Oct 5, 2008 11:51 pm US/Eastern
Fire Dept. Recruit Remembered At Memorial Service
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
A Baltimore Fire Department recruit who died during a training exercise was remembered Sunday at a national memorial service.
Racheal Wilson's family tells
Suzanne Collins it still isn't easy, even more than a year after her death.
The 101 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice last year were honored at the National Firefighters Memorial in western Maryland. One of them is Baltimore's Racheal Wilson, who died inside a burning house during a training exercise that got out of control.
Wilson's family met with others who have lost a loved one in the fire service for support.
"Everything is just so overwhelming. Everybody has just treated us like family. It's beautiful," said Pricilla Neal.
There are new plaques for firefighters who have died each year and an eternal flame to keep their memory alive. Wilson's death in January last year created a scandal when it was learned guidelines were violated during the fatal training exercise.
After Wilson's death, there was an investigation that led to safety improvements. Also, a handful of people at the department were either terminated or reprimanded.
"Mistakes were made, unacceptable mistakes. There are no excuses," said Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon.
A deputy chief at the memorial says the thinking about safety has changed since the trainee's death.
"We're trying to think from the top down, all the way to our newest recruit, to constantly think safety," said Baltimore Fire Department Deputy Chief Raymond Devilbiss.
But Sunday, minds were instead on Racheal Wilson and her memory. She was a 29-year-old mother of two who was excited to have a career dedicating herself to the safety of others.
"It's touching to hear everyone's story. Everyone has a story to tell. A lot of heroes here, a lot of heroes," Neal said.
Wilson's daughter is still living in Baltimore with her father's family. Her son has moved out of state with other relatives.
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