I live in worcester all my life and I am very proud of our firefighters. Just had the 20th anniversary and it was very special. Thank you for sharing. Cheers udizzy1969
Chief I cannot even imagine what you and the other brothers went thru that night even after reading 3000 degrees but I always have this fire in the back of my mind when i go out with my colleagues you made the right decision and saved countless brothers lives god bless you may you enjoy your well deserved retirement
When Chief described what happened when the Capt and his partner came down from the roof, ran out of air, searched around and around for what turned out to be a FLUSH door with a drop down ring opener, my heart literally sank. God that must have been so horrible. Horrible for everybody, needless to say. Thanks for your years Chief, and your contribution
There are always Monday morning quarterbacks in our line of work. Never judge someone if you never walked in their shoes. Don't judge, LEARN. Thank you Chief for your bravery, and thank you to your men who lost their lives that horrific night.
I still remember being on Radio Watch when the reports came in.. I walked into my stations day room and let my platoon know what had just happened.. The tv went from The Simpsons to CNN in under 3 seconds.. This was the largest funeral I ever attended until 9/11 for guys on the job!
I just stumbled upon your story on themoth.org/radio-hour/a-brave-front . I had to listen twice. My Dad was the Fire Commissioner in Boston, the first who came up through the ranks. We walked as a family through the losses of the Vendome Fire in 1972, when 9 firefighters were killed. Listening to your account was like sitting with my Dad who passed in 2009. I believe in 72 he was Deputy Chief. Thank you for sharing your firefighter's heart and account so beautifully with us. I still feel part of the "family". Thank you for your service. I hope that we cross paths some time on the Cape.
Chief, you made the hardest decision and the right call. This job is dangerous and we all know the risks. You know every brother would keep going in as that is what we do. Especially for our own. We will always go into hell for each other and you knew that. You knew it would cost more lives. I admire and respect you. God bless you. Never forget. RFB.
Cheif it was what you had to do & god gave you peace in that moment ! I drove by on 290 going to Oxford Ems working a medic shift for my Dept & came from my new place of Sterling I also worked Ems in Worc for many years @ time of box I had friends on @ the time also ! We all support you ! I listened from the radio room & worked Sunday following my Ft Ems shift. ☹️
The book "3000 Degrees" by Sean Flynn about this tragedy is an awesome read. Tells the story of the men in their personal lives and draws a vivid picture of what these six brave firemen faced that night.
I heard and public radio this Saturday the 30 minute interview and it made me cry cause I lost an older firefighter brother . But the end story kinda made me laugh . But still we should never loose any firefighter
Chief you honestly made the right decision and choice I'm not from mass but I used to be a voulenteer firefighter you and all the brother and sister firefighters God speed please be careful out there and thank you brothers and sisters and to the Worcester 6 y'all are heroes and the bravest of the brave
I’ve looked for interior pictures of the building before the fire. I’ve seen the report photos but they’re very limited. Doesn’t anyone know if there are pictures of the interior pre fire? I’ve read all the reports and seen the pictures of some of the insulation. Was wondering if there are historic photos.
I’ve seen one before. Its in the Worcester 6 documentary, and read a report that described the layout, from what I’ve seen/read the floors were just flat and empty with some support pillars mixed in.
I'm 47 now and been a fireman since I was 25. I live in GA and firefighting is falling by the wayside because all FD down here cares about EMS. We now transport. Force our EMTs to get their paramedic. They have to man these Med units so a lot of us especially me being a paramedic since I was 20 can't hardly sit in a fire truck anymore. I worked at one department that had no Med units and I was a true firefighter including engineering but the department I'm at now transports. Gotta make that money, firefighting is now on the back burner. It's idiotic but it's the trend everybody is going to. I can't stand how it's gotten to where you have to have all these Med certifications but don't really get paid for it, not really. We want to be fireman, fighting fire is why we became fireman not ride on med units. These guys died doing the job, the REAL JOB. Not to say today's guys are not Heros in their own right but let the private services do the med thing. I've been told due to fire safety and a drastic decrease in structure fires the med side justifies our existence. I have about 6 years left to have a full vesting in my state pension then I'm out. I always dreamed of being a fireman not a taxi service. With that said I have actually pulled a live person out of a fully involved structure fire 10 years ago. He was the last surviving Tuskeegee fighter pilot from WW2. Me and my partner were nominated for the GA Govenors Medal Of Valor. That's as close as I'll ever get to these 6 guys who gave their lives. They represented what a true fireman wants to be. Sorry about the med rant but our FF skills are deteriorating because it's secondary now. God Bless guys. Stay safe.
