The families of nine firefighters killed in a furniture store fire are set to receive $700,000 each in donations and workers’ compensation payments.
Relatives could also receive a federal death benefit that could put compensation over $1 million.
The firefighters were killed in a June 18 fire at the Sofa Super Store, the nation’s greatest single loss of firefighters since the 2001 terror attacks at the World Trade Center.
To curb costs related to the fire, the city announced a hiring and travel freeze, where no new full-time workers will be hired, except for police and firefighters, without approval from either the city’s chief financial officer or Mayor Joe Riley. The only travel allowed will be for training for a worker to get certified for a job.
The City Council also has approved withdrawing $300,000 from an $18 million reserve fund set up to help respond to a hurricane or other disaster.
The city has made $1.2 million in workers’ compensation payments. In addition to that compensation, the city plans to increase the number of fire department workers, has hired grief counselors and hired a group of fire experts to study fire department operations.
“While all of this stuff is in play, we’re going to slow things down and generate some savings that will give us a little cushion,” said Steve Bedard, the city’s chief financial officer.
The fire has also renewed debate over the polyester fabric used for Charleston firefighters’ uniforms.
“They can liquefy and melt into the skin,” said Jeffrey Stull, president of International Personnel Protection, an Austin, Texas, company that advises the National Fire Protection Association.
Most fire departments use 100 percent cotton. The fabric of the Charleston uniforms was debated in the mayoral race four years ago.
Local fire officials say the fabric is not an issue because firefighters must wear protective gear over their uniforms at fires.
Officials still have not announced a cause for the blaze, although authorities have said the fire began in a loading dock area. Employees have said workers took cigarette breaks in that area.
Local and state police agencies, as well as the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are investigating the fire.
Information from: The Post and Courier,
http://www.charleston.net
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