NEWS STORY (Circulation Under 100,000)

FIRST PLACE: “Trapped: The Story of Nine Charleston Firefighters' Deaths”

This narrative two-page story examines the crucial first hour of the June 18 Sofa Super Store fire that claimed the lives of nine fire fighters. The building had no sprinklers. The fire started at 7:00 p.m. By midnight, all nine fatalities were known.

The Charleston Post & Courier
Written by: Glenn Smith and Ron Menchaca
Submitted by: Charleston, SC Local  61

SECOND PLACE: “Firefighters Union Chief Says Staffing Is Too Low for City”

Would a fatality have been averted if the Wilkes-Barre Fire Department had been at full strength? This article probes the alternatives for getting to a realistic minimum staffing level.

Citizens Voice
Written by: Denise Allabaugh
Submitted by: Wilkes-Barre, PA Local 104

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

“Heroes Lives on the Line”

"With fire after fire, some wonder how York's fire department will hold up," reads the kicker on this front-page article. By early April, the city's fire and rescue services had called in off-duty fire fighters eight times.

York (Daily Record) Sunday News
Written by: Ted Czech
Submitted by: York, PA Local 627
 

“Any Given Sunday”

At FedEx Field, home to the Washington Redskins, paramedics also suit up -- on call to assist with patrons, employees, players and officials. "Although the role of a field paramedic may initially appear glamorous, it tests the physical and mental endurance of the assigned providers."

Journal of Emergency Medical Services
Written by: Mark E. Brady
Submitted by: Prince George's County, MD Local 1619
 

“Within Inches”

A routine gas leak in a house turned into something more for four Canby fire fighters. Three were blown out of the garage; another was trapped under the collapsed garage ceiling. Miraculously, all survived.

Canby Herald
Submitted by: Clackamas County, OR Local 1159

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