FDNY Can't Pass Buck
To the Editor:

Last Aug. 18, following the Deutsche Bank fire where two Firefighters were killed, we saw pictures of a dismantled standpipe in a toxin-bloated building, with stairwells removed, exits sealed and black smoke filling every crevice.

It was known prior to that day that the Deutsche Bank building had not been inspected — perhaps for a year or more. The Fire Commissioner had the power to mandate that this building be inspected, because of accidents occurring on the site, community complaints, and warnings from within the department. Sadly, nothing was done and the ultimate tragedy happened — Firefighters Robert Beddia and Joseph Graffagnino were trapped and died.

I'm a senior. Years ago there was a picture in the newspaper of then-President Harry S. Truman in the Oval Office pointing to the sign on the wall reading, "The Buck Stops Here."

The Fire Commissioner is appointed by the Mayor. I hope the next Fire Commissioner will have the experience and knowledge of the Fire Department to lead. Much will be expected of him, as it has always been of the FDNY to go into burning buildings or infernos like 9/11 at Ground Zero.

Bless all our firefighters. BESS KACHULIS