Hank Investigates: Cause for Alarm

The alarms sound, every day, in every town.

In the next seconds, around the next corner, firefighters know they could face searing heat, choking smoke, or a person trapped.

When there's a triumph: we see them honored with medals--like the Chelsea Firefighter who saved a 9 year old from his burning home

When there's a tragedy, we see the whole state come to a halt in their honor.

But after most television cameras leave and the firefighters return to their stations, our statewide investigation found what most people don't see - firefighters forced to live and work in shocking conditions:

Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7 News
"If your house were like this would you be able to live there?"

Firefighter Matt Busch, Whitman Fire Dept.
"No, you wouldn't be able to, it would be unsafe."

We contacted every fire department in Massachusetts and discovered serious health and safety hazards that threaten thousands of firefighters every day.

Chief Louis Addonizio, Chelsea Fire Dept.
"These are our electrical circuits."

Chief Louis Addonizio
"We would not allow this type of wiring to exist in a home or business because it creates a fire hazard, quite honestly."

In other parts of the station firefighters battle huge roaches. Upstairs in their bedrooms, walls are splattered with the remains of a continuing mosquito infestation.

Lt. Richard Wilcox, Chelsea Fire Dept.
"You wake up in the morning and you may have a dozen bites around your wrist and your forehead."

Chief Seth A. Knipe, Hubbardston Fire Dept.
"Someone could have gotten electrocuted."

In all, a full two thirds of fire chiefs we talked to say their stations urgently need repair or replacement.

Lt. Robert Hober, Whitman Fire Dept.
"This building? It's dangerous, very dangerous."

Chief Seth A. Knipe
"If it comes crashing down, no telling what would happen. If the whole station would come collapsing down or not, i don't want to be around to find out."

Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7 News
"Why is that bad?"

Lt. Robert Hober
"Its bad because they are a known carcinogen we shouldn't be breathing."

Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7 News
"So are your firefighters living in healthy conditions?"

Lt. Robert Hober
"No."

And upstairs where firefighters sleep: they worry about fire code violations in their own station! It has no sprinklers and only one way out.

Lt. Robert Hober
"If we have a problem and we cant get down that one set of stairs, then we cant get out."

Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7 News
"You're trapped?"

Lt. Robert Hober
"We're trapped, precisely."

Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7 News
"Is that legal?"

Lt. Robert Hober
"Not by any means."

How can this be? Money for headquarters and equipment comes from local governments. We obtained these letters from dozens of fire officials, all pleading with their towns for more money. Those pleas however are often rejected, leaving fire department not only with unsafe buildings - but we found - with equipment that's aging and unreliable.

Chief Kenneth Erickson, Walpole Fire Dept.
"The system is not working, the system is not working."

In Walpole, this tanker truck is 35 years old, and died on the job, leaving firefighters without water.

In Winchendon, this truck broke down time after time. It was replaced only after a firefighter cut off his finger off trying to fix it.

In Brookfield, firefighters are forced to drive this antiquated truck with no top!

Chief Peter Martell, Brookfield Fire Dept.
"It's miserable."

In rain or snow, firefighters answering an alarm could be blinded, and easily lose control.

Chief Peter Martell
"It's only a matter of time before it becomes an issue, something will happen and everyone will look at us and say why didn't you tell us!"

Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7 News
"Do you ever wonder what it'll take to get things to change?"

Chief Peter Martell
"Oh I know what it'll take. It'll take a disaster. It'll take a disaster."

And there's much more to this story. Firefighters actually worry in an emergency they won't be able to get to you in time. How can that happen? Our investigation also uncovered conditions in Massachusetts fire departments that are putting your life at risk. "Cause for Alarm" continues tomorrow at 11.