By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Eighteen years ago, three New York firefighters were killed on a day that would come to be known as "Black Sunday." Trapped on the top floor of an apartment building, those three firefighters and several more were forced to jump. One of those firefighters, Joseph DiBernardo, was able to use a rope to save himself and another firefighter, though both were critically injured.
After recovering, DiBernardo and other survivors initiated a campaign to ensure all FDNY firefighters were issued safety ropes. That campaign turned into a memorial foundation to provide safety gear to firefighters all around the nation. Russell Fire Chief Dylan Riedel said his department recently received $11,830 for the purchase of 26 life safety systems.
"In the event a firefighter would be trapped on a second floor, and in the event there wouldn't be a ladder readily available, they hook to a window seal and attach to the firefighter's bunker gear," Riedel said. "They're able to lower themselves down out of the window within probably 30 seconds of setup."
Central Kansas is not exactly a hub of high-rise buildings, but Riedel said the systems will still be useful on most calls in the city. "Most of the houses in Russell are 2-story houses," he said. "A pretty good area of our response area is multiple-story houses."
Russell Fire currently employs 21 firefighters. The purchase of 26 life safety systems allows Riedel to outfit each of his current firefighters, plus any new hires in the future.