Meet James Wallace: As can be seen from the videos circulating online, the tangled wreckage poses an extremely difficult task for rescue crews following the Baltimore bridge disaster.
Taking the lead in coordinating the efforts is Baltimore’s fire chief, James Wallace. Wallace was appointed to the position by Mayor Brandon Scott on 23 August, 2023.
Emergency response history of Fire Chief Wallace
In rescue efforts like today, Wallace’s 33-year career with the Baltimore City Fire Department makes him an invaluable asset.
Baltimore City Fire Department Chief James Wallace said the situation is still in an active ‘search and rescue’ posture and that emergency teams were continuing efforts to locate ‘upwards of seven people’https://t.co/HeP0rck8GF pic.twitter.com/Qw9QmAjz0T
— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 26, 2024
“The Baltimore City Fire Department does the hard work of saving lives across our city every single day, responding promptly to emergencies of all kinds and offering critical support to other agencies during challenging situations,” Mayor Scott said last year. “I know that under Chief Wallace’s unmatched leadership and experience, our Fire Department will continue to excel in its mission and further enhance its services to the community.”
How did Fire Chief Wallace respond to the collapse of the bridge?
Wallace told the media that the first emergency units arrived on the scene around 01:50 local time. He also confirmed the rescue of two people, while rescue operations are continuing for at least six more.
The individual who refused service and refused transport, Wallace said, was not injured. “However, another individual has been transported to a local trauma center in very serious condition.”
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