Crime & Safety

Fire Department Honors Fallen 9 by Looking to the Future

The Charleston Fire Department marks an ominous milestone Tuesday, the sixth anniversary of the 2007 Sofa Super Store fire that killed nine firefighters.

In the six years since nine Charleston firefighters were killed in the June 18, 2007 Sofa Super Store fire the Charleston Fire Department has worked with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to help fire departments across the country.

In the aftermath of the deaths of Brandon Thompson, Bradford "Brad" Baity, Captain Louis Mulkey, Mark Kelsey, Captain Mike Benke,  Captain William Hutchinson, Melvin Champaign, Michael French and James "Earl" Drayton, the department worked closely with the NFFF on several fronts including reducing the  incidence of on duty deaths and injuries. Working with CFD, the Foundation created the "Everyone Goes Home" program, a series of 16 firefighter life safety initiatives, according to ABCNews4.

The Foundation has also worked with the department to produce a documentary called "Charleston 9: The Ultimate Sacrifice," which is available on YouTube.

"We hope the community will watch the video and gain a better understanding of the tremendous accomplishments achieved by the team members of this department,” said Fire Chief Karen Brack. “The incredible improvements are a tribute to the Charleston 9, recognizes the vision of Chief Carr, and provides an overview of a level of success that our community can take pride in.”


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