Aug 22, 2007 6:36 am US/Eastern
Recruit Killed In Training Failed Agility Test
by Mary Bubala
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Racheal Wilson had failed agility tests and was equipped with old gear that failed. (File)
WJZ
A disturbing report uncovers dozens of safety violations were broken in the live burn training exercise that killed Baltimore City fire recruit Racheal Wilson.
Eyewitness News spoke with Wilson's family about what the report reveals.
Among other things, it shows she was given tattered turnout gear and was in no way physically prepared to participate in a live burn. Her family is outraged at the findings.
"The family is of course shocked that there is another report," said family friend Henry C. Burris.
It's been six months since Wilson was killed during a live burn training exercise, but her family still doesn't know why she died.
Now a scathing report details mistake after mistake made by the Baltimore City Fire Department--preventable errors that led to Wilson's death.
"Oh, they are angry. You must understand they are constantly getting new reports and it doesn't allow them to go through a grieving process," Burris said.
Burris was with the family as they read the report. It cites how instructors never let recruits walk through the home and didn't remove debris before setting it on fire. It also says they lit too many fires, adding up to 50 violations of national safety standards. That's 17 more than were found in an internal investigation.
The report also finds Wilson failed agility tests, wasn't corrected when she kept removing her mask, couldn't control the fire nozzle under pressure and was given tattered pants full of holes, which led to severe burns on her legs.
Union leaders react.
"Certainly some of the recruits weren't up to standards. To add the added burden of rushing them through their training was a recipe for disaster," said union leader Steve Fugate.
The family hasn't had a chance to read the entire report yet. They're still working their way through all 121 pages, but say based on what they've read so far, they're shocked and still have a lot of questions they want answered.
"This is six months after the incident! They are constantly being given new material to try and digest and see what caused their relative to die," Burris said.
Fire Chief William Goodwin's future is also uncertain. When asked about him Tuesday, the mayor responded by saying she has "strong questions on every level."
City officials say most safety recommendations raised in the report have already been implemented and three commanders were also fired.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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