I'm doing a report on this fire for one of my fire science classes. As of now I'm just a VFF basic and woodland type 2 FF but I'm working on moving up. & That is very sad that they lost men but if it wasn't for this things wouldn't have changed same with many other situations. I have done reports on the station night club fire and the lady of angle fire. And each one of those fires many good things have changed. I feel bad for all the men and women that have gone through that I hope to god, in my career I never have to deal with a mayday. I am a combat vet and was hurt in the line of duty I lost friends in war so I know the risks involved with FF and will do what I can and follow all SOP's Laws and recommendations that are put in place I will hopefully do very good and and my guys and I I will be working with will be just fine.
My husband is with our volly paid on call department. He's been on for a little over a year. I have a phobia of fire, and the way to conquer that is to learn. I read the NFPA report on this fire and it really bothered me that no one knew how many floors were in that monster or the layout. I looked at my husband and said, I hope you guys have layouts of all the commercial buildings in town. They do. They do walkthroughs of the buildings and keep up on when permits are pulled for improvements to know what changes are made, they train and practice for emergencies in specific buildings in town.....I think this knowledge would have perhaps contributed to saving these guys that night.
I am sorry but their sacrifice was unnecessary I live in Worcester this area is full of abandoned buildings. this piece of shit building should have been torn down 20 years before this fire. Some big shot was making money using this place to store trash in it. Again I say what a shame those men did not and should not have had to die.
Responding to this comment four years later but I have to say you're wrong. They began searching the building when there was a report that two civilians may have been inside. The first two firemen were lost searching for said civilians, and the other four were then lost trying to find the first two. It was a tragedy, but they all died trying to find and save human life.
Oh, you mean the owner of the buildings that cost several firefighters their lives? The building owners that cost fathers the ability to raise their children? The building owners that cost wives the chance to grow to old age with their husbands? Those building owners? The bravery is in confronting those who have caused the most grievous possible harm to your family. Patriotism is in wielding the American justice system to do exactly what is intended to be done with it- to pursue recompense for harm inflicted.
@@headshot_hermionegranger7401 how was it the owners fault? Was the building inspected and shown to be a dangerous building that needed changes made to it?
@@spacecatboy2962 Fines from inspections weren't enforceable in the state of Massachusetts prior to this fire (it was quite literally the catalyst)- hence why not much would have been done about any inspections that were conducted. Also, during the post-fire report by NIOSH, it came out that workers at the facility (when it was actively in use) were known to get lost inside it on a regular basis. If your own employees are getting lost inside a building under normal working conditions, and every material you selected as insulation was known to be highly flammable (polyurethane, polystyrene, and styrofoam), and you have no built-in means of secondary escape or access above the first floor, it makes it the responsibility of the property owner. Pretty obvious changes should have been made to it long before the warehouse even closed down.
Doing the same mistakes Over and Over again, isn't going to make your job any better. Did I say Over and OVER??? How many dead fire fighter "heroes" have to die before you realize you need a completely different approach? Your town doesn't have any more dangerous structures than anywhere else. The same materials are burning and your water is just as wet so do you think it is your FFing philosophy and tactical approach? Worcester fire department needs to start over from the TOP down. The fire in December 2018 was a Keystone Cops Joke. This is NOT Rocket Science!
