New London, CT Firefighter/EMT Al Mayo here - I send my Condolences to the families of Boston FD. I plan to be there for the unfortunate upcoming days that our brothers will be laid to rest. Listening to this Dispatch and Mayday was frustrating and really hurts to hear engine #33 screaming for help & water. So sad!
Concur MonsterRailroad - I just wanted to run over and get water going out of the pumper. I do not jump to conclusions as I know better. My heart goes to the BFD and the families....
josh martin Last night at work I sat with my Engine 11 & A100 company guys and listened to this audio again until I could not take anymore. It is just frustrating to hear them come over the radio every FEW MINUTES and asking for water/help. They managed to hang in there while all the other chatter was going on without SCREAMING for help. I can imagine myself in the same position but I do not know if I would be as calm as he was asking for water & help while I am burning up. Poor men.
Lost my family member in 911. Listened to hours to just hear his voice one more time. I myself was a cop for 33 years. Firemen ARE cops heroes. May St Florian protect all who serve and God place them in His loving hand. Peace to the family and all my fellow public servants.
My scanner went off here in IN and I turned it on just before they started screaming for an ambulance (25 min in when they request car 1). I haven't heard anything so horrible since 9/11. My heart hurts. I knew I had to send my husband to work at the firehouse last night and I did it bawling my eyes out. I almost threw up. It's a spouses worst nightmare. RIP brothers. May peace find the hearts of all those who knew you.
They were begging for help from the moment they went into the basement. No one went to save them. They went in to save others. No one went in to save them. I can't wrap my head around it. Completely heartbroken. Rest in Peace.
I do not jump to conclusions - there was a back draft after E33 company went in to the walk in basement - something went very bad quickly. Two things I noticed during the dispatch and being down the street that day in my office - 1) winds were the highest I have seen in a long time that day 2) BFD Command were taken back by the speed of the fire spreading. To hit 9 alarms (highest in BFD) it was one massive shit storm moving quick. It is so painful listening to our brothers calling a mayday - the engine horns going off in the back... Anyone that has been on the job long enough has been in a close call - I am sure like me, you had that same panic listening to it. The last radio transmission you heard from the LT - he knew... It had to be really bad in there if they were moving away from their egress in the back. There were two units down there....Gods Speed to our brothers
It's not true that "no one went to get them"...what is true is tyhat no one could reach them. For the very same reasons E33 was trapped...walls of fire and/or collapses. The trapped members couldn't get water because their hoses were pinched shut by collapse or burned through by fire. Not for lack of trying, didn't you hear E33's engineer ran his pump dry trying to get water to his buddies....? The water went in, just never made it anywhere useful.
They were in there less than 4 minutes before they started asking for water. Five minutes before mayday. It only takes around 3 to 4 minutes for a room to flash. It's very painful to listen to, but the way it sounds they did everything they could to get to them.
Gives you a big lump in your throat listening to this, so very sad. Regardless of what part of the world Firefighters are in, they just don't know what they will face each time they climb onto the truck and respond out of the station. God Bless our two Brothers in Boston.
I can't ever even try to imagine what the operator of 33 is feeling. The emotions and pain we don't know or could fathom that the firefighters of boston and their comrades nation wide are dealing with. These guys are a special breed and I myself are tremendously grateful for the love and sacrifice these guys give each day to absolute complete strangers who put the call for help out. Thank you all and to the families of LT. Walsh and FF Kennedy thank you for giving us these two wonderful human beings for the lives they've touched and helped will be cherished forever and to the comrades of these two good men I wish you all to get through this tremendously difficult time and know that so many people carry all off you in their hearts and thoughts. I wish you all keep safe.
I AM AN IAFF MEMBER. FIRST OF ALL, MY PRAYERS TO MY FALLEN BROTHERS. SECOND, THIS DISPATCHER SHOULD RECEIVE AN AWARD FOR HER CALM AND QUICK RESPONSE ON RADIO TRAFFIC DURING THIS TRAGIC EVENT. VOLUNTEER OR PAID, MAY GOD BLESS US ALL.
As a paramedic who works closely with our firefighters here, this chills me to the bone...hearing this dispatch audio gives me chills...I have no words :( we are often called for fire standbys and we also lost a fellow medic in a house fire (off duty at a friend's house) last year....so chilling to hear this. My heart is saddened for Boston.
I send my prayers out to the family of the Fallen firefighters. I am a firefighter in Philadelphia, PA and we all were watching and following the story. I just want to say we are all in this together and it can happen to anyone in this profession. We send our prayers once again from Philadelphia, God bless you all in Boston...
My dear Boston brothers, you have my prayers and grief for your lost brothers. I fought fire for 19 years and lost 12 brothers in one fire my first year so I understand your pain. You guys and your lost brothers are my heroes. I really appreciate the fact that your dispatchers stay with a fire and are able to clarify garbled radio traffic. I have no doubt they have saved lives. Again, you have my condolences' and prayers from Washington State.
I see alot of you saying never enter a building with a dry hose line, please explain to me how you enter a 4 story building with a charged 2 and a half, you can't, these brothers done what they was trained to do and just got dealt a bad hand, we was not there, we are listening to a tape, to my brothers of Boston I am on hand and knee praying for you and your families
I WAS A FF FOR 21 YRS AND JUST TO HEAR THOSE POOR MEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES BRINGS ME TO TEARS. I KNOW THOSE TWO FF ARE IN HEAVEN PLEASE PRAY FOR THEM AND THERE FAMILIES...
I can hear the pain in the voice saying "No one goes back in the building!" After being told of unaccounted FF. RIP to the two fallen. Not being a FF, I could never comprehend the strength it takes to do that job.
