harris....for example, when we size up, we can THINK about FF Harris (we posted several pictures of his big smiling face on our home page)...and operate at our next vacant structural fire in a manner as if FF Harris might have been given a second chance. Of course he won't get one but fortunately we can, we do and can genuinely honor his life, his heroic life and his memory, in how we operate at future fires. Think of Firefighter Walter Harris Sr.
Don't know Walter Harris? I didn't but I wish I did. But from today's and past accounts, just think of the nicest, most fun, smiling-ist and most stabilizing Firefighter in your firehouse. You know the type. The one you can always count on. One of the real good ones. You know'm.
Rest in Peace Firefighter Walter Harris Sr...and our condolences to all affected, but especially the DFD and the family of FF Harris.
Here is the article: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081115/METRO/81...
Also See: More Coverage on Statter911.com
Add a Comment
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Comment by Joel C Kelley on November 17, 2008 at 3:52pm
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With my deepest condolences included, Don't we all agree that an abandoned house is not worth interior ops. The risk is just too great, as DFD found out. The video clearly showed the windos of the house to be boarded up, so it seems like first due company should have been clear that this was abandoned. No reason to in.........
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Comment by Matthew L Braswell on November 17, 2008 at 1:17pm
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Sorry, for your loss. There is a shortage of great men like these. Our prayers are with the family, friends, and brother firefighters of Mr. Harris.
Summertown Ga.
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Comment by Rev. Ken on November 16, 2008 at 10:30pm
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To all of Walt's brother's and sisters in the Detroit Fire Department, Engine House 23, his family, and his Church home, may God grant all of you peace and understanding in this horrible tragedy. To all of you in fire service, may God watch over each and protect every one of you, bringing you all home safely after the fight. God Bless and keep you all in His hand.
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Comment by PA Firefighter on November 16, 2008 at 7:47pm
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May God bless Walter. My heart goes out to his family and the DFD. I agree with lutan we must stop killing ourselves for worthless structures. It is going to be hard to accomplish, since we all want to be aggressive. That's why most of us got into this business. It has to start at the top.
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Comment by Ron Graner on November 16, 2008 at 7:13pm
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His lose is a tragedy.
Today we all pray for him and his family.
Tomorrow the leaders of the fire service, both labor and management, nationwide must reflect on his death and examine the tactics, strategy, policies and leader training that has brought us to 100 deaths by November in 2008 of those willing to serve and protect their communities and this nation to assure public safety.
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Comment by Jim Brunelle Jr. on November 16, 2008 at 5:41pm
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Condolances to all the DFD as well as the family members. Rest in peace brother.
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Comment by Terry Smith on November 16, 2008 at 5:27pm
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I would have to agree with most of the other members here. This appears to be another firefighter's loss of life that never, never should have happened. Its like when you see 10 firefighters on the roof of a fully engulfed structure fire - with flames already shooting up through the rafters - attempting to ventilate it! Where's the Safety Officer, or somebody with experience and in command? These kind of things are occuring way to often. I thought the system had been fixed? But, I guess mistakes still happen. Costly ones!
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Comment by dennis on November 16, 2008 at 12:51pm
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May all of his family ,his brother and sister firefighters know that we are all saying a pray forthem today , Lets make a differance and make a change in how we operate at this type of fire. Yours in brotherhood
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Comment by morris washburn on November 16, 2008 at 11:53am
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God Bless the families of all in FF Harris and the DFD. BE SAFE MY Brothers and sisters everywhere. We love you all here in McEwen,TN.
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Comment by Karl Campbell on November 16, 2008 at 11:37am
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God Bless him and my heart goes out to both families in this tragic accident.
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