Riley reverses on fire report
Mayor changes mind after talking to firefighters at Cannon Street station
Charleston Mayor Joe Riley began his day Monday convinced he had made the right decision to delay an investigative report into the deadly Sofa Super Store fire. He held firm even in the face of growing public outrage and a threatened protest at City Hall.
It took a visit to the old Cannon Street fire station Monday evening to change his mind.
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Joe Riley Press Conference
Charleston Mayor Joe Riley has reversed his decision to withhold a highly anticipated report on the deadly June 18 Sofa Super Store fire. The document will be released May 15, he said Tuesday at a noon press conference.
Firefighters told him they were in pain. They lost nine of their own in the June 18 fire and didn't want to wait any longer for answers as to why. Riley learned that some families of the fallen felt the same way.
The mayor had wanted to hold on to the report until two federal probes of the blaze were completed and all facts were in hand. But hearing the firefighters' raw emotions sowed doubt.
As he drove back to City Hall, Riley turned to an aide and said, "I just don't know that this is the right course of action."
Riley's announcement Tuesday that he had reversed course and would release the report May 15 took many by surprise. It was an unusual about-face for a long-serving mayor known for carefully staking out positions and holding his ground.
Riley's reversal came amid a growing chorus of public criticism over his plans to delay the report's release.
He was getting hammered on talk radio and the Internet, where people accused him of betraying the community's trust. The national and local firefighters unions had accused him of a cover-up and had taken out a full-page newspaper ad rallying residents to descend on City Council's Tuesday night meeting to protest. Even members of the city-appointed panel who authored the report had stated their work was complete and ready to go.
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Riley said the union threats and other jabs didn't influence his decision to change course. It was the concerns of the firefighters and families that swayed him, he said. Shortly before he visited Cannon Street, an aide told him that a widow of one firefighter opposed his decision. He decided that waiting on the federal reports — a delay that could take months — would create an unnecessary cloud of suspicion that could breed ill will and impede efforts to improve the fire department.
"The right thing to do is to not delay the report," he said. "Not releasing it causes doubt and suspicion, and we cannot have any of that. It's important that we keep moving forward."
Scott Jainchill was among a handful of firefighters who met with Riley at the Cannon Street station, the second-oldest fire house in the city. He and other firefighters were taken aback when Riley unexpectedly walked in. He asked to hear their thoughts on the report. They didn't hold back.
The Post and Courier
Charleston Mayor Joe Riley announces that he will release a report on the Sofa Super Store fire on May 15. Riley changed his position on releasing the report after speaking with firefighters and an advocate for the firefighters families.
"We told him the families deserve to hear it. The firefighters deserve to hear it," Jainchill said. "It's been long enough. We're not going to get any closure by postponing the inevitable. The report is done. Releasing it is the right thing to do, morally and ethically."
Roger Yow, president of the local union that represents about half of the city's 250 firefighters, said Riley made the right call in the end. He said he is certain the pressure from the union played a role in Riley's decision. Even after Riley announced the report's impending release, more than two dozen firefighters heeded the union's call to attend the council meeting in a show of solidarity.
"We did put pressure on him," he said. "We are not calling it a victory. There is no winner in this. There have been no winners in this since June 18. We wanted the truth to come out and that's what this has always been about."
Fire Capt. Jamie Greene said he thinks Riley knew full well he was in for a tense public showdown Tuesday had he not relented. "The men in the department are sick and tired of Mayor Riley playing politics with nine of our friends, our brothers."
Regardless of the mayor's motivation, several family members of the fallen said they were pleased with his decision.
"It's a shame it took some pressure on him to do the right thing, but I'm glad he changed his mind," said Randy Hutchinson, a former city firefighter who lost his brother, Capt. William "Billy" Hutchinson, in the blaze.
Some council members also said Riley made the right call. Councilman Gary White said residents he spoke with overwhelmingly wanted to see the report out. "I certainly have heard loud and clear. The majority of people wanted this information released."
Former Louisiana Fire Chief Gordon Routley, head of the expert panel that authored the report, has said all along his team's review was ready for public inspection. When Riley first told him that he was considering delaying the report's release, Routley cautioned against it.
