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]12279[/IMAGE]Fire Alarms Seen as Essential
Do you believe the general public is becoming more aware of fire and life-safety precautions?
Picciotto: Yes and no. Carbon monoxide detectors are becoming very popular and we are going out on a lot of them. We get a lot of erroneous calls, but some true ones as well. I believe the people are becoming more and more aware. Builders are finding the cost of CO detectors compared to the potential loss is beneficial. Plus there is usually some sort of tax rebate based on the fire safety built in to a building. We are also seeing a huge increase in sprinklers, including residences, even though they are not required.
However, the general public is under informed regarding fire safety procedures, especially in high-rise buildings. There is not a lot of knowledge to know, but when you need it, it can change or save your life. Every once in a while, a group of people does the wrong thing, like going to the roof, and it is very frustrating. Better education could help. People need to consider actions where the odds are in their favor for survival.
After 9/11, congressmen were advocating helicopter rescues from high-rise buildings; it just is not going to happen. Too many people talk out of ignorance without knowing what they are saying.
False alarms are a huge issue with burglar alarms as many police agencies look at verified response. With more and more detection devices being deployed, could we see similar response issues with fire alarms, especially considering some areas, such as Las Vegas, already require verification for fire alarms?
Picciotto: We will endorse anything that can help us diminish the effects of fire, be it alarms, CCTV cameras, sprinklers; they all can definitely help us. While it is true that we do have a huge increase in false alarms, it is an annoyance that comes with the territory. I hope there is never a day when we do not respond to fire alarms. There may be fines involved, but I think we will always respond.
As far as I am concerned, the more alarms systems, even if they are redundant, the better. As a fire person, I want to know when any alarm is triggered for whatever reason as soon as possible. I would rather have the systems out there in place than have doubt about missing a legitimate call.
Chief Decides to Spread His Story
What made you decide to write the book?
Picciotto: I was going to a lot of funerals and visiting a lot of firehouses. People wanted to know what happened at Ground Zero and I found myself constantly sharing my experience. Those people then encouraged me to spread the word. I thought about it and wrote memories of what had taken place. That translated into the book, which presents my first-person account and has gotten a tremendously positive response.
What inspired you to get into law enforcement and firefighting in the first place?
Picciotto: I grew up in a blue-collar, middle-class area and saw a lot of police and firefighters. I really enjoy helping people and this is a job that provides immediate gratification. To me, it has been very rewarding.
As a speaker, what venues are you most often asked to address?
Picciotto: Schools, risk management people and assorted others. I try to give them a personal perspective and share the lessons learned.
What do you typically cover in your speaking engagements?
Picciotto: I talk about my experience, what I went through and the lessons learned. It was a terrible day in history, but it also brought out some of the best qualities in people with how Americans banded together, especially the fire and police departments and other security forces. Everyone tried to help each other.
I also talk a little bit about the fire and life-safety equipment that was in place at the World Trade Center and what should have been there.
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About the Author
Scott Goldfine, Contributing Editor
Scott Goldfine is Marketing Director with Elite Interactive Solutions, Inc. Prior to joining Elite, he served as Security Sales & Integration’s chief editor for about 25 years.
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