Criminal LawManslaughterMunicipal LiabilityNegligenceOccupational Safety & HealthPoliticsWrongful death
Family Demands Criminal Charges in Philly LODD
Following the release of an internal investigation into the death of a Philadelphia firefighter in December, the firefighter’s family is speaking out demanding that criminal charges be filed against those in the department who were responsible.
FF Joyce Craig was killed on December 9, 2014 at a basement fire where she was separated from her crew. She activated the emergency button on her radio but was not located for another 17 minutes.
The last time I recall a family called for criminal prosecution for “Command Dysfunction” was in the issues related to the Charleston, SC, Sofa Super Store Fire in 2007.
The only time I know of where an IC was convicted of “Dysfunction” was what is called the
“Thirty Mile Fire” in which a USFS fire suppression hand crew was over run by the fire and the IC was prosecuted successfully.
It’ll be interesting to see how this case unfolds over the next few months- year.
In 2014/15, you have to ask:
What happened to “Accountability” on the fireground for All personnel on scene ?
Further, what about paying attention to the SCBA PASS device sounding?
And what about as events continued to happen, wasn’t a quick debriefing of her crew members done, in or to call for a RIC Team activation?
Further, what radio channel/s were they monitoring ?
Unfortunately, as it appears “scape goating” towards her hose team member is happening, in order to shift the blame to her for her death, yet she only has two years on the job and…
In 2015, based on the UL studies, basement/ sub floor firefighting has shifted to one of a
“Flood the basement”
Tactic