Neil Orgenstein | naugenstein@wtop.com
A week after two alarm fires broke out in the 23rd Street restaurant in Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia, local firefighters said that the shortage of manpower resulted in fewer first responders than needed for emergency situations.
No one was injured in the fire on the 500th block of South 23rd Street on Saturday night. According to Arlington Fire and EMS, the fire caused US$1.8 million in damages.
However, in a joint statement issued by the union representing Arlington and Alexandria firefighters, the lack of staff in the Alexandria department puts the public and firefighters at risk.
"The initial call should send at least 12 firefighters to perform tasks such as erecting ladders, forced entry, and search and rescue. Instead, only 8 people were dispatched," Brian Lynch, the chairman of the union representing the Arlington firefighters, said in a press release.
"Both companies were occupied when the fire started. Fortunately, no one was injured, and no firefighters were unable to help themselves."
According to the union, engine companies and rescue companies have different responsibilities at the fire scene.
The engine company put out the fire and brought water and hoses. In commercial fires, such as the fire in Crystal City, the task of rescue companies is usually to dismantle safety devices in buildings that prevent entry and find people who may be trapped in the fire.
The joint statement said: "The situation reached its peak last Saturday when the rescue company in South Arlington was unable to immediately respond to the fire in Crystal City because it was already responding to another fire call in Alexandria."
Fairfax County requested additional rescue assistance.
"Fortunately, on-site firefighters from other functional departments such as EMS or firefighters ready to rescue trapped firefighters can help with some firefighting operations. But we should not rely on it," Lynch said.
The WTO is seeking advice from the Alexandria Fire Department on the union’s comments on the fire last week.
The city has previously commented on the staffing issues expressed by the union: "The city recognizes that the stressful labor market has led to the staffing challenges of the Alexandria Fire Department. Therefore, the city, like some of its neighbors, has established a dynamic Staffing, according to the availability of firefighters and medical staff to establish shift staffing."
The city stated that the plan includes filling approximately 60 job vacancies by the first quarter of 2022.
"We are playing a game of Russian roulette and hope everything goes well," the union statement said.
Neal Augenstein has been a reporter at the WTO since 1997. Over the years, Neal has reported on many crimes and trials in the area. Over the years, Neal has been happy to receive awards for hard news, feature reports, voice use, and sports.
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