So confusing I think at 20:58 when someone responded to "Engine 33 charge your big line" everyone assumed E33 was fine. The low air pressure warning was going off at 15:43 which would lead you to believe E33 was dead if still remaining inside the structure. It's still a wow moment when you can listen to the tape knowing the ending, it was a different and probably chaotic picture then. Still leads to me believe the radio systems need to be reworked or upgraded to decrease static you get when talking to someone. I assume if the comms we're much clearer things may have happened in a different manor, but the world will never know.
To all members of the Boston Fire Department... My sincerest condolences for the loss of your brothers. May they rest in peace. Thank you for doing what you do!
the comments i am seeing is bothering me.. how many of you are or were firefighters. i am a disabled firefighter.. the dispatcher did a fantasic job. she did what she was trained to do.. so back off on the neg. comments
She did Her job.. there was so much going on .. I cant Imagine how she felt knowing 33 needed water and couldnt get it to them.. Been a FF for many yrs and I Never want to be on Her end of it..
Chris Andreasen I agree. I am a dispatcher and hate when things like this happen. Luckily it hasn't happened yet but there's always that fear. RIP brothers
Lisa Cramer Ive gone over this many times.. i think there was a mistake somewhere.. 33 is calling for help.. to charge there line.. the prob is 33 in the basement has 22's line.. no one realizes this.22s not at there truck.. there on foot in the back of the building.. listen to this over and over .. you will see what im saying.. god i pray for them all.. .
They did take their line off. There is a video clip of them as they made entry. Once they were ready, they dawned their gear, and entered when the video ended. Hose wasn't charged yet, since they were only facing smoke and needed to pull the hose to the fire.
Hearing Ed Walsh reporting in is sad. I just met him last month, and got to see 15 & 33 handling an eight-alarmer in a similar building, same area. What an absolute shock. All good thoughts to Ed's wife and three young children and the family of the other firefighter killed (apologies, I don't know his name at this time).
To everyone commenting on this. We can all sit here and be momday morning quarterbacks and assume all these different things but unless u were on scene, or u are a member of Boston Fire. keep your thoughts to yourself. They just lost two men. RIP brothers. You will not be forgotten.
I send my Condolences to the families of Boston FD. Listening to this Dispatch and Mayday was frustrating and really hurts to hear engine #33 screaming for help & water. Brings tears..
Proud Firefighter wife and mother to 3 children. I can't even imagine what the families are going through this is our worst nightmare seeing that red car pull in the drive.
Several possible scenarios ... 1. Very chaotic scene 2. Hose may have burned through 3. Wind whipped fire( blowtorch effect) 3. Disorientation 4. Backdraft that caused more chaos .5 other units and command busy to name a few . God bless them for " doing the job... ".
R.I.P brothers, makes me wonder if or when the day a call will be my last. Hopefully not, but if it must be then so be it. Still not leaving the fire service, I knew what I signed for like these men here. You never know when/if your are going to your last call. Sleep well brothers, you and your families will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Where's the rest of this audio? Cambrdge just showed up , there's a report of hearing a pass device just inside the door, C1 hedged after saying all out and said they could go in the front and back doors and then it ends...wtf?
Damn, this is hard to listen to.. knowing these firefighters were doing their best to perform their job and knowing 2 lost their lives through no fault of their own..May God bless the families of these lost firefighters, Michael Kennedy and Edward Walsh, Jr.
This is sad to listen to. Expecially how our department just went over a Mayday drill monday. Can't jump to conclusions sounded like a lot came into play. Comunications, possible hose burnt the winds were strong. This was just a tragic accident that we have to mourn and learn from. This is why firefighters train all the time to do and sometimes when shit hits the fan as our department likes to call it you just have to do your best. They got them out. Unfortunately it was too late. Rest in peace brothers.
I have been been following this story and cant beleve how quick it spread... I have to say to the FF that try and stay safe, hope your fellow FF are going to be ok... Prayers to you guys
Tears my heart out to listen to this audio. Makes a guy realize what he's doing every time the alarm tones. Rest In Eternal Peace Brothers. Captain George Scofield Shawangunk Valley Fire Dept
This was agonizing to listen to. My heart breaks thinking about their last few minutes....these guys made the ultimate sacrifice doing what they were born to do. Godspeed brothers. Prayers to their families and the members of BFD.
rusty shakleford has made a terrible and unnecessary comment with regard to this video. As a firefighter from another part of the world, I can say that his silly thoughts and comments reflect about 0.01% of the viewers that watch this video and he's obviously not intellectually balanced or mature. My suggestion is to pay no attention to a person like that. He's what we call here in Australia "a waste of space". Personally, I don't care where a fireman is from. If he's been wounded or killed in the line of duty, he (or she) is another member of the family that we must mourn for. So sorry to the families and to the members of Boston Fire. RIP guys.
rusty turned off his "replies" lol he's a coward....as far as rusty goes ,haters are gunna' hate and and ppl like him who envy what they hate leave comments like he did
Our thoughts remain with the dedicated professionals of Boston FD who are committed to serving the community by protecting life & property. May the families of those that gave the ultimate sacrifice find comfort. We are proud to have two of our members representing the LAFD at the Boston Fire Department funerals this week. Rest in Peace Brothers. Respectfully, Erik Scott Firefighter/Paramedic Spokesman Public Service Officer (C-Platoon) Los Angeles Fire Department
Their line burned through and engine 7s backup like burned though too. That's why they kept calling for water. They didn't know of the heavy fire above them.
