Deputy chief had to make fateful decision as fire raged

Locutus

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Jun 18, 2007
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The moment came several minutes into Wednesday’s raging fire, after the radio transmissions from two trapped Boston firefighters — Lieutenant Edward J. Walsh and Firefighter Michael R. Kennedy — went silent.

Boston firefighters had pulled Kennedy’s severely injured body from the basement of 298 Beacon St. But they could not immediately get to Walsh.

As fiery embers rained and a fierce wind blew, Deputy Chief Joe Finn had to decide whether to risk the men’s lives to save a fallen colleague, or to stand down.


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Incident commander in deadly Boston blaze was faced with an agonizing decision - Metro - The Boston Globe
 

Goober

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Jan 23, 2009
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That's his entire raison d'etre.

He should work on that.
Firefighters like Police, Soldiers are close knit group.


Boston Fire Fighters

Funerals scheduled for fallen Boston firefighters - News Local Massachusetts - Boston.com

Boston Fire Department | City of Boston
1467 Firefighters in Boston. Very tight-knit and if you have been one for a tad of time, everyone knows everyone.


Uniformed Personnel


1,467

Chief of Department


1

Chief of Operations


2

Deputy Fire Chiefs


14

District Fire Chiefs


59

Fire Captains


84

Fire Lieutenants


225

Fire Fighters


1083
Fire Alarm Personnel


68
Civilian Personnel


76
Total FD Personnel


1611
 

Goober

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Jan 23, 2009
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A tough call to make, I doubt he will ever get over it completely.

Yes. Send more family into a hopeless situation and in all probability lose them along with the family they were sent in to rescue.
As I mentioned Firefighters, Police, Military, always tight. You depend on that other person(s) with your life.
Not one word could I find that condemned the decision.