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Firefighter Union requests more manpower; states it impacted response to deadly Fall River blaze

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At a Monday press conference, firefighter unions stressed that manpower impacted response to a fatal Fall River fire.

Edward Kelly, the President of the International Firefighter Union issued thoughts and prayers to the victim’s and their families of the fatal fire Sunday at Gabriel House on Oliver Street in Fall River.

Kelly then began to say what he called a travesty for the people inside the Gabriel House last night.

“Fall River Fire Department runs with 10 fire companies, only 2 of them are staffed to national standards with 4 firefighters on those companies.”

Kelly mentioned that if the Fall River Fire Department had 40 firefighters instead of 32, lives would have been saved. He estimated that 5 less deaths could have occurred. Kelly referenced the New Bedford Fire Department which has 9 fire companies fully staffed.

Both Kelly and Fall River Firefighter Union President Michael O’ Reagan praised the heroic efforts of both on and off-duty personnel and how they responded while expressing staffing concerns. Off-duty firefighters reportedly worked the scene without gear and oxygen.

“We did the best we could with what we had, and what we had was not enough”, said O’ Reagan who also responded to the scene from his home. “In Fall River, public safety has been a line item.”

O’ Reagan stated that 40 minutes into the fire, when his brother, off duty Captain Frank O’ Reagan arrived on scene, no on duty firefighters were available to help Captain O’ Reagan search for victims.

Kelly stated that upon arrival, people were hanging out of windows and were being rescued with ground ladders which is labor intensive and also hampered fighting the fire.

Michael O’ Reagan praised EMS, FRPD, and St. Anne’s Hospital for getting patients from the fire scene to the hospital. Some officers suffered from smoke inhalation.

Off-duty firefighters who responded are tired but still plan to work their next shift.

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