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Detroit's Firehouse Roulette Claims Another Life

14 comments

A 3:30 am HOUSE FIRE ON DETROIT’S EAST SIDE WAS FATAL TO A 5-YR.-OLD BOY who was staying with his grandmother.  The boy’s mother was in the hospital giving birth at the same time, on Mother’s Day.

Initial word is that, once again, the Firehouse  Roulette caused the nearest fire station to be closed as well as another in the same district.  According to reports, Engine 41 at Rhons and Warren and Engine 26 at Crain and Kercheval were both shut down for lack of manpower.

[photopress:eng41.jpg,full,centered]
Engine 41 – closed today
www.detroitfirefighters.net image

When the nearest available engine arrived, the house was well involved.  The firefighters got inside quickly and retrieved the unconscious boy.  He was immediately transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

[photopress:detroit_a_1.jpg,full,centered]
WXYZ-TV

Update:
Word on the street is that the FF’s who worked the fire are not only angry, but also very upset over the loss.  Some of them genuinely believe that those many minutes lost because of the closed station cost the boy his life.  They were that close to saving him.

 

Posted by on May 11, 2008 • Filed under: fire
  • FF Daniel Wixon

    It is sad to see a young life cut short like this…and to save what? A couple dollars for the taxpayer.

  • FF Daniel Wixon

    It is sad to see a young life cut short like this…and to save what? A couple dollars for the taxpayer.

  • Concerned

    Just another example of City tricks. The Mayor says “I didn’t close any fire houses.” Technically, he didn’t. He closed one piece of equipment at a house that had 2 before. Engine 26 is now permanently closed, and they were housed with Ladder 14, who is still open. Then problem is, the Engine is the one that puts fires out. In most instances, the Ladder comapny can’t do much to put the fire out until an Engine arrives.

    This is the case all over the City. Citizens are being lied to.

  • Concerned

    Just another example of City tricks. The Mayor says “I didn’t close any fire houses.” Technically, he didn’t. He closed one piece of equipment at a house that had 2 before. Engine 26 is now permanently closed, and they were housed with Ladder 14, who is still open. Then problem is, the Engine is the one that puts fires out. In most instances, the Ladder comapny can’t do much to put the fire out until an Engine arrives.

    This is the case all over the City. Citizens are being lied to.

  • Jim Smith

    As far as I am concerned, it was this young boy’s time. If GOD wanted him to live, he would have. If the nearest firehouse was open and got there two minutes faster, would the boy have died? Only 1 person knows that answer. So, stop blaming the city. The whole world is doing more with less…

  • Jim Smith

    As far as I am concerned, it was this young boy’s time. If GOD wanted him to live, he would have. If the nearest firehouse was open and got there two minutes faster, would the boy have died? Only 1 person knows that answer. So, stop blaming the city. The whole world is doing more with less…

  • fire fighter that was there

    hey jim smith your a real ass xxxx for even saying something like that so if your such an ass xxxx keep your mouth shut. we the firefighters there are doing more with less every day what the xxxx do you do. are you a xxxxing city offical if you are you are a very cold hearted person and no one wants to hear what you have to say. the fireman there tried to safe the life of that boy and could not because of alot of different things at this fire. one being the reduced companies which puts the firemans lifes in jeopardy every day. if we were notified sooner if engine 41 and 26 were open that too would have helped possiblly safe this boys life. But it did not and now this boy will never grow up like you did or even get to experience life like you or me or anything. Do you even live in the city or even care about people, i guess not! SO SHUT xxxxxxx UP

  • fire fighter that was there

    hey jim smith your a real ass xxxx for even saying something like that so if your such an ass xxxx keep your mouth shut. we the firefighters there are doing more with less every day what the xxxx do you do. are you a xxxxing city offical if you are you are a very cold hearted person and no one wants to hear what you have to say. the fireman there tried to safe the life of that boy and could not because of alot of different things at this fire. one being the reduced companies which puts the firemans lifes in jeopardy every day. if we were notified sooner if engine 41 and 26 were open that too would have helped possiblly safe this boys life. But it did not and now this boy will never grow up like you did or even get to experience life like you or me or anything. Do you even live in the city or even care about people, i guess not! SO SHUT xxxxxxx UP

  • http://detroitfirefighters.net/ another fireman

    Well said, Its A-holes like you that make our jobs harder. Since you dont give a shit about anything but yourself you would rather put other lives in danger than say our city Gov. is screwed up.

  • http://detroitfirefighters.net another fireman

    Well said, Its A-holes like you that make our jobs harder. Since you dont give a shit about anything but yourself you would rather put other lives in danger than say our city Gov. is screwed up.

  • SBcityFD, Ca

    jim smith, if it was your kid’s time to go, would you feel exactly the same if it happened under the exact same circumstances??? we all think NOT!! fire fighters don’t play god with rescue attempts but only desire to give the best chance that we know how to. and if an engine company that should have been available now isn’t because of city politics/budget issues, we know by experience that the even the delay of delivery of critical services to the people that needed them is a matter of life or death. it makes no difference to us if you are rich, poor, young, old, black, white, (and all other descriptions in between) we just want to do the best for all people in the communities that we serve in.
    if the engine that was supposed to be there was out on another call, we understand that. but to reduce engine companies (close down) is not an option. it creates a domimo effect because all other engines now have to pick up the slack for the closed engine co. the engine companies that close are rarely the ones that service the politicians’ residential neighborhoods, they usually are in the areas where the calls for emergency service are much higher.

    jim smith, i pray that you or your family would never need to use ANY portion of the emergency services (police, fire, ems, hospitals, doctors, nurses) where you live. only remember to blame GOD for what happens to your family.

  • SBcityFD, Ca

    jim smith, if it was your kid’s time to go, would you feel exactly the same if it happened under the exact same circumstances??? we all think NOT!! fire fighters don’t play god with rescue attempts but only desire to give the best chance that we know how to. and if an engine company that should have been available now isn’t because of city politics/budget issues, we know by experience that the even the delay of delivery of critical services to the people that needed them is a matter of life or death. it makes no difference to us if you are rich, poor, young, old, black, white, (and all other descriptions in between) we just want to do the best for all people in the communities that we serve in.
    if the engine that was supposed to be there was out on another call, we understand that. but to reduce engine companies (close down) is not an option. it creates a domimo effect because all other engines now have to pick up the slack for the closed engine co. the engine companies that close are rarely the ones that service the politicians’ residential neighborhoods, they usually are in the areas where the calls for emergency service are much higher.

    jim smith, i pray that you or your family would never need to use ANY portion of the emergency services (police, fire, ems, hospitals, doctors, nurses) where you live. only remember to blame GOD for what happens to your family.

  • john doe

    I am astonished at what Mr. Smith said.
    Sorry, I believe no child should die. We risk everything to save a life. From what I read I have no doubt that the child would have been saved if the pumper would not have been out of service.
    You are pretty cold-hearted Mr. Smith. Did you have a real bad childhood? Perhaps you should not have children. I hope you do not.
    Our local “leaders” need to learn a few lessons:
    Its okay to tighten the belt, but not when it comes to public safety!
    FWFD is with you guys.

  • john doe

    I am astonished at what Mr. Smith said.
    Sorry, I believe no child should die. We risk everything to save a life. From what I read I have no doubt that the child would have been saved if the pumper would not have been out of service.
    You are pretty cold-hearted Mr. Smith. Did you have a real bad childhood? Perhaps you should not have children. I hope you do not.
    Our local “leaders” need to learn a few lessons:
    Its okay to tighten the belt, but not when it comes to public safety!
    FWFD is with you guys.