@John Doe I know this sounds strange but it's true. People think of fire fighters a Super Heroes. Brave people who put themselves in harms way to protect others but in reality it's all Bullshit. People needs heroes. The media caters to that need by building up the hero Bullshit. Listen to the speeches from the department, government and the media. A Hero died saving other fire fighter when in reality, he could have pushed that guy out the window so he could get some air. Can you imagine the panic of suffocating and burning? Nobody puts that aside and turns Hero. You saw what went on. Does this fit what you saw? A bunch of grown men, children Playing Hero ran onto a burning building with a nice adrenaline rush and got their asses burned because no one thought of eliminating the threat. What fun is fire fighting if you put the fire out too quick? Want to see some Bad fire fighting? All you have to ask yourself is, can I see what's burning and how long did they take to eliminate the flames? How much unnecessary danger did they put themselves in before they stopped playing and Just put water on the burning material. th-cam.com/play/PLkp0E1ao1XEzisVYZe0IOkO6ZtHzMKoe6.html th-cam.com/play/PLkp0E1ao1XEy2uMomAtjWfScRFcCUmwwv.html Here are the type of people who become fire players. No CEO's in this bunch! th-cam.com/play/PLkp0E1ao1XExHfb5WojXouf_CNJAvHuhg.html
@@chrisbishop7486 I don't respect anyone who says the will do a job correctly and then doesn't even come close and neither should you. But of course, if you are a non-thinking hero worshipper and you don't care about their performance, then you wouldn't understand that. Looks like you fall into that category.
@@JB91710….You have never learned to keep your mouth shut. You just don’t get it. You’re a clown and can guarantee you have no friends. If you do they are probably as ignorant and dumb as you
My grandfather was a firefighter at firehouse #2 he helped build it and served there for 33 years his name was Edward alfred boyer
I live in worcester all my life and I am very proud of our firefighters. Just had the 20th anniversary and it was very special. Thank you for sharing. Cheers udizzy1969
Chief I cannot even imagine what you and the other brothers went thru that night even after reading 3000 degrees but I always have this fire in the back of my mind when i go out with my colleagues you made the right decision and saved countless brothers lives god bless you may you enjoy your well deserved retirement
Chief , you did the right thinng.
Thank you chief. I remember this tragedy very well. Sincere regards from Texas.
That’s cool how he mentioned getting help with mental health stuff, no shame in getting therapy, these men are badassses and got help.
When Chief described what happened when the Capt and his partner came down from the roof, ran out of air, searched around and around for what turned out to be a FLUSH door with a drop down ring opener, my heart literally sank. God that must have been so horrible. Horrible for everybody, needless to say. Thanks for your years Chief, and your contribution
Chief, you made the right call, Nice Job
There are always Monday morning quarterbacks in our line of work. Never judge someone if you never walked in their shoes. Don't judge, LEARN.
Thank you Chief for your bravery, and thank you to your men who lost their lives that horrific night.
the first few lines of the book says alot.
That building scares me"
What is the book and where can you get it
@@joshuawarner2553 3000 Degrees by Mike McNamee
@@fyafighter1Mike didn’t write that book, a guy named Sean Flynn wrote it. Amazing book
@@JohnpaulDejoria666I stand corrected been a few years since I read it. It’s his point of view
@@jasonwells1678 you’re 1000% good, book is amazing
RIP BROTHERS & CHIEF GOD BLESS YOU THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE & THE DECISION YOU MADE THAT NIGHT.🙏
I still remember being on Radio Watch when the reports came in.. I walked into my stations day room and let my platoon know what had just happened.. The tv went from The Simpsons to CNN in under 3 seconds.. This was the largest funeral I ever attended until 9/11 for guys on the job!
I just stumbled upon your story on themoth.org/radio-hour/a-brave-front . I had to listen twice. My Dad was the Fire Commissioner in Boston, the first who came up through the ranks. We walked as a family through the losses of the Vendome Fire in 1972, when 9 firefighters were killed. Listening to your account was like sitting with my Dad who passed in 2009. I believe in 72 he was Deputy Chief. Thank you for sharing your firefighter's heart and account so beautifully with us. I still feel part of the "family". Thank you for your service. I hope that we cross paths some time on the Cape.
Just looked it up and he was Chief of Department
This Event shook the American Fire Sevice to its core. May God rest there souls.
