More than a week has passed since the riots in Baltimore, and it's time to take measure of what occurred. As a member of the Baltimore City Fire Department and president of the Baltimore Fire Officers Local 964, I'm in awe of the job the men and women of the BCFD did during these extremely volatile times.
Our folks, along with firefighters from surrounding jurisdictions, were assaulted, accosted and had their lives placed in extreme danger by those who chose to loot, burn and tear apart the city that we swore an oath to serve.
We also witnessed individuals damaging our equipment while we attempted to protect the citizens of Baltimore and their property. And when the worst seemed to be over, some of our folks returned to their firehouse after fighting fires throughout the city only to find personal property damage to their vehicles.
Words are not enough thanks to the men and women who served with professionalism and a call to duty that transcends what they are called to do daily.
I wish I could say the same about Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Throughout the crisis that took center stage in the national and international media, our mayor displayed on numerous occasions that she simply wasn't up to the task.
From the beginning she was slow to request assistance and when confronted with thugs, punks and criminals roaming the streets she was willing to give them "space," which not only put our folks in danger but also the police officers, business owners and citizens who lived in the affected areas.
While firefighters and police were attacked with rocks, bottles and other objects meant to cause serious injury, word spread that the mayor had ordered police to stand down and retreat if necessary instead of confronting the lawbreakers.
When this was brought to light the mayor chose to retreat as well and not respond to the numerous questions concerning her actions. Instead she decided to meet with the Rev. Al Sharpton.
At a press conference, Ms. Rawlings-Blake decided it was better to play the race card with Mr. Sharpton acting as her surrogate big brother and speak of "three black women at three levels not getting justice and healing for this community."
By allowing Mr. Sharpton to become a focal point, the mayor showed her weakness and inability to run a major city like Baltimore in a crisis.
She later tried to deflect everyone's' attention by accentuating her bona fides concerning her leadership during times of snowfalls and earthquakes. But if she really wants to talk about snowfalls and earthquakes she should speak to the folks in Boston and Nepal, who probably would have a different perspective.
I would like to point out the tremendous job done not only by the Baltimore City Police Department but by all the law enforcement agencies that came to the city in our time of need. The presence of these men and women protected all the fire personnel from further danger.
On fire scenes they wrapped our folks in a cocoon of safety so we could do our job without interference. Not enough can be said of the National Guard who came and calmed an explosive town. Thanks as well to the citizens who stopped by the fire houses to drop off food and drinks or just to say "thank you."
Thanks also to the many businesses that did the same. Last but not least, thanks to the schoolchildren who made thank you cards for the firefighters that are now prominently displayed in our fire houses.
Michael B. Campbell
The writer is president of the Baltimore Fire Officers IAFF L-964.