"When he called me to tell me he wanted to delay it, I encouraged him to proceed without delay," he said. "I think he is satisfied now that we have all the information."
Riley has insisted that he has not seen a copy of the report. Routley concurred but said the city's legal staff has reviewed draft portions of the document and suggested corrections of certain facts. "There were no bones of contention, nothing that really changed the direction of the report."
Routley declined to say whether the report is critical of the city but said that "people who have expressed doubt about the report's thoroughness will be surprised."
He said the mayor will be given the report on May 14, the day before the planned release.
International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold Schaitberger praised the mayor's announcement Tuesday, saying the report is badly needed by local union members and the families of the fallen "to make the necessary changes within the Charleston Fire Department and to let the healing continue for the entire community."
"Over the past two days, I have had some in-depth conversations with Mayor Riley, and I found in those very frank yet respectful discussions that he is a man who really listens to all sides of an argument, because he truly cares about the well-being of the City of Charleston and its great citizens and firefighters," Schaitberger said in a prepared statement.
Some city firefighters said they don't expect to be surprised by the report's conclusions. They simply need to see the findings, to see their own assumptions and critiques of the fire verified by experts.
"We want out there what we have known to be the truth for some time: that there can be changes made that will better this department," Firefighter Kevin Prin said.
Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556 or gsmith@postandcourier.com. Reach Ron Menchaca at 937-5724 or rmenchaca@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
every_1_goeshome (anonymous) says...
This is an important lesson for all, now we see what it will take to initiate real change in the CFD. #1.Involvement from the Families. #2. Involvement from the rest of City Council that has been intentionally left in the dark. To the Families, Our prayers are still with you but you will have to show up in droves at City Council Meetings to initiate real change. Change that will be painfully obvious after the release of the Routley report and the other reports (NIST, NIOSH etc). To City Council, why have you allowed Riley to treat you like a Mushroom? Don't ask to be in the "process"... PUBLICLY DEMAND it. You are an elected official, you took an oath of Office, you owe it to the 9 who died and the hundreds that are left and will serve in the future. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but continued involvement from the Union is futile, the leadership is weak, always has been. The leadership of the union was not respected as a Firefighter or an Officer, he's not even a current member of the department. Until someone on active duty has the cahones to step up take over the leadership, the union will be ineffective. Although they will claim a huge victory in this reversal, any astute observer knows it was the Families and the public ramblings of City Council that turned the tide. Rally around the Families, encourage them to speak out, lobby City council members to stand up for their rights. It's the only way to initiate real change.
As long as the leadership of the CFD remains,God bless the CFD, they will need it.
May 7, 2008 at 1:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
firefightersforthetruth (anonymous) says...
Truth my brothers! Let the facts and truth of June 18 stand on their own! "Let no mans ghost return to say his training let him down". With the truth brought forward we as brother firefighters and their families can begin to heal. No amount of money nor lawsuits will ever bring our 9 lost brothers back, but the truth my friends will set their spirits free.
May God bless their souls and protect their families in their absence.
May 7, 2008 at 1:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CedarPosts (anonymous) says...
Don't you think even delaying the report 24 hours is kinda odd?
Maybe be not from the Mayor's point of view as he needed the federal reports to soften the facts of the independent groups' findings.
The federal agency charged with investigation of fire fighter deaths is the CDC, they are over worked and understaffed like every part of our federal government except the IRS.
In fact the agency will take an average of 400 days to complete a report, and they are known to be very fire department friendly. They fold like lawn chairs in the face of adminstrative pressure.
The cdc report would only sugar coat events and more than likley take a pro command prespective.
My two cents, the federal probes into the events of the June 18, 2007 fire are not worth the cost of the paper they are written on, except to the Mayor.
more at:
www.cedarposts.blogspot.com
May 7, 2008 at 4:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bootlicked (anonymous) says...
Why did he waste money on the panel? He should have just let the lawyers do the investigations and report and let RT help them.
May 7, 2008 at 6:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Slappa (anonymous) says...
