The idea has been shared with the fire service nationwide to show the importance of fire prevention inspections, of pre-planning and showing the families of the fallen firefighters their sacrifice has not been forgotten.

In May of this year the United States Fire Administration hosted the fifth Prevention Advocacy Resource and Data Exchange (PARADE) Conference at the National Fire Academy. The conference attendees include fire marshals and inspectors, public educators and officials from state fire agencies. During the three-day conference attendees have the opportunity to hear about new prevention programs, exchange resources and network with one another.

One presentation during the conference was on the Super Sofa fire in Charleston, SC. This furniture store fire killed nine firefighters in June of 2007. Reflecting on the presentation afterwards, it was evident this fire could have happened in most cities across the country. The questions left with me were why and how? Why do we continue to let fires like this happen and how could we prevent a similar tragedy from happening again?

The next day, after thinking more about the Super Sofa fire and seeing the damage of another furniture store fire in a nearby town in Pennsylvania, an idea came to mind. What if we used the resources of the fire service and the power of the internet and launched a campaign to inspect and pre-plan furniture stores across the county?

The plan would be simple: Ask fire marshals and inspectors or the authority having jurisdiction to inspect all furniture stores in their municipality and have the fire department create or update their pre-plan for the facility. The request would be made to complete this work in the days prior to the second anniversary of the Super Sofa fire on June 18, 2009. Would this be an avenue to stop a similar tragedy from happening?

Another feeling still with me from the Super Sofa Store Fire presentation was the families of the nine fallen firefighters. It's well known the families of any fallen firefighter like to know their sacrifice has not been forgotten. Having suffered a line-of-duty-death in my own department over 10 years ago, we know how the sudden loss of a husband/wife, father/mother, brother/sister, uncle/aunt or fellow firefighter can be a life changing experience. Why not honor these sacrifices, while trying to prevent another tragedy?