Posted by bjp99 on June 18, 2008 at 1:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Today, regardless of how we feel, is a day to remember these guys, to honor them and to pray for their families and all the firefighters involved that night...

Posted by Thomas1776 on June 18, 2008 at 1:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I forgive you Rusty. But I can never forget.

Posted by Reader on June 18, 2008 at 3:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I was at the City Council meeting, and I was shocked that the City would chose the evening of the City's worst fire disaster to give Rusty Thomas a special recognition. No one even mentioned the Sofa Super Store fire at all. Not one word was spoken about that by either the Mayor or Thomas. If you were not aware of the circumstances, you would have thought Rusty was just deciding to retire after a long time on the job. The standing ovation was almost impossible to believe.

Yes, today is a day to remember the firemen who died - who died in large part because of Rusty Thomas. To sweep them under the rug while heaping praise on Rusty Thomas was sickening.

I'm not interested in reopening the posting war about Thomas and Riley and everything else. My point is just this: It was grossly poor taste to have a celebration of Thomas on the eve of the one year anniversary. Even if he deserved some sort of gold watch or something, couldn't that have waited until the end of the month when he finally quits instead of ghoulishly doubling up on the anniversary of the deaths of his men?

Posted by Thomas1776 on June 18, 2008 at 4:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

My my. Reader sure is angry.

Posted by moonpie on June 18, 2008 at 6:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Bronze monument with an asterisk? He said he gave his best every day and no one can deny that but sometimes you got to wonder if your best is what's best? Sounds like he ruled the dept with the last word on everything. So reap the awards and the blame sir.
I suggest you move to the little town your police chief moved to and together you can retire in peace.

Posted by ColdBeer on June 18, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Rusty Thomas was promoted far beyond his own abilities. It’s common for this type of thing to happen, especially when a good ol boy network is as strong as it is in the low country. I've never met the man, but from what I hear he's a great guy. I've worked with many great guys that couldn't do their jobs. The sad thing, in this case, is that it cost the lives of 9 men. Now we have the mayor responsible for leaving an incompetent man in place headlining a memorial to the lives he cost. This whole thing is sad and embarrassing.

Posted by charlestonpride on June 18, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thomas undecided on what future holds......WHO CARES!!!

Posted by masmith53 on June 18, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The only thought that keeps running through my mind is this...at least he has a future. There are nine who's future ended a year ago today.

Posted by beth1070 on June 18, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

My thoughts and prayers are still with the families of the 9, as they have been for the last year.

Posted by bigwhip on June 18, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

1776, you are sick!! Does anyone out there believe that Rusty is pleased with this tragedy? My bet is that he has a heavy heart and has a burden that he will carry for the rest of his days. Further, there are quite a few more that have blame in this horrific happening.

Posted by Charles_Town on June 18, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

There is a phrase that most people "get promoted to their level of incompetence". I have no like for this guy whatsoever. While not at the meeting like Reader, have to admit the timing seems rather morbid. Personally I am sick of this being news. The loss of these brave firefighters is something that should be remember, but how may memorials, articles, events, lawsuits, reports, investigations does this event warrant. These men died doing their job, not really different than anyone dying on theirs. If I died on mine or you on yours haw many people will memorialize your contribution to society, raise a lot to many to support your family? Don't get me wrong I appreciate all the efforts of honest, hard working, public servants, but all the services, the memorials, biking fundraiser from Florida, the park are not really needed. Maybe I am tarnished by the frivolous lawsuits. Can we memorialize every place where a firefighter, police officer, or American soldier has fallen? The Pentagon, rebuilt the part destroyed, Ground Zero is being built upon again, why can we not have an adequate single memorial, rebuild and move on?

Posted by a_set_love on June 18, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Mr. Riley, we will not forget what you did to those 9 poor men nor the damage you have done "to" the City of Charleston.

Posted by oldglory on June 18, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The timing of the recognition of Mr. Thomas' retirement (not until June 27) was horrible. This couldn't have waited until next week? Doesn't anyone advise the mayor as to how things might appear if improperly timed? Well perhaps they advise, but he refuses to listen. Who knows.

Posted by Satanssybil2007 on June 18, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow all this negativity towards Rusty! i wonder how many of these posters so far are natives of Charleston! I am and have know Rusty throught the majority of his career! There are tragedies in all kinds of work and fire fighting is one of the more dangerous ones. I have been here my whole life, have never lived anywhere else BUT Charlesotn. Nothing like this has ever happened in ALL of Rusty's tenure as Chief. He has been a model leader throughout his career! There have been industrial explosions in Charleston where he lead his men into and safely out of fires much larger than the sofa super store fire! This tragedy, there is no one single phrase or word to describe his pain and the burden he has each day with what happened to his fire fighters. Rusty, thank you for your 32 years of service and enjoy your retirement as you so rightly deserve! God speed to the families of the fallen 9!

Posted by ColdBeer on June 18, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You're 100% correct Satanssybil. How stupid of us not to realize that only people born and raised in Charleston can recognize triumph and failure.

Not.

