9/11 Hero Tells Tale of Losses, Lessons
As the last fireman to escape 9/11’s World Trade Center devastation, ex-Chief Richard Picciotto has a unique perspective of what when right and wrong that tragic day. In an exclusive interview, SSI asks Picciotto how the electronic security industry can best aid firefighting efforts.
[IMAGE]12278[/IMAGE]Technology and Firefighting
As someone with more than a quarter-century of experience, how have you seen technology change and affect firefighting through the years?
Picciotto: I like technology. We have seen it change on both sides – for better and worse. It is a double-edged sword.
Buildings built today are more dangerous due to the use of lightweight trusses and new kinds of materials that may be structurally stronger but break down faster in a fire. The major reason the World Trade Center went down like it did was its design. The use of lightweight materials made the towers incapable of withstanding explosions.
The Empire State Building, for example, would have held up better due to its construction. In addition, it is designed so there are fewer occupants on the higher floors. In the World Trade Center, there were as many on the top as the bottom. Technology is great, but just because we can build a building 200 stories high, should we?
On the other hand, there are better fire safety plans and systems in place today. We can isolate the problem faster and find out temperatures in various places of a building, for example. That is great technology. Same thing with sprinkler systems — instead of just gushing a deluge of water, they can turn themselves on and off. This helps minimize property damage by keeping the fire in the incipient stage, allowing us to put it out.
How valuable to firefighters are systems designed and installed by security dealers and integrators, such as addressable fire alarm control panels and sprinklers?
Picciotto: As a former police office and fire chief, I know a lot of buildings are very security-conscious but not safety-conscious enough. They are really two separate functions that often seem to have opposing goals. For example, security is more concerned about regulating the flow of people in and out of buildings, whereas life safety is the opposite in that there must be free egress.
When we get on the scene, any information we have is helpful to us. I
f it is computerized and it can tell us what doors are locked, what floors are occupied, etc. … now that is of tremendous value. The more information we have, the better, even though we certainly do not need all of it. Of course, the occupants having a prefire plan in place as well as a sensible building layout is also very important.
Typically, we are in favor of sprinkler systems, but it depends on what they are trying to save. For example, computer components may require foam. The system has to be designed according to what the building owners or tenants are trying to prevent the loss of. The construction, occupants, building layout and materials present all play a part.
Suppliers Should Seek Feedback
How much direct interaction do firefighters typically have with electronic fire detection systems?
Picciotto: Unfortunately, a lot of times systems are in place where the people on site do not know the functions, operation or resetting procedures. It could be a multimillion-dollar site and no one knows anything about it! You might have a $5-an-hour person responsible for it! It is a major problem. Firefighters will try to reset the alarm, but are not always able.
They learn about these systems by going on a lot of calls. In addition, they will select specific buildings and run fire drills in which they find out all they can about a specific location. Sometimes, there have been fires afterward and drilling beforehand was very beneficial. We try to conduct the drills on weekends so as to not disrupt a business. There will usually be fire safety and security people present as well.
Do people ever ask for advice on system design or products?
Picciotto: When buildings are not up to code, we file reports. There are different codes depending on age of building. Some have to be upgraded and some do not. We refer those matters to our Fire Prevention department, which then looks into it. As for products, being New York City, we are not allowed to offer any information when people ask our advice. We cannot get into specifics.
Do you believe the manufacturers of electronic fire detection and life-safety products get enough feedback from firefighters?
Picciotto: I believe the industry should get more feedback from firefighters. The technology may be there, but knowing exactly what we want and where we want it is crucial. Ask us what we need! After all, we are the ones going in there to save people and structures.
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About the Author
Scott Goldfine
Scott Goldfine is the marketing director for Elite Interactive Solutions. He is the former editor-in-chief and associate publisher of Security Sales & Integration. He can be reached at [email protected].
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