Editor’s note: Chief Adam K. Thiel joins firefighters everywhere in morning the loss of Philadelphia Fire Capt. Goodwin and offers a reminder about planning for our own tragedies.
I know you all join me in conveying our thoughts and prayers to the family of Capt. Goodwin and the entire Philadelphia Fire Department on their third firefighter loss in less than a year.
While it will be some time before we know the complete details of this tragic incident, we know for certain that enduring three line-of-duty deaths in such a short period of time will be a real struggle for our brothers and sisters in Philadelphia.
While Philadelphia’s firefighters and paramedics deal with the aftermath of these tragic events, with as much support as the rest of the fire and emergency services can muster, it’s a good time for the rest of us to consider how we might address such an incident in our own departments.
Nobody likes to think about the unthinkable, but from my own experiences I know that tragedy can strike at any time, and in any place. Not planning for a LODD (or serious injury) won’t affect whether or not it happens, and it’s important to understand what needs to be done, when, and by whom.
Stay safe.
