Baltimore City Wire

Mayor Brandon M. Scott released the following statement in response to the Board of Inquiry (BOI) report released today in the wake of the fatal Jan. 24 fire in the 200 block of S. Stricker Street that claimed the lives of three Baltimore City Fire Department firefighters and seriously injured another.

"This afternoon the Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD) released its internal Board of Inquiry report related to the Line of Duty Deaths of Lieutenant Paul Butrim, Lieutenant Kelsey Sadler, and EMT/Firefighter Kenny Lacayo.

There are no words or actions that will fill the void or ease the pain felt by the family, loved ones and colleagues of these three heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the people of Baltimore.

I would like to thank the 10 individuals who served on the Board of Inquiry, a board composed of personnel from the Baltimore City Fire Department, Prince George's County Fire and EMS, District of Columbia Fire and EMS, and the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services. The report outlines the events that occurred on January 24, 2022, along with findings and recommendations that will be implemented to ensure that a tragedy like this will never happen again. My administration will immediately establish an accountability program to ensure that these recommendations are properly implemented and that we have a department that is not only committed to protecting and saving the lives of our residents, but is equally committed to carrying out this work in a manner that also safeguards the lives of those men and women who selflessly serve others on a daily basis.

In order to position BCFD for the necessary changes that are upon us, I have decided to accept the resignation of Chief Niles Ford effective immediately. I would like to thank Mr. Ford for his eight years of service leading the City's Fire Department.

With today's change in leadership, my administration will appoint a group of BCFD commanders to serve as Acting Fire Chief on an interim basis. Assistant Chief Charles Svehla, Assistant Chief Chris Caisse, and Assistant Chief Dante Stewart will each have the opportunity to serve as Acting Fire Chief for a designated time period as we conduct a search to identify a permanent leader."

Original source can be found here.