By Bryn Mickle
Flint Journal
Copyright 2007 Flint Journal
All Rights Reserved
FLINT, Mich. — More city firefighters have been hurt battling fires in vacant buildings than occupied ones, according to a study by a Flint Fire Department captain.
Capt. Andy Graves believes the city needs to change its protocol on fires in vacant houses before more firefighters are hurt.
“We’re firefighters,” said Graves. “We see fire, and we put it out.”
But Graves said too many firefighters have been injured trying to save houses that just end up getting bulldozed.
During a 12-month period from April 1, 2006, to April 1, 2007, Flint firefighters suffered 21 injuries fighting fires in vacant buildings. Thirteen injuries occurred in fires in occupied buildings during the same period.
More burns, falls and eye injuries happened at vacant-structure fires, said Graves.
Unlike occupied buildings, vacants pose a greater risk because of structural damage and, in some cases, prior fire damage.
Flint firefighters last month met with new dangers when they found that arsonists apparently had removed stairways and cut holes in the floors of vacant houses.
Unless firefighters can save a life or property, Graves said, they are better off pouring on water from a distance.
With almost 300 vacant houses now scheduled to be demolished in the city, Graves said, Flint needs to follow the more cautious approaches taken by fire departments in Phoenix and New York City.
So far, Graves said, the city has been receptive to his suggestions and said discussions are under way to change the policies of fires in vacant structures.
“It’s a hard change, but we have to break out of the mold,” he said.
Flint Firefighters Union President Ray Barton agrees.
With cuts in the firefighter ranks over the years, Barton said, injuries hit the department harder now.
“We’ve still been fighting fires the same way,” said Barton, adding that union officials plan to meet with Fire Chief Richard Dicks on the issue later this month.
Dicks could not be reached for comment.
One change already has been made.
Since Tuesday, city firefighters now are given a list of the vacant structures on Flint’s emergency demolition list.
“We have to approach these buildings for what they are — a hazard to the community and the firefighters,” said Graves.
Empty danger
A Flint fire captain says fires in vacant houses pose major risks to firefighters. An analysis of city data between April 1, 2006, and April 1, 2007 found:
179 of 443 structure fires were vacant buildings.
21 of 34 firefighter injuries occurred at fires in vacant houses.
The average injury at a vacant and unsecured building meant the city 160 lost firefighter hours at a cost of $2,576.