LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
DEPARTMENTS
Reporting suspected child abuse may be answering a silent prayer
I read with great interest Jacqueline V. Switzer’s article on firefighter responsibility as it related to child abuse cases (FIRE ENGINEERING, September 1986). While we here in Philadelphia are mandated reporters, I feel very strongly that there is indeed a moral responsibility to get involved as well.
I would like to cite a recent case from our files.
During a post-fire death investigation, it became apparent to our investigators that they were faced with an abuse incident. The particulars of this case, along with the death photographs, put new meaning to the words “child abuse.” I have been involved in public safety work for 28 years and I am also a combat veteran, but I still get chills thinking about this boy.
As grotesque as it may seem, I feel compelled to share excerpts from our reports with your fire service readers in order to develop or foster an appreciation for just how important Switzer’s message is.
The postmortem report said, “Chronic battered child with:
- Bilateral healed upper extremity fractures.
- Bilateral healed fractures of the ninth and tenth ribs.
- Multiple cutaneous healed fractures.
- Old cerebral contusions.
- Old fracture of left clavicle.”
- It went on to include comments like:
- ” Numerous external scars are demonstrated on almost all portions of the body and are too numerous to count.
- Extensive irregular scarring of the left side of the upper lip and most of the lower lip.
- Scarring of the eyebrows bilaterally.
- Scar on right cheek.
- Scar on left cheek.
- Left ear markedly deformed.
- Right ear extensively deformed and scarred.
- Scarring at the hairline.
- Scarring of the forehead.
- Superior frontal scalp scar.
- Numerous areas of top and back of head with well defined hyperand hypo-pigmented scars.
- Scars are present in the midline of the back.
- Scarring on lower portion of left buttock and upper portion of right thigh.
- Right side of the lower portion of chest are a number of curving and almost “U” shaped scars.
- Multiple scars about the knees and shins.
- Deformity of right arm.
- Multiple scars on right hand.
- Irregular scars are distributed on the left arm.”
As you can see, this is an extreme case, but real nonetheless. My personal opinion is that the kindest thing that ever happened to this young fellow was to die in the fire. A fire he set, incidentally. I wonder why?
The outcome of it all, after the boy and his brother were buried, was that the mother (a terrible use of the word) was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal conspiracy. A warrant charging the same offenses went out for her husband, the boy’s stepfather.
I must end this letter with the pronouncement that two of our fire marshals were instrumental in bringing this matter to light, conducting the investigation, building the case, and will gladly testify when the case comes to court. They did their jobs in the finest tradition of the fire service and with a perseverance unparalleled. Lieutenants Lou Gahagan and Joe O’Drain can take great pride in the fact that justice will be served only through their dedicated efforts.
William C. Richmond
Fire Commissioner
Philadelphia Fire Department
Philadelphia, PA
Correction of historical error
I just finished reading Frank Fire’s article on ammonium nitrate (FIRE ENGINEERING, September 1986). Being a fire science student and having recently completed a course in hazardous materials, including an extensive study of ammonium nitrate, I found this article very informative.
I must, however, point out a rather common historical error concerning the Texas City disaster. Contrary to the w’ay the story is told today, the explosion did not kill all of the members of the Texas City Fire Department. According to an article which appeared in FIRE ENGINEERING in May 1947, at the time of the explosion there were 47 members of the Texas City Fire Department, 27 of whom responded and were consequently killed. There were 20 members who survived. All four pieces of fire apparatus operated by the department were destroyed.
Bernard Boelema
Fire Science Student
Lansing Community College
Grand Rapids, Ml
Consider the maul
In line with FIRE ENGINEERING’S concerns on forcible entry, I just want to comment on a valuable but possibly overlooked forcible entry tool.
Although the axe and halligan are the accepted dynamic duo in most fire departments, the axe, after driving the halligan into the door, usually serves no other duty except as a wedge to hold the door for the forcible entry search team. Some may use the axe to cut flooring, but actually it is better to pull the ceiling below for access to void spaces and to check for fire extension. Cutting the floor is usually an overhauling function and the proper tools can then be called for.
Consider the maul as a forcible entry striking tool at an occupancy door with the halligan. It is slightly heavier than the axe, but this extra weight provides a more positive driving action while using shorter, more accurate and safer strokes. The shortened stroke guarantees greater accuracy as does the head of the maul which has a greater striking surface area. Also, there is no sharp axe blade to contend with.
Many doors do not even require driving in the halligan, as a simple heavy blow with the maul above or on the lock cylinder will force the door.
Usually, padlocks on door openings can also be easily forced with the hammerhead pick and the maul. The same results will not be attained using the axe and pick, duckbill lockbreaker, or point of the halligan, as the axe is just too light.
Bars on windows are also easily removed using the maul by striking at the horizontal bars at a point near where they are imbedded in the window frame. We then free the horizontal members and bend out the vertical bars. What appears to be a formidable operation is simplified. Not so with the lighter axe.
In the event that wall breaching is required to enter an occupancy, the maul is readily available. Breaching walls between occupancies in row frame dwellings or garden apartments is more easily accomplished using the maul than using any other tool except the power saw.
The maul has many other uses (such as breaching outside masonry or brick walls) which will become evident as experience is gained. Again, consider the maul for its speed, power, accuracy, and safety.
Joseph Williams
Lieutenant
New York City Fire Department
New York, NY
