Hutchinson, Kan. Fire Chief, Firefighters Recall Spat of Bad Calls

Since Dec. 8, the Hutchinson Fire Department has battled 15 structure fires.

In one blaze, 8-year-old Caiden Adams later died of severe burns in the hospital. In another, Capt. Aaron Walton and firefighter Vincent Quentin fell through the floor of a home after the flames weakened the boards beneath their feet.

Add in the electrical issues that ignite the fires and the improper use of a heating source, the constant fight is taxing on firefighters.

But that comes with the job.

“Anytime you respond to a fire, you’re going to a dangerous situation and anything is possible,” said Chief Kim Forbes of the Hutchinson Fire Department. “We prepare for odd circumstances from an emotional standpoint and physical. It’s an extreme tragedy when you lose anyone. Those guys are real close and look after each other when circumstances like this arise.”

As for the physical aspect of the job to combat the fires, especially in the recent cold and snowy conditions, Forbes said HFD brings in extra crew members, a trailer so firefighters can go inside to warm up, and spare sets of dry clothes and socks when their other clothes are soaked from the water.

“We have to fight fires in these elements, so we have to train properly to be in physical shape,” Forbes said.

If firefighters are injured or a fatality happens during a fire, Forbes said discussions are had on what needs to be improved, counseling with a psychologist or talks with a minister or chaplain.

“When you ride a horse and fall off a horse, you need to get back up and ease into the situation. That’s why that help is there,” he said.

But when the floor collapsed beneath Walton and Quentin, Battalion Fire Chief Rex Albright of the HFD Red Crew said, it was vital that instincts and training kicked in.

“That’s ‘mayday’ training. All radio traffic is cleared. Guys are supposed to give reports, calm themselves down, wait for traffic to come in and give their location,” Albright said.

Fellow firefighters used a ladder to rescue their comrades from the collapsed flooring, but in other cases, firefighters also can use the water hose to rappel or use a rope to pull them out.

Forbes and Albright said the two firefighters are both fine.

But Albright did acknowledge there is a different feeling in the air when a life is lost during a fire, especially a child.

“Firefighters have children the same ages. Children affect us more. It makes you want to give your kids a hug a little harder than you did before.

“I’m not saying adults aren’t just as troubling, but it hits home harder when it’s a kid.”

Some of the recent residential fires were older homes, but Albright said it’s not the home itself, but what’s going on inside. He said he understands that families are trying to keep warm, but faulty heating units and overloading circuits will only exacerbate the issue.

“Most of the time when we talk to residents, they tell us they’ve been doing this for a time and signs have been present. It happens when you don’t have the money to get a breaker. All humans have to survive,” Albright said.

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