Another good move by Mayor Joe. His thoughtfulness is what makes him a great leader, he makes good decisions not fearing a cover up. Rusty and Joe are stand up guys in a bad situation due to a bad fire, lets not blame people , blame the fire. it's like blaming George W Bush or Gulliani for 9-11 and then doing a commission report ? More criticism , great !
May 7, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sbs920 (anonymous) says...
I guess the full page ad in yesterdays P&C about the firefighers union wanting anyone and everyone to show for the council meeting had nothing to do with his reverse decision ? ? ? Joe Riley is a COWARD and a FRAUD. A poor excuses of a politician he is. CYA again Little JOE !
How can you tell when little Joe is telling a lie?
His lips are moving. . .
May 7, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jameschucktown (anonymous) says...
It is a sad commentary that people are so cynical that some think that every action and motive is for a bad, dishonest reason. Riley made a decision that he realized should be changed. He is man enough to face that. He is secure enough in his thought process to face the stupidity of most of comments written above. Why can't you trust a man who had proven over and over again that he is honest and direct?
Thomas, I see you are enraged again--or still. Pathetic.
May 7, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
jameschucktown
I have read all of your comments under this user name and almost all of them praise little joe and bash folks with opposing view points. Are you being paid directly or indirectly to support joe? If I could find an ignore option, I would click you out. I will use some of your words "get a life" "pathetic".
May 7, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JohnS (anonymous) says...
The full page ad takes the cake. The local radical union is making good men thing the union is in charge. City firemen serve at the request of the Chief and the city. If you are deemed a trouble maker you will be looking for a new place to work.
May 7, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FunandGames (anonymous) says...
Every-1,
You don't have to like the union leadership, but you are wrong about the effectiveness of Local 61 and the IAFF, they are key players in the campaign to change the CFD. The leadership was elected by due process following the by-laws of the local, and were selected by their peers. It's an open process to any member eligible. Most importantly, it is democratic and every eligible member has a vote.
Thomas-
I'm not a lawyer but I don't think you are either. Speculation about millions in lawsuits should be prefaced with the statement "I think". You don't know anything about who is going to sue who for how much, don't pretend that you do.
Further, read up on a concept called "Soveriegn Immunity", it comes from the English law "the King can do no wrong". Use Google, talk to a real attorney. The city of Charleston may be liable for $250,000 per firefighter.
JohnS, it is illegal for any employer to discipline or otherwise affect the job of someone for belonging to any lawful organization. The IAFF is VERY good at protecting their members from illegal job action. There is a difference between being a trouble maker and working to improve the working conditions at your job. Don't come here with lame fear tactics.
May 7, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JF (anonymous) says...
Thomas yesterday you supported Joe holding the report, today you are praising him for reaching the correct decision. There is no consistancy to your arguement. Basicly for you, everything Joe says is right even if it contradicts his previous position.
May 7, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekguy2008 (anonymous) says...
Bye Bye Rusty
May 7, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
smoketr79 (anonymous) says...
I am a proud member of the IAFF from Ohio.Having met Roger Yow and other members of Charleston Local 61 at conferences in Chicago and 2 weeks ago in Charleston I know they
are doing everything within their power to improve the CFD and honor the sacrifice of their 9 lost brothers. Unfortunately their effectiveness in limited due to South Carolina being a right to work state and union members do not enjoy the right to bargain and other protections as unions in other states do. Fortunately the IAFF is providing them much needed assistance.
I've been in the fire service for 28 years and can tell you that on any fireground, even when there are no firefighter deaths or injuries, mistakes are made. The fireground is an imperfect place and even a slight miscalculation can be costly. But in Charleston's case, the deaths of my brothers were decades in the making due to the lack of progression of the CFD. I won't take the time to detail each one but will summarize by saying that this department needs a major overhaul of its tactics, training and culture.
It is going to require new leadership that is committed to firefighter safety and training.Until this report is released and the public becomes convinced of the extent of the shortcomings,the changes that must be made will be delayed and the possibility of this tragedy happening again are great.
