Fall River Fire Union Blames Understaffing for Deadly Assisted-Living Blaze

A deadly fire at the Gabriel House Assisted Living Residence in Fall River, Massachusetts, resulted in nine deaths and more than 30 hospitalizations, with the local firefighters' union attributing the high fatality rate to chronic understaffing. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) stated that only two of Fall River’s 10 fire companies meet national staffing standards of four firefighters per truck, while the rest operate with just three, limiting rescue capabilities during the blaze. Union leaders emphasized that had the fire department been properly staffed, additional firefighters would have been available to conduct rescues, potentially saving lives. Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan acknowledged the tragedy but urged against politicizing the staffing issue, stating the city relies on professional recommendations for staffing levels and denying any recent cuts. Firefighters described harrowing conditions, including searching for victims without sufficient protective gear and managing overwhelmed residents who required assistance to evacuate. The IAFF called for immediate increases in staffing to national standards to prevent similar future tragedies.