The St. Louis Fire Department is creating a software database that will track the condition of vacant buildings. Thousands of vacant buildings lie in the city, and they often pose a threat to firefighters.
But assembling the information for a database is a process.
While the program has been in the works for years, recent events pushed it to the forefront after vacant building fire claimed the life of St. Louis firefighter Benjamin Polson, 33.
On Jan. 13, Polson was killed when the roof of a vacant building collapsed on him. Another firefighter was injured.
Fire officials would like to arm their first responders with information while theyâre still in the safety of the firetruck. The vacant building database will have information first responders can use when theyâre deciding whether fighting a fire in a vacant building â when no oneâs life is at stake â is worth the risk.
