Panel begins inquiry into Ebenezer Baptist fire
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A seven-member board of inquiry began work yesterday to determine what went wrong and why during a fire at a Hill District church that killed two Pittsburgh firefighters.
Fire Chief Peter Micheli announced at a news conference that the panel has been assigned to collect and analyze data on the strategic and tactical operations of all units and command officers during the March 13 fire at Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Battalion Chief Charles Brace and Master Firefighter Richard Stefanakis were killed when the church's bell tower collapsed.
The panel will make recommendations about any procedural changes it believes are necessary. Micheli said he expected the panel to report back in 30 to 60 days.
Deputy Fire Chief John Gourley will head the inquiry board. Gourley participated on a panel that reviewed operations following a fire in Brushton that killed three firefighters in 1995.
Also on the panel are Battalion Chief Richard Rosato, Capt. Charles Lenz, Lt. Varnell Lewis, firefighter Ralph Jedd, Capt. John Gardell and Kim Morrison, safety coordinator for the city.
Micheli said board members were selected by Gourley and approved by him, the city and the firefighters union.
"Gourley is very knowledgeable," said Micheli. "He has been a deputy a long time. He has the experience and he went through this before."
Micheli said the board will work full time on the review and will not have any restrictions.
"If they want to interview any personnel over and above the statements we gave them, they are welcome to do it," he said. "They can do what they want. They have total leeway to look at everything. They can bring in any experts and any organizations they so choose.
"If our last board of inquiry is any example, they will be working with the investigative units that come in from outside the city. This board of inquiry has been charged with coming up with recommendations -- no fault finding -- what went wrong, why it went wrong, or are our [standard operating procedures] in need of updating and was equipment at fault."
Micheli said the approximately 60 or so firefighters who fought the fire have been interviewed. He said he believes firefighters followed proper procedures.
The last Fire Bureau board of inquiry was appointed in 1995 by then-Chief Charlie Dickinson following a fatal five-alarm fire on Valentine's Day at a house at 8365 Bricelyn St., Brushton. Killed were Capt. Thomas A. Brooks, 42, and firefighters Patricia A. Conroy, 43, and Marc Kolenda, 27. It was ruled arson.
The inquiry board issued its preliminary report nine days after the fire and the final report was released in May 1995.
The inquiry determined the deaths resulted from "a multitude of factors, some of which are beyond control."
The board concluded that the firefighters died when they were trapped in the structure because of a confluence of command breakdowns, equipment malfunctions, unactivated warning systems, a lack of personnel accountability, confusion and coincidence. A National Fire Protection Association report released in January 1996 essentially had the same findings and agreed that some of the mishaps at Bricelyn Street could be avoided.
Among the board's recommendations that were implemented was formation of a "Go Team," a company of firefighters not assigned to fight the fire but fully suited up and instantly ready to go if a firefighting company gets into trouble.
Regarding personnel accountability, the bureau continued use of a system in which firefighters post their identification cards on a board at fire scenes so commanders know who is on the site. Moreover, the bureau began to require 10 people to monitor safety for every fire. Before that, only two firefighters did so at a one-alarm fire.
In addressing breakdowns in command at the fire scene, the bureau brought in national experts to give battalion chiefs and higher-ranking officers a two-day course in incident command tactics and strategies. A one-day course was held for all firefighters.
Those procedures were in effect at the Ebenezer fire.
After the collapse, Assistant Chief Arthur George rushed from the command center and saw that dozens of firefighters were injured, among them Deputy Chief David Manfredo, who had been in command at the scene.
George immediately assumed command, ordering a fifth alarm and the blowing of firetruck air horns and the beeping of radios that is the emergency signal alerting firefighters to leave their positions and return to their companies so the safety unit can account for everyone.
Within minutes, the safety unit accounted for everyone on the scene except Brace and Stefanakis. Search and rescue by the Go Team and others immediately took place.
The new board of inquiry's other objectives are to:
• Analyze command and control procedures and compliance with standard operating procedures by company officers and chief officers who responded to the fire.
• Evaluate safety procedures and practices of responding personnel regarding the use of protective clothing, procedures and personal safety equipment.
• Analyze and evaluate data regarding construction features of the building.
Memorial planned for fallen firemen
First Published March 23, 2004 12:00 am
