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Wednesday, June 01, 2011

ALCO: SAR teams watch man drown due to policy...

Rescuers watch suicidal man kill self in SF Bay

"Handcuffed by policy" as firefighters forbidden from trying to save 50-year-old in 54-degree water


SAN FRANCISCO - Fire crews and police could only watch after a man waded into San Francisco Bay, stood up to his neck and waited. They wanted to do something, but a policy brought about by budget cuts strictly forbade them from trying to save the 50-year-old, officials said.

The apparently suicidal man, identified in the San Jose Mercury News as Raymond Zack, was in the 54-degree water for around an hour.

One witness, Sharon Brunetti, told the Mercury News that Zack's stepmother asked her to call 911 and said he was threatening to kill himself.

He "gradually inched our farther and farther" from the shore, Brunetti told the paper.

"The next thing he was floating face down," she said.

A witness finally pulled his lifeless body from the water.

Interim Alameda Fire Chief Mike D'Orazi said Monday's incident is troubling. He has directed staff to write a new policy that would allow water rescues in the city of about 75,000 people across the bay from San Francisco.

The previous policy was implemented after budget cuts forced the department to discontinue water rescue training and stop maintaining wetsuits and other rescue gear, D'Orazi said Tuesday.

"The incident yesterday was deeply regrettable," he said. "But I can also see it from our firefighters' perspective. They're standing there wanting to do, SAR, Cold Water Rescue something, but they are handcuffed by policy at that point."

A witness, Perry Smith, told a television station the man was visible from the shore of Crown Memorial State Beach and was looking at people.

"We expected to see at some point that there would be a concern for him," another witness, Gary Barlow, told KGO-TV.

The Coast Guard was called to the scene, but the water was too shallow for a boat, Alameda police Lt. Sean Lynch said. Police officers didn't have the gear for the cold water and couldn't risk being pulled under.

"Certainly this was tragic, but police officers are tasked with ensuring public safety, including the safety of personnel who are sent to try to resolve these kinds of situations," Lynch said.

D'Orazi said crews may have decided it was too risky to attempt the rescue, even if they had not been shackled by the restrictions on water rescues.

In addition to the new policy, Alameda fire personnel will receive training in water rescues, and rescue equipment will be inspected to make sure it is not damaged, D'Orazi said.

There are no lifeguards at the beach, said Isa Polt-Jones, a spokeswoman with the East Bay Regional Park District. Signs at the park advise swimmers to enter the water at their own risk.
Source: http://www.cbsnews.com  Link

Limited edition 10th anniversary 9/11 tribute painting "Twin Towers"

Order 9/11 Tribute Painting & Support CA Fire Foundation
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Get your limited edition 10th anniversary 9/11 tribute painting "Twin Towers" by retired Santa Clara City firefighter Frank Walsh.
In Walsh's painting, the firefighter and police officer are shown standing together, where the World Trade Center once stood.
"For the families of the 343 FDNY firefighters, 37 PAPD and 23 NYPD police officers, this was a most tragic day but for these men and women it was their finest hour," said Walsh. "To serve and protect is what they do and sometimes they make the ultimate sacrifice for their fellow man. This was never more exemplified then on September 11, 2001."
To honor their sacrifice, Walsh painted each of their names in the smoke. The 343 on firefighter's helmet shield represents the number of firefighters lost.
All proceeds benefit the California Fire Foundation.
Canvas Giclee 20"x30": Time limited through September 11, 2011. Signed and numbered by artist. $343 each.
Lithograph: Limited to 1,000 editions or through September 11, 2011, whichever comes first. Signed and numbered by artist. $75 each
Poster: Unlimited. $25 each.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AN ORDER FORM.

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