There’s no substitute for common sense

The very idea of “grandfathering” buildings built prior to a certain date so that they do not have to comply with modern, stricter building codes is also going to be the focus of legislative debate.

Such a debate should ultimately result in getting sprinkler systems into older buildings that currently may not be required to have them. In the past, proposals to mandate sprinkler systems have faced opposition here and in other states, including Massachusetts, because of the significant cost attached to retrofitting old buildings.

That cost is a legitimate concern, but it can no longer represent a deal breaker. On one side, state legislators and members of our congressional delegation need to craft creative tax incentive programs that will help ease the burden on the small business owner.

But small business owners, too, must accept that there is nothing more important than ensuring public safety. It is quite simply a cost of doing business.

The push for stricter regulations and controls over nightclubs and similar facilities that we are now seeing from our lawmakers is indeed justified. At a time like this, we expect our elected officials to lead – to do whatever it takes to ensure that such a tragedy does not occur again.

We respectfully suggest that both the state and municipalities revisit those laws that require a public safety official – be it a representative of a police or fire department – be on a detail at a nightclub or bar that is expected to draw a crowd. Requiring that such an individual not only be present at the event, but formally sign-off on safety procedures beforehand, would seem to add yet another level of safety. Would it make it just that much harder to break the law if a city or state official is on hand and must give formal permission before any show can begin? This is not another level of bureaucracy – it’s simply adding more clout to an existing resource.

Gov. Don Carcieri, who has displayed exemplary leadership in the aftermath of this tragedy, was right in the days following the disaster to order fire inspectors to begin an immediate review of all “places of assembly” in Rhode Island — beginning with Class C facilities (those that hold 50 to 300 people) such as The Station. The governor also acted prudently in placing an immediate ban on all pyrotechnic devices at the Class C facilities.

House Speaker William J. Murphy, a West Warwick Democrat, has joined the governor and others in putting together a special commission to study – and potentially overhaul – Rhode Island’s fire safety laws.

Legislators have raised other important issues as well, including stricter oversight of capacity limits and requirements for building schematics that would make the public better aware of where exits are located.

These actions will all make for a safer environment, but they will not ensure our safety. That will require something that can not be legislated. It is called common sense. And sadly, it was nowhere to be found at The Station in West Warwick that Thursday night.

Set off any firework in a crowded one-story wooden structure with low ceilings and you’re likely to start a fire. Attach highly combustible materials to a wall in that structure and any fire is going to spread.

Looking at the incredible footage shot by a WPRI Channel 12 photographer at the scene, there is little mystery as to how the fire got started, why it spread so quickly – and why so many innocent people lost their lives. It was a confluence of several poor decisions.

Whether permission was granted or not, a pyrotechnic display was used in an old wooden building that had low ceilings and no sprinkler system. Patrons clearly were not fully aware of where all of the exits in the facility were located.

Rep. Peter Ginaitt, a Warwick Democrat and a rescue captain at Warwick’s Station 5 on Cowesett Road, was on the dreadful scene.

A few days after the blaze he was still shaken by how quickly it spread.

“Another three or four minutes would have been the saving grace for a lot of people,” he said.

Ginaitt called the fire a “vile occurrence.”

Now, Ginaitt will be among those expected to make things better – by passing legislation at the General Assembly.

To Ginaitt, many of the suggestions being proposed make sense. But he is quick to point out that there are rules on the books – codes and restrictions designed to help prevent what happened last week.

He doesn’t see a deluge of change taking place.

He makes a good point.

We’re confident that the Legislature will address some glaring issues related to public safety. But we can only hope that the public learns from this tragedy.

All the rules and regulations in the world don’t mean a thing if people don’t follow them.

“Common sense is a marvelous tool,” said Ginaitt.