When a three‑story building in Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood collapsed on Wednesday afternoon, killing two people and injuring at least a dozen, the scene reminded Durham Fire Chief Robert Zoldos of a similar disaster in downtown Durham.
Local perspective on a national tragedy
Chief Zoldos, who has served with USA Task Force One on disasters in Kenya, Turkey, Taiwan and Haiti, and was a first responder on September 11, said the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) is well‑equipped to handle the complex rescue operation.
“They have one of the 28 FEMA urban‑search and rescue teams,” Zoldos explained. “They’ve got the abilities and the skills to be able to tackle this problem and give the people inside the best chance of survival.”
Step‑by‑step rescue process
Zoldos described the multi‑phase approach FDNY crews will use. First, they will focus on “surface victims” – those visible on the rubble pile or only lightly entrapped. Next, specialized tools such as search dogs, cameras, seismic listening devices and other technical equipment will be deployed to locate individuals deeper in the debris.
When a precise location is identified, crews will begin “tunneling” to reach victims without further destabilizing the structure. “A lot of times, that comes from people grabbing our sleeve and pointing at a building and saying we have a loved one right there,” he said.
Building type may aid rescue
The collapsed building, constructed around 1930, appears to be masonry with wooden flooring – a type of “ordinary construction” that often leaves void spaces inside. Those voids can create survivable pockets for trapped occupants, Zoldos noted.
Durham’s own urban‑search capabilities
While Durham does not have the same scale of resources as FDNY, Zoldos emphasized that the Durham Fire Department and other North Carolina fire agencies are part of smaller urban‑search teams. Through training and mutual‑aid agreements, they develop skills that can be called upon in emergencies like the Brooklyn collapse.
He recalled the department’s response to the gas explosion in downtown Durham in April 2019, noting that partnerships allow them to “bring the right people to bear” even when numbers are limited.
Investigation continues
The cause of the Brooklyn collapse remains under investigation. The New York City Department of Buildings has sent inspectors to the site to assist with recovery operations and to assess the structural stability of nearby buildings.
Chief Zoldos’s comments underscore the importance of experienced, well‑trained urban‑search teams and the value of inter‑agency cooperation in saving lives during large‑scale building failures.
Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.