Leo Fitzgibbon Leo , this is what I was told by a few , some who were there, their stories are consistent, And said that 33 had no Hydrant , the Pump Operator didn't know how to run the Pump, the Detail Man across the floor was F.F. Kennedy and was supposed to be the Hydrant Man ( you notice when the Girl from Fire Alarm kept saying " Engine 33's Hydrant , You have an open Mike" , that was the Fire activating the remote Mike/Speaker, you can hear the Fire and Pass device , She got no answer because it was Kennedy's Radio and He was Dead) But when they realized they had a real Fire , Kennedy wanted to be the Pipe-Man ( he didn't have experience being an Engine Man, but He was aggressive and strong ) The House had 5 stories and was 24 feet wide and just under 70 feet long ( excluding the rear Addition ) 4 of them , First Floor to the Top had two Apartments and each Floor had identical layouts one front , one back ,, but the Cellar where the Fire originated had three Apartments and a different & Maze like layout and had the one Story Wooden addition in the Rear. 33 arrived first and there was moderate Smoke coming out the first floor front entry, they knew it was a serious Fire but you couldn't tell how bad , they said they took the small line and went into the first floor Entry , the Cellar Stair entry was under the Front Steps and nothing was showing there, then they located the inside Stairway and went down , Nobody is sure how far they got , but believe they went a long way to locate the Fire and by then the Fire was so advanced and likely Flashed over, and it really showed outside they said the Smoke was unbelievable , really heavy and pushing with a lot of energy and seemed to coincide with repeated yelling to charge the line but never got an acknowledgement ( from the Audio it seems like it was over 20 minutes before the first acknowledgement was heard , and not once did Fire Alarm ask for an acknowledgement? ( its odd you hear long into the Fire another F.A. Operator tells 33 Pump Operator to get off the May-Day frequency ! ) It was a ferocious Fire but there was no real danger of Fire Spread or need to worry about collapse, When the deputy arrived there was no transfer of Command and he started whacking more Alarms and giving irrelevant & incoherent orders neglecting the rescue effort, ( they had about 5 Alarms Too many ) The District Chief in Car 4 did a good Job from the beginning and concentrated on Rescuing them , Also Deputy Fleming showed up even though it wasn't His half of the City , but He stayed to help coordinate a Rescue party and said He was Injured too, ( they didn't say what either Rescue Co. was doing but a handful of Firefighters & Co. Officers made a Suicidal attempt to save them and took an awful beating, They think when the Flashover happened they separated and took refuge in two separate Apartments and waited , until the Fire got them , and believe their S.C.B.A.'s ran out before the Fire got to them. ( also the Lowery Hydrants were taken off the Engines as were the 3 types of Cellar Pipes the Ladder Co.'s carried and disappeared? so there were no Hydrants for the arriving Engine Co.'s in the rear). They say deputy Finn gave the Order that everyone get out , or nobody go in , I guess that's not true , it was Hasson who overruled all, and Car 4 gave the original Order, but it was used for propaganda because of the back door planned appointment of deputy Finn as Commissioner , and Chief Too! if that's true what they say , that's pretty cynical , but that Fire shows a need for a separate Chief of Department! but you cant discern what's what really , these are not Official Audio recordings , but from peoples Scanners .
R.I.P. Fallen brothers. May the surviving brothers and sisters of the Entire Boston Fire Department receive the proper post critical incident support...
R.I.P. To the Brothers lost...condolences to the Boston Fire Dept from the Brothers and Sisters of the Stroudsburg Fire Dept. Stroudsburg,PA...this was heart wrenching to listen to...
I don't even know where to start or what to say.This was horrible to say the least. Im just a volunteer and have been for 17 years now and although i didn't know any of them just listening to this made me tear up.My prayers go out to those lost and to there families and friends. God Speed!!!!
The dispatcher did a good job the only thing I did not hear was command saying in touch with the mayday. They took everybody off channel 2 and put them on channel 3 which is fine but I think they should of stayed in communication with the mayday. Praying for the family and Boston Fire Dept.
so i feel as if this building had void spaces like a ballon frame construction, that the FFs in the basement encountered a flash over on the floor above them as the fire traveled through void space in the walls and it collapsed some building materials onto the hose that would of given them water. cities need to regulate old ballon frame construction, this is too common of an occurance....I could be wrong for sure, but this is what I think....i will follow this investigation's results
The high winds seem to be the major cause. Started as a basement fire that ran the house. I'm not familiar with the construction in Boston so I can't say whether or no it was balloon framing. Either way the older buildings (balloon framing or not) tend to have many void spaces.
Sounds like they are stepping on each other and the first call for help is not heard by command or dispatch. I pray for them and their loved one's. Such courageous men.
After listening to this many time .. Sadly I think there going to find.. 33 had 22's line in the basement.. thats why they never got water.. 33 did not have 33s line.. they never got water because they didnt have there line.. @ 5:36 car 4 sends 22 to put a line into the basement.. 22 sends it thru.. @ 6:53 /33 yells charge the line.. Its not 33s line @ 7:21 Dispatch calls for Engine 33 to charge line 7:50 Mayda..My God..
Our thoughts and prayers for our lost brothers and their families My hat is off to the dispatcher, comsumate professional under tremendous pressure 7 Company Halifax NS Canada Local 268
+Andrew Silva Andrew, it wasn't a very large fire, but it was concentrated in a virtual oven, a 4 story brick apartment building. 9 alarms is basically emptying every station you have in the city with out of town Fire Dept's coming into cover. I think what people can't relate to with this audio is how fierce the winds were that day in Boston. 40+ mph winds were whipping off the Charles River which created the perfect storm.
Alarms means the box alarm. Every company is different. But what they mean is command asked for an upgrade 9 times. Each alarm brings so many engines, ladders, and so on.
I am sorry my brothers and sisters, I wish I could have been there to help, it breaks me heart every time but I know your love is as great as mine because you found the love in everything you do! Boston Strong Forever!
All things considered the women on the tape did a good job. They all did the best they could. 13 fireman injured on this fire trying to save their trapped brothers. May they R.I.P. We keep our heads up and we learn from our fallen brothers and sisters as we move on.
