Bill Would Ban Baltimore FFs from Entering Fires in Vacant Buildings

A member of the Baltimore City Council introduced a surprise bill that would limit when firefighters can enter vacant buildings and require them to wear body cameras.

Councilwoman Danielle McCray introduced the Firefighter Safety Act that would establish policies for fighting fires at vacant structures, including banning Baltimore firefighters from entering a burning vacant or abandoned building unless there is a person in the building. Crews would only be allowed to enter the structures if the fire has consumed less than a quarter of the building and if “structural and hazardous conditions permit a safe entry,” WYPR reported.

The bill was introduced this week in response to the Jan. 24 fire in a vacant rowhome where a collapse claimed the lives of Lt. Paul Butrim, Lt. Kelsey Sadler, and Firefighter/Paramedic Kenneth Lacayo. Firefighter/EMT John McMaster suffered serious injuries and was released from the hospital a week later.

“Although we cannot bring those we have lost back as a council, we are in a position to abate the grave consequences of future eras,” the McCray said when she introduced the bill. “We can see to it that the safety measures and equipment are in place to ensure that Baltimore City does not incur such great loss again on our watch.”

Another component of the bill would require all fire personnel employed by Baltimore City to be equipped with digital audio and video recording devices while responding.

Two more parts of the bill will limit the speed fire apparatus operators can travel and developing a program to identify unsafe structures.

A fire department spokesperson said the council did not consult with Fire Chief Niles Ford before presenting the bill. The president of Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 964 said he was not consulted.

Both told WYPR they are willing to work with city on the bill but it requires further discussion.