Chief, you made the hardest decision and the right call. This job is dangerous and we all know the risks. You know every brother would keep going in as that is what we do. Especially for our own. We will always go into hell for each other and you knew that. You knew it would cost more lives. I admire and respect you. God bless you. Never forget. RFB.
Cheif it was what you had to do & god gave you peace in that moment ! I drove by on 290 going to Oxford Ems working a medic shift for my Dept & came from my new place of Sterling I also worked Ems in Worc for many years @ time of box I had friends on @ the time also ! We all support you ! I listened from the radio room & worked Sunday following my Ft Ems shift. ☹️
Anyone who’s been inside knows this is hard to listen to. But the right decision. Rest In Peace brothers.
The book "3000 Degrees" by Sean Flynn about this tragedy is an awesome read. Tells the story of the men in their personal lives and draws a vivid picture of what these six brave firemen faced that night.
I heard and public radio this Saturday the 30 minute interview and it made me cry cause I lost an older firefighter brother . But the end story kinda made me laugh . But still we should never loose any firefighter
Chief you honestly made the right decision and choice I'm not from mass but I used to be a voulenteer firefighter you and all the brother and sister firefighters God speed please be careful out there and thank you brothers and sisters and to the Worcester 6 y'all are heroes and the bravest of the brave
I never forget
I’ve looked for interior pictures of the building before the fire. I’ve seen the report photos but they’re very limited. Doesn’t anyone know if there are pictures of the interior pre fire? I’ve read all the reports and seen the pictures of some of the insulation. Was wondering if there are historic photos.
I’ve seen one before. Its in the Worcester 6 documentary, and read a report that described the layout, from what I’ve seen/read the floors were just flat and empty with some support pillars mixed in.
You did not fail. You lost a battle and made perfect decisions to win the war.
I'm 47 now and been a fireman since I was 25. I live in GA and firefighting is falling by the wayside because all FD down here cares about EMS. We now transport. Force our EMTs to get their paramedic. They have to man these Med units so a lot of us especially me being a paramedic since I was 20 can't hardly sit in a fire truck anymore. I worked at one department that had no Med units and I was a true firefighter including engineering but the department I'm at now transports. Gotta make that money, firefighting is now on the back burner. It's idiotic but it's the trend everybody is going to. I can't stand how it's gotten to where you have to have all these Med certifications but don't really get paid for it, not really. We want to be fireman, fighting fire is why we became fireman not ride on med units. These guys died doing the job, the REAL JOB. Not to say today's guys are not Heros in their own right but let the private services do the med thing. I've been told due to fire safety and a drastic decrease in structure fires the med side justifies our existence. I have about 6 years left to have a full vesting in my state pension then I'm out. I always dreamed of being a fireman not a taxi service. With that said I have actually pulled a live person out of a fully involved structure fire 10 years ago. He was the last surviving Tuskeegee fighter pilot from WW2. Me and my partner were nominated for the GA Govenors Medal Of Valor. That's as close as I'll ever get to these 6 guys who gave their lives. They represented what a true fireman wants to be. Sorry about the med rant but our FF skills are deteriorating because it's secondary now. God Bless guys. Stay safe.
My brother is part of Lubeck Fire dept station 20
I'm doing a report on this fire for one of my fire science classes. As of now I'm just a VFF basic and woodland type 2 FF but I'm working on moving up. & That is very sad that they lost men but if it wasn't for this things wouldn't have changed same with many other situations. I have done reports on the station night club fire and the lady of angle fire. And each one of those fires many good things have changed. I feel bad for all the men and women that have gone through that I hope to god, in my career I never have to deal with a mayday. I am a combat vet and was hurt in the line of duty I lost friends in war so I know the risks involved with FF and will do what I can and follow all SOP's Laws and recommendations that are put in place I will hopefully do very good and and my guys and I I will be working with will be just fine.
My husband is with our volly paid on call department. He's been on for a little over a year. I have a phobia of fire, and the way to conquer that is to learn. I read the NFPA report on this fire and it really bothered me that no one knew how many floors were in that monster or the layout. I looked at my husband and said, I hope you guys have layouts of all the commercial buildings in town. They do. They do walkthroughs of the buildings and keep up on when permits are pulled for improvements to know what changes are made, they train and practice for emergencies in specific buildings in town.....I think this knowledge would have perhaps contributed to saving these guys that night.
