Featured Presentation 2009

The Charleston Sofa Super Store Fire Report

J. Gordon Routley, Division Chief, Montreal Fire Department
Thursday, October 29 at 9:30 AM

Nine firefighters lost their lives in the tragic Charleston Sofa Super Store fire on June 18, 2007. Chief Routley, Project Team Leader of the Charleston Post-Incident Assessment and Enhancement Review Task Force, will discuss what went wrong and why. Get the details first hand from someone who knows about the investigation and firmly believes that proper training and education can be lifesaving.

Plus, we'll take a look at the question: What can be done to help save lives and reduce injuries? Each year approximately 100 firefighters lose their lives while on duty; another 80,000 receive injuries. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation created an outstanding message with FDNY to share with EVERY member of their department. And now we'll share it with you. Don't miss what top industry experts have to say; it could save your life!

About the speaker:

J. Gordon Routley, Division Chief, Montreal Fire Department, is a fire protection engineer who provides consulting services to fire departments and related organizations in the US and Canada. He previously served as fire chief in Shreveport, LA; assistant to the fire chief in Phoenix, AZ; and fire department safety officer in Prince George's County, MD. He is the retired project leader for the City of Charleston Fire Assessment and Review Team and has conducted more than 30 firefighter fatality investigations. In addition, he works with the NFFF on the Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives Project and is a member of the board of directors of the Safety, Health, and Survival Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.