Today marks the a somber anniversary. It has been one year since nine firefighters were killed in the Charleston Sofa Super Store fire.
It was the largest loss of firefighters since the 9/11 attacks. Fire Department across the country are using the anniversary to reflect on the tragedy and try to learn from it so that it never happens again.
Here is a email that Asst. Chief Schaeffer sent out to the department about the anniversary.
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I am asking everyone to take a moment today for the families of those who died in the line of duty and for the Charleston Fire Department. It was exactly 1 year ago today that we all suffered one of the worst Line-of-Duty Death tragedies in our nation's history.
These nine men, and those that have fallen before them, all define the essence of bravery and sacrifice. Nothing will ever be able to eliminate the grief and sadness that their families and co-workers feel on a daily basis and I can only hope that they will be able to seek comfort in knowing that they served their citizens proudly and will always be remembered for their courage, honor and selfless dedication.
Even as this email is distributed, their Department is undergoing a continuous recovery—one that we will all learn from. I would encourage you to read the Post-Incident review Team’s Report in depth and discuss it. Learning from this tragedy is the only way that we can guarantee that these nine men did not give their lives in vain. If we as the SFD learn from it and genuinely make changes based on their experience, then there is no better way to honor the horrific deaths they experienced.
Our deepest sympathy and thoughts go out to the families of the Charleston 9, the members of the Charleston Fire Department and all affected by the loss.
Be Safe.
Brian Schaeffer,
Assistant Fire Chief
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