Following the death of three Baltimore firefighters this year in the collapse of a vacant home, a member of Baltimore City Council has proposed a bill creating restrictions on when firefighters can enter vacant buildings and requiring firefighters to wear body cameras.
The bill, introduced by Councilwoman Danielle McCray Tuesday evening, would bar city firefighters from entering vacant buildings if 25% or more of the structure has been consumed by fire. Additionally, firefighters could only enter a vacant building if the department âconfirmedâ an occupant was inside and âstructural and hazardous conditions permit a safe entry.â
Firefighters would be barred from entering a collapsed structure unless someoneâs life is in immediate danger, according to the proposed legislation. The bill also requires firefighters to be equipped with a recording device that collects audio and video to be used only at the scene of fires.
