OMAHA, Neb. --
Nearly 30,000 fire departments paused on Tuesday evening to observe a moment of silence after nine Charleston, S.C., firefighters died fighting a Monday evening fire at a furniture warehouse. (Read the national story.)
Omaha area firefighters joined in the memorial and talked about how hard the deaths have hit them. The deaths came during a week in which fire crews across North America are joining together for special safety events, local firefighters said.
Omaha Battalion Chief Joe Mancuso spoke for the nearly 650 personnel with the Omaha Fire Department, saying Tuesday was an emotional day.
"It drives home, to those of us who've survived such incidents, that we have very dangerous jobs," Mancuso said. "It's a brotherhood. We all are feeling for the families and friends of those who lost their lives."
Ralston volunteer firefighters poured over their equipment in a wall-to-wall systems check in recognition of National Stand Down Week. During the annual event, firefighters across the country take extra time to focus on fire and rescue crews' safety.
Ralston Chief Kyle Ienn said his thoughts are with those who lost their lives so far away, and his actions are focused on his crews back home.
"Even though I never met those guys, even though they're paid and we're volunteer, we're still all one big group -- one brotherhood," Ienn said. "As chief of this department, the best thing I can do is do what I can to save my guys and make sure my department is as safe as it can be."
Neither OFD nor Ralston VFD said they have yet received the personnel or memorial assistance requests that sometimes come after incidents such as the one in South Carolina, but leaders said they're ready to help wherever needed.
