Baltimore City Fire Chief Niles Ford has resigned, according to a statement from Mayor Brandon Scott.
The resignation comes the same day that a report was released on the vacant rowhome fire along Stricker Street. The report painfully details what happened at the scene of the fire in January and makes a slew of recommendations in the wake of the deaths of Baltimore Fire Lieutenant Paul Butrim, Lieutenant Kelsey Sadler, and Firefighter/Paramedic Kenny Lacayo.
In April, their deaths had been ruled homicides. A fourth firefighter, John McMaster, was also injured in the January tragedy.
Throughout dozens of pages of dispatch and radio communications from the early morning of January 24th, the report paints a chaotic response to the fire that day.
At times, the report outlines confusion over which firefighters were on scene and/or trapped inside the collapsed, burning structure.
The report also included 41 pages of findings and recommendations, including changing the culture of the fire department. According to the report:
Although there is no evidence that the following recommendations could have prevented these fatalities, interviewed members expressed their concern regarding the competitive culture within the Fire Department. The perceived culture oftentimes creates a sense of urgency in execution of duties.
The report recommends pushing for cultural change within the department related to safety while maintaining an aggressive approach to firefighting.
Other recommendations ranged from implementing improved radio communications, firefighter equipment and technology, training protocols, and emotional supports for firefighters after incidents of "operational stress."
"This incident involved a catastrophic collapse and multiple trapped firefighters which created inordinate levels of physical, mental, and emotional stress for our members," the report said. "Effects from such heightened mental and emotional stress can lead to impaired senses and communications, premature fatigue, stifled decision-making processes, and diminished situational awareness..."
A lack of organized leadership at the scene of the Stricker Street fire also "contributed to reduced [firefighter] safety," according to the report.
The absence of a strong interior command presence led to a lack of accountability and increased risk taking during this highly emotional and dangerous rescue operation.
Rich Langford, president of IAFF Local 734, said that Ford's resignation was shocking but not surprising.
Langford also noted what he sees as the top priorities for the next person in charge of the Baltimore City Fire Department.
"Reestablishing morale within this department. Stability. That is what this department has been lacking for many, many years now. We have people coming and going left and right. We need to put an end to that. We need people to come here and stay for a career," said Langford.
A report from Maryland Occupational Safety and Health in August revealed that the firefighters who responded were not aware the vacant home was damaged in a fire in 2015, which left several firefighters injured, and if they’d known, they may have approached it differently.
"My administration will immediately establish an accountability program to ensure that these recommendations are properly implemented and that we have a department that is not only committed to protecting and saving the lives of our residents, but is equally committed to carrying out this work in a manner that also safeguards the lives of those men and women who selflessly serve others on a daily basis," according to the statement from Mayor Brandon Scott.
The Mayor's Office said the more than 300 page report was compiled by a 10-person "Board of Inquiry," which was composed of people from the Baltimore City Fire Department, Prince George’s County Fire and EMS, District of Columbia Fire and EMS, and the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services.
"With today’s change in leadership, my administration will appoint a group of BCFD commanders to serve as Acting Fire Chief on an interim basis. Assistant Chief Charles Svehla, Assistant Chief Chris Caisse, and Assistant Chief Dante Stewart will each have the opportunity to serve as Acting Fire Chief for a designated time period as we conduct a search to identify a permanent leader,” according to the Mayor's Office.
The report is dated September 13, 2022. It is unknown why the report remained unpublished until December.