Get over yourself. You didn't have to be born in the city limits to see that the department was not properly trained or prepared to fight this fire and, as a result, lives were lost. Rusty is directly to blame for those issues.

Fortunately, the public (a lot of that public NOT born and raised in Charleston) was finally able to put enough pressure on Riley so that he forced Thomas to step down. You know Riley wouldn’t let Thomas stick around if it could possibly damage his own career. Riley threw him under a bus in a hurry when he figured that one out. Another fortunate thing is that the damage is already done as far as Riley’s career is concerned. I may be wrong, but I feel pretty certain this is his last term, one way or another.

Posted by dreyn on June 18, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"These men died doing their job, not really different than anyone dying on theirs."

Sometimes statements are so silly they don't deserve a reply but this one just begs an answer. There are many, many dangerous jobs out there and the thing that makes them different from the SSS fiasco is that EVERY precaution and every safety measure is usually provided to those doing the hazardous work. Coal miners, policemen, high steel workers, military people, et al. Rusty Thomas did not provide his people with any of the safety precautions required and according to the report and statements made by personnel in his department, took sort of an obscene pride in the fact that they just rushed in and fought blazes with reckless abandon. Yes, he got away with it for a number of years but it was only a matter of time. Thomas comes across as a cliche of every 'good ole boy' supervisor who's ever led men. He just makes me so angry because he doesn't have the decency to recognise his failures. But then, he was supported by Riley for so many years he probably does believe he is a competent human being. Nine mens lives are a terrible price to learn lessons on-maybe if Rusty had picked up a book somewhere in those 32 years he's so proud of. I'm sure if Riley had managed to have gotten that report quashed, Rusty would still be in charge. He is too ignorant to step down and so is Riley. I sincerely hope that it is not over for Riley either.

(It doesn't matter, but I was born on Calhoun St. in the old St. Francis. Does my opinion count, now?)

Posted by Charles_Town on June 18, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dreyn, You are right, I guess it is different because they went into a burning building before additional information could have been established that could have prevented their death. Glad to see Rusty go. I was in an area where several people were criticizing the actions of Rusty (rightly so in my book); but when Rusty showed up I was amazed at how many of those same people rushed to shake his hand, maybe it was all the television cameras around at the time.

Posted by Satanssybil2007 on June 18, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

cold beer you stupid ass i meant those who moved here from other states!!!!!!!! get a grip on your self and no honey i wont get over myself!!! look at my log in name which one am i satan or sybil. i dont have to get over my self!!!

Posted by Reader on June 18, 2008 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Satanssybil2007 wrote, "cold beer you stupid ass i meant those who moved here from other states!!!!!!!! get a grip on your self and no honey i wont get over myself!!! look at my log in name which one am i satan or sybil. i dont have to get over my self!!!"

Let me stick up for ColdBeer. First, that is not what you wrote. Second, how does being a native South Carolinian make a person any better equiped to evaluate Rusty Thomas' performance than someone who moved here from Nebraska or Georgia? ColdBeer's point - which is correct - is that one's place of birth does not have anything in the world to do with the matter.

Posted by bravecharleston9myspace on June 18, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

THIS DAY NEEDS TO STAY ABOUT THE ONES WHO DIED....

AM I RIGHT?

never forgetting our fallen 9 brothers...and the last moments of their lives. :O(
missy

Posted by ColdBeer on June 18, 2008 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm sorry Satanssybil2007. I had no idea I was trying to reason with someone that, well.. obviously can't reason. As for calling me "honey"... in your dreams... in your dreams :)

Obviously I made a mistake telling you to "get over yourself"... it should have read "get over yourselves" right?

Have a nice night :)

Posted by MrCharlie on June 18, 2008 at 11:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As one whose department suffered a Line of Duty Death, I truly know the pain and understand the frustration that Charleston Firefighters are dealing with. That being said, looking from the outside in. One must question where the leaders of the City of Charleston have been for so many years. I find it hard to believe that not one member of the City Council had a clue as to the true state of affairs the Charleston Fire Department was in. That they never saw a news clip or drove past a neighboring fire departments engine company that was using large diameter hose laid in from a hydrant.

The finger is being pointed at Chief Thomas, and yes, in the fire service it’s true when you pin on the Chief’s badge, you take total responsible for your department. However Chief Thomas had someone or in this case “several someone’s” that he reported too. Those who served on the Charleston City Council past and present are partly to blame for what happened in Charleston. Whatever the true condition of the Charleston Fire Department is, it didn’t get in that condition over night or because of one fire, NOW DID IT.

The best way to remember and honor “The Charleston 9” is simple.
1. Never forget those who gave all
2. Question the past and build on the answers
3. Plan for the future and follow that Plan
4. Promise yourself and your family “You’ll Come Home After Every Shift”

Posted by THISMUSTSTOP on June 19, 2008 at 12:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

One bad fire??? All his fires were run the same way.

You can drive fast and reckless while not wearing a seatbelt for many many years, but one day you'll crash and die! 06-18-07 was the day Rusty crashed. The fire department dodged a bullet for many years. Just read the report from Routley if you don't believe me. If you can't read, then have someone you trust read it to you. It will open your eyes!