As a retired FF, am I the only one who feels this recording should not have aired. I would not my wife and kids hear my last words as I was trying to get out of a fatal situation.
Chris, the reason I listened to it was to try to understand what happened and to honor the memories of Lt Walsh and FF Kennedy. I was crying while I listened. While I hope their families never hear this, unless they want to, I think it has teaching value. I have donated to the credit union fund for Walsh and Kennedy's families, in part because of the depth of pain I felt listening to their last words. I also watched their funerals on TV. May they rest in eternal peace, in the arms of the Lord.
Fireman here, GOD BLESS THEM and Boston has some of the best firemen out there, but I gotta ask...Why were they in the basement without a charged line!!??? R.I.P. and prayers.
Sounded like engine 33 crew was trappd in the basement but i.c. had no communication woth them. Do we just not hear any action being taken when the mayday was called? Or was there no initial action? A sad day for Boston FD regardless! Rip brothers and thoughts and prayers for their families.
God Bless the Dispatcher ("Fire Alarm") handling this box 1579 and Maydays. May the Lord bless her that she not hear this call for the rest of her life...
+David Fernandez Yeah they were repeatedly trying to charge the line. Problem was 33's attack hose had burned thru, so they weren't getting water the nozzle. You can hear Lt. Walsh say his lines must have burned thru.
Rip Ed Walsh and Michael Kennedy, my heart goes out to the families and friends too. I had to listen to this and it's heartbreaking and gave me chills but just like everyone here commenting we all wanted to hear it. One question tho from where is this audio from? A app or other place? Once again my condolences.
I thought the same thing.. Sound as if they were keying the mic but coulnt talk.... @ 13:00 I was thinking thats it for them.Could hear it in his voice... God rest them..
It sounded like his last transmission was "charge the line in the basement, I'm not ready to die" at 15:53. Then it sounded like he ran out of air like you said. This fucking sucks.
rambosperm I think 33 had 22s line and thats why they never got water..@5:36 car 4 tells 22 to put i line in the basement and it is for 33.. 33 doesnt know that and they keep trying 33s line charged when in fact its 22 that needs to charge for 33..
rambosperm he doesn't say that he says "need a line in the basement, right away a big line" he is asking for a 2 1/2 inch line to the basement. I work on Boston fire with these Gents may god rest there souls they will greatly missed
I think its way too early to have this online and even to comment on it. Out of respect to the families I think. God bless you Boston Fire and may our brothers rest in peace..
New London, CT Firefighter/EMT Al Mayo here - I send my Condolences to the families of Boston FD. I plan to be there for the unfortunate upcoming days that our brothers will be laid to rest. Listening to this Dispatch and Mayday was frustrating and really hurts to hear engine #33 screaming for help & water. So sad!
Amen Brother
Concur MonsterRailroad - I just wanted to run over and get water going out of the pumper. I do not jump to conclusions as I know better. My heart goes to the BFD and the families....
I agree. I started my fire career with center Groton fd. In Groton ct. Have not heard a maybe that quick ever in my 10 years as a fire fighter
josh martin Last night at work I sat with my Engine 11 & A100 company guys and listened to this audio again until I could not take anymore. It is just frustrating to hear them come over the radio every FEW MINUTES and asking for water/help. They managed to hang in there while all the other chatter was going on without SCREAMING for help. I can imagine myself in the same position but I do not know if I would be as calm as he was asking for water & help while I am burning up. Poor men.
MonsterRaialroad, I was born in New London. In Florida now,
Lost my family member in 911. Listened to hours to just hear his voice one more time. I myself was a cop for 33 years. Firemen ARE cops heroes. May St Florian protect all who serve and God place them in His loving hand. Peace to the family and all my fellow public servants.
hearing 33 yelling for water is crushing. rest in peace brothers
My scanner went off here in IN and I turned it on just before they started screaming for an ambulance (25 min in when they request car 1). I haven't heard anything so horrible since 9/11. My heart hurts. I knew I had to send my husband to work at the firehouse last night and I did it bawling my eyes out. I almost threw up. It's a spouses worst nightmare. RIP brothers. May peace find the hearts of all those who knew you.
They were begging for help from the moment they went into the basement. No one went to save them. They went in to save others. No one went in to save them. I can't wrap my head around it. Completely heartbroken. Rest in Peace.
They were on their way, just not in enough time.
I do not jump to conclusions - there was a back draft after E33 company went in to the walk in basement - something went very bad quickly. Two things I noticed during the dispatch and being down the street that day in my office - 1) winds were the highest I have seen in a long time that day 2) BFD Command were taken back by the speed of the fire spreading. To hit 9 alarms (highest in BFD) it was one massive shit storm moving quick. It is so painful listening to our brothers calling a mayday - the engine horns going off in the back... Anyone that has been on the job long enough has been in a close call - I am sure like me, you had that same panic listening to it. The last radio transmission you heard from the LT - he knew... It had to be really bad in there if they were moving away from their egress in the back. There were two units down there....Gods Speed to our brothers
Brian Mulvey They were in there for 25 minutes asking for water the whole time. Then a may day. Very frustrating listening to that
It's not true that "no one went to get them"...what is true is tyhat no one could reach them. For the very same reasons E33 was trapped...walls of fire and/or collapses. The trapped members couldn't get water because their hoses were pinched shut by collapse or burned through by fire. Not for lack of trying, didn't you hear E33's engineer ran his pump dry trying to get water to his buddies....? The water went in, just never made it anywhere useful.
They were in there less than 4 minutes before they started asking for water. Five minutes before mayday. It only takes around 3 to 4 minutes for a room to flash. It's very painful to listen to, but the way it sounds they did everything they could to get to them.
