Dekalb Company 24

June 13, 2006 - LODD
Firefighter III Bill Craddock, 37
DeKalb County Fire Department. GA
Prior to reporting for duty at 1800hrs on May 3, 2006, Firefighter Craddock conducted and participated in an 8-hour live-fire training exercise. Just after midnight on May 4, 2006, Firefighter Craddock and members of his fire department were dispatched to a residential structure fire. Firefighter Craddock was assigned to a heavy rescue company. As firefighters arrived on the scene, they found a working fire in a tri-level residence. Firefighter Craddock and his crew advanced an attack line into the structure to engage the fire. The crew breached walls to apply water to the fire and to check for fire spread. Firefighter Craddock's low air alarm began to sound and he exited the structure. When Firefighter Craddock emerged from the structure, he and other firefighters removed his protective clothing and his SCBA. Firefighter Craddock's company officer noticed that Firefighter Craddock did not look well and had him evaluated by paramedics. Despite an improvement in his condition during treatment, a command officer ordered Firefighter Craddock to be transported to the hospital for evaluation. Upon his arrival at the hospital, he began to exhibit signs of a heart attack. His condition worsened and progressively more aggressive life-saving measures were used. Firefighter Craddock was transferred by ambulance to a regional care facility. His condition worsened during the transport. Firefighter Craddock survived his heart attack but remained in critical condition for 39 days. He suffered a number of complications and was removed from life support on June 13, 2006. He died shortly thereafter.
Over the years of his career he became a well known state and international instructor. In 2000 he started the Georgia Chapter of FOOLS (Fraternal Order Of Leatherheads Society). Bill was known for being an 'old school' fire fighter. He always wore his leather helmet in every fire and never deviated from that. He lived by 'old school' rules and the survival of brotherhood. It was his passion to make sure everyone came home. With that passion he developed a class that Dekalb County is now teaching to each and every fire fighter.

Heavy Rescue 24 provided top side vent on this single family dwelling fire today in the 3rd battalion.

Heavy rescue 24 provided topside ventilation on this 3rd battalion blower this morning.

Simultaneous fires in the 4th Battalion this afternoon.

This afternoon, while taking up from a report of a fire in the first due, Heavy Rescue 24 took in an apartment fire in Lithonia. First due companies arrived to find fire blowing out the front door of a two story flat roof apartment building. Upon the arrival of Heavy 24, the company was ordered to do topside ventilation. The members put multiple saws and axes in-service, opening up for companies below extinguishing fire on the 1st and 2nd floors, as well as the cockloft.

While companies were in the midst of a firefight, just a mile away, Engine 25 requested the full alarm for a grass fire extending to a public storage building. Quint 24 was summoned as the first due truck company. Quint 24 cut several roll up doors, exposing fire in multiple units. Heavy 24 cleared the fire up the road and responded in to assist companies.

Great work by companies countywide, battling multiple fires in the summer heat. Rest up, the night is young.
* while making this post the Heavy Rescue is on their fourth worker of the shift*

Back to back first due fires, with a victim rescued for the members at 4154 Redan Road.

Shortly after the clock struck midnight, the company arrived first due on a dwelling fire off of Shadow Rock Drive. Heavy Rescue 24 conducted searches throughout, which proved to be negative while Quint 24 advanced a line to the seat of the fire.

While the company returned to quarters, both Heavy Rescue 24 and Quint 24 were alerted to a motor vehicle accident with a person trapped in Engine 13’s immediate. The company arrived, did a side wall blow out.

The members were only in the firehouse a half hour after returning from the pin job, when the bells sounded summoning the members for another dwelling fire. The Company arrived to find a split foyer home, with a well advanced fire on both floors and bystanders reporting people trapped inside. Heavy Rescue 24 began Vent-Enter-Search operations over ladders while Quint 24 simultaneously pushed through the front door to protect the members entering above. Heavy Rescue 24 and Truck 23 located and removed one victim from the second floor.

Our commitment to the community we serve is immeasurable. We strive day in and day out, to provide the best service to unpredictably, bad situations. Our thoughts are with the families involved and we hope for a speedy recovery.

We are so very proud to serve the citizens and visitors of Dekalb County, Georgia.