For the mother of Boston Firefighter Michael Kennedy, one of two firefighters killed in the 9-alarm Beacon Street fire two years ago this month, no report or findings will ever bring her son back.
"Do I think my son's death was preventable? Yes, I absolutely do," said Kennedy's mother, Kathy Crosby Bell.
Crosby Bell says while some improvements outlined in two reports on the fire released Thursday have been made, not enough is being done to protect the men and women of the Boston Fire Department.
"It's clear throughout these reports that had they had correct staffing, had they had a hose that didn't burn, this wouldn't have happened," she said.
"It was the perfect storm for a tragedy, and a tragedy unfolded in front of us," said Boston Fire Commissioner Joseph Finn.
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"We have to look and see what can be done immediately and what can be done over time," said Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. "We're trying to get the fire departments, all departments, on a pace where we're constantly renewing the trucks and equipment."
Both the internal and external reports cite inadequate staffing and training as issues that needed to be addressed following the fire - something current Commissioner Finn says he has already implemented.
"Because this city was built to burn, we recognize the need to get resources on the fire ground as quickly as possible," said Finn.
Kennedy and Lt. Edward Walsh were killed battling the fire. Union President Richard Paris stressed that while learning from fires like this one can help save lives in the future, it should not diminish the decisions made that day by the scene commander.
"He saved firefighters' lives that day," Paris said. "Another minute and 14 seconds left, the union would have been going to probably another 30 houses and telling their loved ones that they weren't coming home."
Crosby Bell says now the city and the mayor need to focus on improving funding to the department so they can afford to continue to improve training, staffing levels and equipment.
"It's way past time to act, we must get some directed funding for the fire service," said Crosby Bell, "Firefighters are heroes, but they are not superheroes."
The widow of Lt. Edward Walsh also issued a statement after learning of the report.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh released a statement saying, in part, "This report and these recommendations will guide Commissioner Finn and I, as we work to build on our commitment to the safety and wellness of our firefighters."