Gives you a big lump in your throat listening to this, so very sad. Regardless of what part of the world Firefighters are in, they just don't know what they will face each time they climb onto the truck and respond out of the station. God Bless our two Brothers in Boston.
I can't ever even try to imagine what the operator of 33 is feeling. The emotions and pain we don't know or could fathom that the firefighters of boston and their comrades nation wide are dealing with. These guys are a special breed and I myself are tremendously grateful for the love and sacrifice these guys give each day to absolute complete strangers who put the call for help out. Thank you all and to the families of LT. Walsh and FF Kennedy thank you for giving us these two wonderful human beings for the lives they've touched and helped will be cherished forever and to the comrades of these two good men I wish you all to get through this tremendously difficult time and know that so many people carry all off you in their hearts and thoughts. I wish you all keep safe.
I AM AN IAFF MEMBER. FIRST OF ALL, MY PRAYERS TO MY FALLEN BROTHERS. SECOND, THIS DISPATCHER SHOULD RECEIVE AN AWARD FOR HER CALM AND QUICK RESPONSE ON RADIO TRAFFIC DURING THIS TRAGIC EVENT. VOLUNTEER OR PAID, MAY GOD BLESS US ALL.
No matter how many MAYDAY calls you here in the various clips of fireground audio, it never ceases to give you chills.
As a paramedic who works closely with our firefighters here, this chills me to the bone...hearing this dispatch audio gives me chills...I have no words :( we are often called for fire standbys and we also lost a fellow medic in a house fire (off duty at a friend's house) last year....so chilling to hear this. My heart is saddened for Boston.
I send my prayers out to the family of the Fallen firefighters. I am a firefighter in Philadelphia, PA and we all were watching and following the story. I just want to say we are all in this together and it can happen to anyone in this profession. We send our prayers once again from Philadelphia, God bless you all in Boston...
My dear Boston brothers, you have my prayers and grief for your lost brothers. I fought fire for 19 years and lost 12 brothers in one fire my first year so I understand your pain. You guys and your lost brothers are my heroes. I really appreciate the fact that your dispatchers stay with a fire and are able to clarify garbled radio traffic. I have no doubt they have saved lives. Again, you have my condolences' and prayers from Washington State.
Scary to hear Engine 33's Vibralert dying as he is screaming for a line and water in the basement at 15:55
I think the hose got burnt, engine states he is running out of water but they keep calling for water, so sad.
I see alot of you saying never enter a building with a dry hose line, please explain to me how you enter a 4 story building with a charged 2 and a half, you can't, these brothers done what they was trained to do and just got dealt a bad hand, we was not there, we are listening to a tape, to my brothers of Boston I am on hand and knee praying for you and your families
good job to dispatcher..angels on the air!
It's possible 33's line got burnt through from the heavy fire and the water never made it to the nozzle
I WAS A FF FOR 21 YRS AND JUST TO HEAR THOSE POOR MEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES BRINGS ME TO TEARS. I KNOW THOSE TWO FF ARE IN HEAVEN PLEASE PRAY FOR THEM AND THERE FAMILIES...
Listening to this gave me the chills. As a former EMT/FF 11 years, my thoughts go out to everyone involved. RIP
Breaks my heart to listen to this. As a firefighter's daughter, it terrifies me everyday to know what could happen. Rest in peace fallen brothers.
Thank your dad for us, Loca.
I can hear the pain in the voice saying "No one goes back in the building!" After being told of unaccounted FF. RIP to the two fallen. Not being a FF, I could never comprehend the strength it takes to do that job.
So confusing I think at 20:58 when someone responded to "Engine 33 charge your big line" everyone assumed E33 was fine. The low air pressure warning was going off at 15:43 which would lead you to believe E33 was dead if still remaining inside the structure. It's still a wow moment when you can listen to the tape knowing the ending, it was a different and probably chaotic picture then. Still leads to me believe the radio systems need to be reworked or upgraded to decrease static you get when talking to someone. I assume if the comms we're much clearer things may have happened in a different manor, but the world will never know.
To all members of the Boston Fire Department... My sincerest condolences for the loss of your brothers. May they rest in peace. Thank you for doing what you do!
the comments i am seeing is bothering me.. how many of you are or were firefighters. i am a disabled firefighter.. the dispatcher did a fantasic job. she did what she was trained to do.. so back off on the neg. comments
She did Her job.. there was so much going on .. I cant Imagine how she felt knowing 33 needed water and couldnt get it to them.. Been a FF for many yrs and I Never want to be on Her end of it..
Chris Andreasen I agree. I am a dispatcher and hate when things like this happen. Luckily it hasn't happened yet but there's always that fear. RIP brothers
Lisa Cramer Ive gone over this many times.. i think there was a mistake somewhere.. 33 is calling for help.. to charge there line.. the prob is 33 in the basement has 22's line.. no one realizes this.22s not at there truck.. there on foot in the back of the building.. listen to this over and over .. you will see what im saying.. god i pray for them all..
.
Chris Andreasen
you're wrong 33 was first due engine they would take a line off there own truck not 22
They did take their line off. There is a video clip of them as they made entry. Once they were ready, they dawned their gear, and entered when the video ended. Hose wasn't charged yet, since they were only facing smoke and needed to pull the hose to the fire.
Bless that lady dispatcher.
The dispatcher is great! This is so gripping and it it's home for me. R.I.P. God Bless and keep our men and women safe. Boston Strong!!
Hearing Ed Walsh reporting in is sad. I just met him last month, and got to see 15 & 33 handling an eight-alarmer in a similar building, same area. What an absolute shock. All good thoughts to Ed's wife and three young children and the family of the other firefighter killed (apologies, I don't know his name at this time).
OMG...@15:43 was that a low air pressure bell ringing? Sure sounds like it! Was that the fireman in distress at that time?
