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New warning system aims to protect firefighters

The decision comes nearly 10 years after three firefighters were almost killed while battling a fire in a building with a truss roof

By FireRescue1 Staff

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In an effort to protect firefighters at fire scenes, the city of Sacramento plans to implement a new warning system.

The city is requiring building owners to mount a sign on any of their buildings that have a truss roof.

The decision comes nearly 10 years after three firefighters were almost killed while battling a fire in a building with a truss roof. The roof collapsed, leaving three firefighters clinging to the top of a wall until they could be rescued, reported CBS Sacramento.

“That was a really close call for us,” Chris Harvey, Sacramento Fire Department spokesman said. “It’s a day that still really lives in the memories a lot in this department.”

At the time, firefighters were unaware of the type of roof they were dealing with.

“Firefighters already generally make an effort to identify those buildings in their district that have these kind of lightweight trusses but you can’t always get all of them,” Harvey said.

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