I was in Charleston for the Firefighter Memorial Safety Seminar and had the opportunity to talk with a number of Charleston firefighters. They are a great group of people and deserve to have informed, educated and trusted leadership leading their department.
To the citizens of Charleston,please support your firefighters and Local 61 as they fight for the changes that must be made and hold your politicians accountable for their actions in regards to this incident. To my Brothers in Local 61, stay strong and stand united. May the memories of the Charleston 9 live on in the rebirth of the Charleston Fire Department.
May 7, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ralphy (anonymous) says...
just a question, but if victims of the fire sue the city of charleston and if they are compensated, won't that money be coming out of the taxpayers pocket?
May 7, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JohnS (anonymous) says...
Fun and Games: This is a right to work state and all employees are listed as at will unless they have a contract. This means both parties came leave at any time for any reason. This means your union members are serving at the will of the City.
I was just saying if some folks are so unhappy with the city they should leave and work somewhere that suits them 100 percent. This radical union taking out a full page ad was a bit over the top for public servants. The city taxpayers don't want trouble makers. This is a very good dept.
May 7, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vesta (anonymous) says...
Cold Beer: Very good! Do we owe you $158,000 also?? :)
On a serious note, which this subject is, I have always felt it is unjust to have victims and victims' families appear at parole hearings to make sure the perp stays behind bars. It is no different in this matter. The families and co-workers of the fallen nine have had to beg and plead for a report that should have been released months ago. Riley wouldn't listen to the media, wouldn't listen to the citizens. The families and ffs have to humble themselves before him by pleading for the report to be issued. Suddenly, then Joe Riley feels "compassion"??? Give me a break. The only thing Joe feels is a sinking feeling that the city will lose money in lawsuits, at Spoletto or in tourism over the tragedy that has yet to be resolved. Compassion, Mr. Mayor, should have been shown very quickly after June 18 to immediately investigate this fire; not to repeatedly state that CFD is #1 ISO and the chief is the best in the nation. Compassion would have been to immediately help 9 families with a closure in their time of grief, not to make them beg for knowledge that should have been theirs ten months ago. Routley stated that they met with NIST and NIOSH--you said they didn't. I am glad the report is being released next week, but I am very sad that it has taken this long and the families and firefighters have had to beg for its release. Compassion, Mayor Riley?? Another "c" word comes to my mind in your role in this: cruel.
May 7, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
voteobama (anonymous) says...
I fear not much will come out of this except facts that we all know already but may provide some closure to the families of the fallen 9.
May 7, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FunandGames (anonymous) says...
John,
You are confusing Right to Work with the right to belong to an organization. The city could fire someone for no reason, but if they fire someone for belonging to a union then they are in the wrong because they have violated that person's right to belong to the union. All the union would have to do is to prove that the person in the union was fired for his/her union membership. It would all boil down to who had the best lawyer. I'd put my money on the IAFF, check their record so far against the City attorneys.
You call the union radical. How is posting a respectfull letter to the city in a public newspaper radical? Radical would have been an illegal strike or sick out. That's not what they did, they simply placed an ad in the paper.
I think your allegiance to "The Man" is blinding your objectivity of the issues.
May 7, 2008 at 6:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
burton (anonymous) says...
I called this since last year. If Chief "Peter Principle" Thomas doesn't get fired when this report is released I don't know what it will take. Oh, maybe the loads of lawsuits that are coming will do it. Do the right thing and resign/retire Chief. As for King Riley, Charleston voters had their opportunity to get rid of him in the last election and they didn't so live with him! Sad!
May 9, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
STREETLAW (anonymous) says...
Can anyone tell me if the report indicated the use of a thermal imaging camera, or any explanation of why one was not used?
Recently, in a fire in a similar building, I believe it was in North Carolina, one of the first things they did was do a site survey with a thermal imaging camera. The survey indicated a hot spot above the ceiling with a great potential for collapse. As a result, firefighters were pulled back and a "surround and drown" strategy employed. The roof did in fact collapse a short while later.
Did the City of Charleston have a thermal imaging camera at the site? Was it used? Should it have been?
May 9, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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