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Firefighters don't deserve guilt
(by Dave Lange - June 11, 2009)
COUNTY LINE, BY DAVE LANGE
Firefighters don't deserve guilt
Many years ago, when my father was a young man and I was a small child, I remember the pride I felt when he wore the jacket identifying him as a volunteer fireman with the Hilltop Hose Co., of Natrona Heights, Pa.
On Dec. 20, 1991, Hilltop Hose Co. made national news when four of its volunteers were trapped by a partial floor collapse during a structure fire in a two-story building in nearby Brackenridge, Pa., the little town where my dad grew up. Those four firefighters ranged in age from 23 to 31 when they died doing what firefighters do -- putting their lives on the line for others.
My father-in-law, who retired as deputy chief for the East Cleveland Fire Department, put his life on the line often during his career. I've heard stories about lives he saved, including a tiny child whose miraculous resuscitation was reported by the news media. I've heard stories about the lives he couldn't save, including two young children found huddled together in a dying embrace after flames tore through their apartment bedroom. And I remember my father-in-law's long road to recovery after a plunge from a burning roof shattered both of his arms.
You could say I have a certain partiality toward firefighters. I like to think I have a partiality toward people whose calling is to save lives.
On May 30, 2008, a terrible tragedy struck an Auburn Township family, when the father, Bruce Haas, then 49, became disoriented by fumes while preparing to clean out a fuel-storage tank at Ullman Oil Inc. on Washington Street. His sons, Paul, 19, and Timothy Haas, 17, who were there to assist with the job, sprang into action to save their father.
A 911 call brought the Auburn Fire Department to the scene, and mutual-aid calls brought responses from 20 other departments, including the neighboring Bainbridge Fire Department. With Auburn Fire Chief John Phillips out of town and not immediately available, Bainbridge Chief Brian Phan was called upon to serve as incident commander.
Assisted by an Auburn firefighter, Bruce Haas was able to escape through the small opening of the fuel tank, but his sons were overcome by fumes and trapped inside. The Chagrin Southeast and Geauga County hazardous materials teams arrived, and rescuers worked feverishly for nearly four hours to extricate Paul and Timothy Haas from the tank. They put themselves in danger from the noxious gases, corrosive properties of the residue in the tank and fire and explosive hazards.
When the brothers finally were brought from the tank, it was too late for Timothy, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Paul, who was listed in critical condition at the Metrohealth Medical Center burn unit in Cleveland, eventually recovered.
Bruce Haas was treated and released, but it's hard to imagine any father ever recovering from the weight thrust upon his shoulders by the loss of a son who had gone to his rescue.
The family mourned. The community commiserated. Firefighters, who give their all to snatch the lives of fellow human beings from the clutches of death, lose enough sleep at night when their efforts fall short.
Guilt is a heavy load to bear. It is not lightened by Mr. Haas' inelegant attempt before Bainbridge Township Trustees last week to shift the burden onto the brave people who put their hearts and souls into rescuing him and his sons from such a grievous predicament.
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