May God bless the families and fellow firefighters/dispatchers of the Boston Fire Department. This is such a sad moment.
To everyone commenting on this. We can all sit here and be momday morning quarterbacks and assume all these different things but unless u were on scene, or u are a member of Boston Fire. keep your thoughts to yourself. They just lost two men. RIP brothers. You will not be forgotten.
engine 33 answers at 10:24 and there were multiple PASS devices dispatching over the frequency. So sorry Brothers.
I send my Condolences to the families of Boston FD. Listening to this Dispatch and Mayday was frustrating and really hurts to hear engine #33 screaming for help & water. Brings tears..
My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.
That was horrible. Rest in Peace. Prayers to families.
16 minutes into call and engine 33 was still asking for water...what happened to their water?
Difficult to listen too knowing what happened, was really surprised by how quick the mayday happened.
Proud Firefighter wife and mother to 3 children. I can't even imagine what the families are going through this is our worst nightmare seeing that red car pull in the drive.
Part 2 of this audio is now available. Includes rescue of members.
Part 2. Boston Fire Department Beacon St Dispatch Audio and Maydays LODD 3/26/2014
Several possible scenarios ... 1. Very chaotic scene 2. Hose may have burned through 3. Wind whipped fire( blowtorch effect) 3. Disorientation 4. Backdraft that caused more chaos .5 other units and command busy to name a few . God bless them for " doing the job... ".
RIP Brothers... You will not be forgotten.
"What we do in life, echoes in eternity"
R.I.P brothers, makes me wonder if or when the day a call will be my last. Hopefully not, but if it must be then so be it. Still not leaving the fire service, I knew what I signed for like these men here. You never know when/if your are going to your last call. Sleep well brothers, you and your families will be in our thoughts and prayers.
R.I.P these men are true heroes and you will truly be missed. My thoughts and prayers to their families.
RIP! I could only take a few minutes of hearing these brave souls scream for their lives. Too soon for this with all due respect to the families.
They were scared. Holy fuck. Just. Wow.
Where's the rest of this audio? Cambrdge just showed up , there's a report of hearing a pass device just inside the door, C1 hedged after saying all out and said they could go in the front and back doors and then it ends...wtf?
I have no words... it could happen to any of us... sick to my stomach listening to it...
Damn, this is hard to listen to.. knowing these firefighters were doing their best to perform their job and knowing 2 lost their lives through no fault of their own..May God bless the families of these lost firefighters, Michael Kennedy and Edward Walsh, Jr.
Rest in Peace Brothers. My thoughts and prayers for you and your loved ones.
This is sad to listen to. Expecially how our department just went over a Mayday drill monday. Can't jump to conclusions sounded like a lot came into play. Comunications, possible hose burnt the winds were strong. This was just a tragic accident that we have to mourn and learn from. This is why firefighters train all the time to do and sometimes when shit hits the fan as our department likes to call it you just have to do your best. They got them out. Unfortunately it was too late. Rest in peace brothers.
RIP from all the fellow firefighters of Long Island, NY
I have been been following this story and cant beleve how quick it spread... I have to say to the FF that try and stay safe, hope your fellow FF are going to be ok... Prayers to you guys
Mayday happened within 7 minutes of the initial tones going out. Sounded like communication kept stepping on the calls for charging the lines. Ugggg.
I just read that 2 of your FF didnt make it.. Really sorry to hear that.. Craziness....
Chris308Martin sounded more like Eng. 33 kept calling for the line to be charged
+Chris308Martin wouldn't have mattered. Fire burned through the line. They did have the line charged.
tough fire conditions, but I think the arriving engines should've gone to deck guns due to the intense winds that day
Tears my heart out to listen to this audio. Makes a guy realize what he's doing every time the alarm tones. Rest In Eternal Peace Brothers. Captain George Scofield
Shawangunk Valley Fire Dept
14:37 is heartbreaking knowing how it all turned out. The word hero isn't big enough for all of those men.
This was agonizing to listen to. My heart breaks thinking about their last few minutes....these guys made the ultimate sacrifice doing what they were born to do. Godspeed brothers. Prayers to their families and the members of BFD.
rusty shakleford has made a terrible and unnecessary comment with regard to this video. As a firefighter from another part of the world, I can say that his silly thoughts and comments reflect about 0.01% of the viewers that watch this video and he's obviously not intellectually balanced or mature. My suggestion is to pay no attention to a person like that. He's what we call here in Australia "a waste of space". Personally, I don't care where a fireman is from. If he's been wounded or killed in the line of duty, he (or she) is another member of the family that we must mourn for. So sorry to the families and to the members of Boston Fire. RIP guys.
Yeah, U.S. Taxpayers are not responsable for the welfare of people in foreign countries.
rusty turned off his "replies" lol he's a coward....as far as rusty goes ,haters are gunna' hate and and ppl like him who envy what they hate leave comments like he did
Agreed!!
Our thoughts remain with the dedicated professionals of Boston FD who are committed to serving the community by protecting life & property. May the families of those that gave the ultimate sacrifice find comfort. We are proud to have two of our members representing the LAFD at the Boston Fire Department funerals this week. Rest in Peace Brothers.
Respectfully,
Erik Scott
Firefighter/Paramedic Spokesman
Public Service Officer (C-Platoon)
Los Angeles Fire Department
My heart breaks as I listen to this. Rest in peace heroes
This is so sad to listen to thank you for sharing.
Had engine 33's line burnt ? They kept asking for water sounds like their line was compromised? Anyone ?
No one knows. Yet. It'll get investigated.
not sure we'll ever know..i'm retired bfd after 28 years...their line should have been charged in the first five minutes of incident
Their line burned through and engine 7s backup like burned though too. That's why they kept calling for water. They didn't know of the heavy fire above them.