Doing a report for my career academy class.
L & P
I am sorry but their sacrifice was unnecessary I live in Worcester this area is full of abandoned buildings. this piece of shit building should have been torn down 20 years before this fire. Some big shot was making money using this place to store trash in it. Again I say what a shame those men did not and should not have had to die.
Responding to this comment four years later but I have to say you're wrong. They began searching the building when there was a report that two civilians may have been inside. The first two firemen were lost searching for said civilians, and the other four were then lost trying to find the first two. It was a tragedy, but they all died trying to find and save human life.
and then the families sued the buildings own, where the bravery and patriotism in that lame ass move
Fuck you.
Oh, you mean the owner of the buildings that cost several firefighters their lives? The building owners that cost fathers the ability to raise their children? The building owners that cost wives the chance to grow to old age with their husbands? Those building owners? The bravery is in confronting those who have caused the most grievous possible harm to your family. Patriotism is in wielding the American justice system to do exactly what is intended to be done with it- to pursue recompense for harm inflicted.
@@headshot_hermionegranger7401 how was it the owners fault? Was the building inspected and shown to be a dangerous building that needed changes made to it?
@@spacecatboy2962 Fines from inspections weren't enforceable in the state of Massachusetts prior to this fire (it was quite literally the catalyst)- hence why not much would have been done about any inspections that were conducted. Also, during the post-fire report by NIOSH, it came out that workers at the facility (when it was actively in use) were known to get lost inside it on a regular basis. If your own employees are getting lost inside a building under normal working conditions, and every material you selected as insulation was known to be highly flammable (polyurethane, polystyrene, and styrofoam), and you have no built-in means of secondary escape or access above the first floor, it makes it the responsibility of the property owner. Pretty obvious changes should have been made to it long before the warehouse even closed down.
Doing the same mistakes Over and Over again, isn't going to make your job any better. Did I say Over and OVER??? How many dead fire fighter "heroes" have to die before you realize you need a completely different approach? Your town doesn't have any more dangerous structures than anywhere else. The same materials are burning and your water is just as wet so do you think it is your FFing philosophy and tactical approach? Worcester fire department needs to start over from the TOP down. The fire in December 2018 was a Keystone Cops Joke. This is NOT Rocket Science!
@John Doe I know this sounds strange but it's true. People think of fire fighters a Super Heroes. Brave people who put themselves in harms way to protect others but in reality it's all Bullshit. People needs heroes. The media caters to that need by building up the hero Bullshit. Listen to the speeches from the department, government and the media. A Hero died saving other fire fighter when in reality, he could have pushed that guy out the window so he could get some air. Can you imagine the panic of suffocating and burning? Nobody puts that aside and turns Hero.
You saw what went on. Does this fit what you saw? A bunch of grown men, children Playing Hero ran onto a burning building with a nice adrenaline rush and got their asses burned because no one thought of eliminating the threat. What fun is fire fighting if you put the fire out too quick? Want to see some Bad fire fighting? All you have to ask yourself is, can I see what's burning and how long did they take to eliminate the flames? How much unnecessary danger did they put themselves in before they stopped playing and Just put water on the burning material.
th-cam.com/play/PLkp0E1ao1XEzisVYZe0IOkO6ZtHzMKoe6.html
th-cam.com/play/PLkp0E1ao1XEy2uMomAtjWfScRFcCUmwwv.html
Here are the type of people who become fire players. No CEO's in this bunch! th-cam.com/play/PLkp0E1ao1XExHfb5WojXouf_CNJAvHuhg.html
Disrespectful piece of shit burn in hell
@@chrisbishop7486 I don't respect anyone who says the will do a job correctly and then doesn't even come close and neither should you. But of course, if you are a non-thinking hero worshipper and you don't care about their performance, then you wouldn't understand that. Looks like you fall into that category.
@@JB91710….You have never learned to keep your mouth shut. You just don’t get it. You’re a clown and can guarantee you have no friends. If you do they are probably as ignorant and dumb as you