Peabody, MASSACHUSETTS — Firefighter Steve Franzosa was working on the three-alarm blaze at the Essex Place apartment building at 36 Keys Drive when he stuck his head out a window asking for help. Several onlookers, fire officials from area departments, scrambled to move a nearby extension ladder to Franzosa’s window. The firefighter left the scene on a stretcher and was transported to Lahey Clinic. He was treated and released, Lahey spokesman Scott Hartman said yesterday. The fire, which started shortly after 1 p.m., smoldered in the walls and ceiling of the 12-apartment structure and proved difficult for firefighters to stamp out, said fire Capt. Jay Dowling.

What’s wrong with this picture?

Think about the need for a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT), the need to place ladders in order to facilitate firefighter’s means of egress, and the absolute need to maintain one’s face shield — the fact that it is off indicates malfunction that should have either been prevented (by an earlier exit) or by the equipment itself.

Categories: Fighting Fire, Proper Practices, Video
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