Leo Fitzgibbon Leo , this is what I was told by a few , some who were there, their stories are consistent, And said that 33 had no Hydrant , the Pump Operator didn't know how to run the Pump, the Detail Man across the floor was F.F. Kennedy and was supposed to be the Hydrant Man ( you notice when the Girl from Fire Alarm kept saying " Engine 33's Hydrant , You have an open Mike" , that was the Fire activating the remote Mike/Speaker, you can hear the Fire and Pass device , She got no answer because it was Kennedy's Radio and He was Dead) But when they realized they had a real Fire , Kennedy wanted to be the Pipe-Man ( he didn't have experience being an Engine Man, but He was aggressive and strong )
The House had 5 stories and was 24 feet wide and just under 70 feet long ( excluding the rear Addition ) 4 of them , First Floor to the Top had two Apartments and each Floor had identical layouts one front , one back ,, but the Cellar where the Fire originated had three Apartments and a different & Maze like layout and had the one Story Wooden addition in the Rear.
33 arrived first and there was moderate Smoke coming out the first floor front entry, they knew it was a serious Fire but you couldn't tell how bad , they said they took the small line and went into the first floor Entry , the Cellar Stair entry was under the Front Steps and nothing was showing there, then they located the inside Stairway and went down ,
Nobody is sure how far they got , but believe they went a long way to locate the Fire and by then the Fire was so advanced and likely Flashed over, and it really showed outside they said the Smoke was unbelievable , really heavy and pushing with a lot of energy and seemed to coincide with repeated yelling to charge the line but never got an acknowledgement ( from the Audio it seems like it was over 20 minutes before the first acknowledgement was heard , and not once did Fire Alarm ask for an acknowledgement?
( its odd you hear long into the Fire another F.A. Operator tells 33 Pump Operator to get off the May-Day frequency ! )
It was a ferocious Fire but there was no real danger of Fire Spread or need to worry about collapse,
When the deputy arrived there was no transfer of Command and he started whacking more Alarms and giving irrelevant & incoherent orders neglecting the rescue effort, ( they had about 5 Alarms Too many )
The District Chief in Car 4 did a good Job from the beginning and concentrated on Rescuing them , Also Deputy Fleming showed up even though it wasn't His half of the City , but He stayed to help coordinate a Rescue party and said He was Injured too,
( they didn't say what either Rescue Co. was doing but a handful of Firefighters & Co. Officers made a Suicidal attempt to save them and took an awful beating,
They think when the Flashover happened they separated and took refuge in two separate Apartments and waited , until the Fire got them , and believe their S.C.B.A.'s ran out before the Fire got to them.
( also the Lowery Hydrants were taken off the Engines as were the 3 types of Cellar Pipes the Ladder Co.'s carried and disappeared? so there were no Hydrants for the arriving Engine Co.'s in the rear).
They say deputy Finn gave the Order that everyone get out , or nobody go in , I guess that's not true , it was Hasson who overruled all, and Car 4 gave the original Order, but it was used for propaganda because of the back door planned appointment of deputy Finn as Commissioner , and Chief Too! if that's true what they say , that's pretty cynical , but that Fire shows a need for a separate Chief of Department!
but you cant discern what's what really , these are not Official Audio recordings , but from peoples Scanners .
Yes.
Rest easy brothers. We'll take it from here. Thank you for all you did. My condolences to the families of the two firefighters.
R.I.P. Fallen brothers. May the surviving brothers and sisters of the Entire Boston Fire Department receive the proper post critical incident support...
R.I.P. To the Brothers lost...condolences to the Boston Fire Dept from the Brothers and Sisters of the Stroudsburg Fire Dept. Stroudsburg,PA...this was heart wrenching to listen to...
I don't even know where to start or what to say.This was horrible to say the least. Im just a volunteer and have been for 17 years now and although i didn't know any of them just listening to this made me tear up.My prayers go out to those lost and to there families and friends. God Speed!!!!
RIP Brothers Engine 33
From mass, we've had so many fire fighter tragedy here . This is just heartbreaking to listen too.
My heart goes out to the families of these two fallen heroes and firefighters who lost their brothers. RIP.
Engine 33 is Boston Strong Always !
Rest In Peace Brothers !
The dispatcher did a good job the only thing I did not hear was command saying in touch with the mayday. They took everybody off channel 2 and put them on channel 3 which is fine but I think they should of stayed in communication with the mayday. Praying for the family and Boston Fire Dept.
so i feel as if this building had void spaces like a ballon frame construction, that the FFs in the basement encountered a flash over on the floor above them as the fire traveled through void space in the walls and it collapsed some building materials onto the hose that would of given them water. cities need to regulate old ballon frame construction, this is too common of an occurance....I could be wrong for sure, but this is what I think....i will follow this investigation's results
san francisco requires some old victorians in the old bldgs with void spaces to be filled with a fire resistant putty material
as of right now they think it was the extremely strong winds caused a window to get blown out and a threw the fire right at them.
The high winds seem to be the major cause. Started as a basement fire that ran the house. I'm not familiar with the construction in Boston so I can't say whether or no it was balloon framing. Either way the older buildings (balloon framing or not) tend to have many void spaces.
God Bless all involved.
Michael we miss you sweetie
The dispatcher did great. Rest in peace brothers and sending love and hugs to all involved.
God bless those brave souls and their families. RIP my brothers.
Rest In Peace Brothers, Godspeed.
Sounds like they are stepping on each other and the first call for help is not heard by command or dispatch. I pray for them and their loved one's. Such courageous men.
After listening to this many time .. Sadly I think there going to find.. 33 had 22's line in the basement.. thats why they never got water.. 33 did not have 33s line.. they never got water because they didnt have there line.. @ 5:36 car 4 sends 22 to put a line into the basement.. 22 sends it thru.. @ 6:53 /33 yells charge the line.. Its not 33s line @ 7:21 Dispatch calls for Engine 33 to charge line 7:50 Mayda..My God..
engine 33 would not have 22 line 33 was first due they took their own line down 22 probably didn't even get there until after 33 already made entry.
Bone chilling audio! RIP Brothers.
Our thoughts and prayers for our lost brothers and their families
My hat is off to the dispatcher, comsumate professional under tremendous pressure
7 Company Halifax NS Canada Local 268
This must have been a Huge fire, if you dont mind me asking, what actually determines on how many alarms they actually make a fire??????
+Andrew Silva Andrew, it wasn't a very large fire, but it was concentrated in a virtual oven, a 4 story brick apartment building. 9 alarms is basically emptying every station you have in the city with out of town Fire Dept's coming into cover. I think what people can't relate to with this audio is how fierce the winds were that day in Boston. 40+ mph winds were whipping off the Charles River which created the perfect storm.
Alarms means the box alarm. Every company is different. But what they mean is command asked for an upgrade 9 times. Each alarm brings so many engines, ladders, and so on.
That's hell listening to those Firemen dying! Damn shame.
I am sorry my brothers and sisters, I wish I could have been there to help, it breaks me heart every time but I know your love is as great as mine because you found the love in everything you do! Boston Strong Forever!
All things considered the women on the tape did a good job. They all did the best they could. 13 fireman injured on this fire trying to save their trapped brothers. May they R.I.P.
We keep our heads up and we learn from our fallen brothers and sisters as we move on.
As a retired FF, am I the only one who feels this recording should not have aired. I would not my wife and kids hear my last words as I was trying to get out of a fatal situation.
I feel the same way. This should not have been released. My heart goes out to their families.
I agree...
Should be taken off. I agree
I concur. This shouldn't be aired in a public forum. It's insensitive and it's wrong.
Chris, the reason I listened to it was to try to understand what happened and to honor the memories of Lt Walsh and FF Kennedy. I was crying while I listened. While I hope their families never hear this, unless they want to, I think it has teaching value. I have donated to the credit union fund for Walsh and Kennedy's families, in part because of the depth of pain I felt listening to their last words. I also watched their funerals on TV. May they rest in eternal peace, in the arms of the Lord.
heart breaking. around 15 minutes in they are asking if anyones coming to get them. aweful fire
Fireman here, GOD BLESS THEM and Boston has some of the best firemen out there, but I gotta ask...Why were they in the basement without a charged line!!??? R.I.P. and prayers.
They were first call, might have gone in to asses.. You know how we are Charge First and Fast
The hose burned through...
Sounded like engine 33 crew was trappd in the basement but i.c. had no communication woth them. Do we just not hear any action being taken when the mayday was called? Or was there no initial action? A sad day for Boston FD regardless! Rip brothers and thoughts and prayers for their families.
its a damn shame... sends chills down my back hearing those cries for water... Godspeed brothers... Rest in Peace.
Are all these companies on one frequency or is this a compilation of multiple frequencies?
this wasn't a BFD recording , someone did it from a Scanner and didn't lock it on the Fireground frequency.
God Bless the Dispatcher ("Fire Alarm") handling this box 1579 and Maydays. May the Lord bless her that she not hear this call for the rest of her life...
That dispatcher did an excellent job in an extremely horrible situation.
Did 33 ever charge a line? Repeated calls for exterior line seem to have gone undone. What happened there?
+David Fernandez Yeah they were repeatedly trying to charge the line. Problem was 33's attack hose had burned thru, so they weren't getting water the nozzle. You can hear Lt. Walsh say his lines must have burned thru.
Yes. The fire burned through the hose line.
Are fire hoses usually not fire resistant?
Fire retardant, not fire resistant
did engine co #33 ever get their line charged?
I think they ran an inch and three quarter inch line, but never got it charged..they carry water on the piece...I don't get it
Leo Fitzgibbon It's possible that they already did have water but the line got burnt through
joey kaplan not if it was Charged, it would not burn through, especially that quickly.
+James Berlo yes it is possible.
Rest in peace brothers
Rest in peace brothers, condolences from PA
21:20 engine 33 just then sending water down?
Possibility early on that the attack line burnt through.
Rip Ed Walsh and Michael Kennedy, my heart goes out to the families and friends too. I had to listen to this and it's heartbreaking and gave me chills but just like everyone here commenting we all wanted to hear it. One question tho from where is this audio from? A app or other place?
Once again my condolences.
About 16 minutes in, you can hear the regulator an empty air bottle
I thought the same thing.. Sound as if they were keying the mic but coulnt talk.... @ 13:00 I was thinking thats it for them.Could hear it in his voice... God rest them..
It sounded like his last transmission was "charge the line in the basement, I'm not ready to die" at 15:53. Then it sounded like he ran out of air like you said. This fucking sucks.
rambosperm I think 33 had 22s line and thats why they never got water..@5:36 car 4 tells 22 to put i line in the basement and it is for 33.. 33 doesnt know that and they keep trying 33s line charged when in fact its 22 that needs to charge for 33..
rambosperm
he doesn't say that he says "need a line in the basement, right away a big line" he is asking for a 2 1/2 inch line to the basement. I work on Boston fire with these Gents may god rest there souls they will greatly missed
brc028 @ 5;36 listen to what he tells 22 to do..
I think its way too early to have this online and even to comment on it. Out of respect to the families I think. God bless you Boston Fire and may our brothers rest in peace..
Well said sir. There is no good reason for this heartbreaking audio to be available. RIP.
What time in the video did the maydays occur?
very early.
within the first 3 minutes of E33 signing on scene.
The mayday comes in around 745 and they change tact chan to 3 right around 8 mins to leave mayday as 2 up.