LODD 360 - FIF002
Charleston, South Carolina
"May the lessons learned from a truthful and complete analysis of this incident prevent future tragedies"
- Charleston City Report
Michael Jonathon Alan French – Engineer 5
Assistant Engineer Michael French was 27 years old. He was an Assistant Engineer with 1.5 years service with the Charleston Fire Department. Michael "Frenchie" French was among the youngest firefighters who lost their lives at the Sofa Super Store, but whatever he lacked in experience, he more than made up for in enthusiasm for the job. French, 27, of Eadyville began volunteering with the Pine Ridge Rural Fire Department outside Summerville and developed a reputation as someone who always could be relied upon to show up when the department's alarm tones sounded. He previously worked for the Saint Andrews Fire Department, but he wanted to jump to the city. Charleston firefighter Tim Black got to know French well in January 2006, when the two trained together for a city job. Black said his friend talked a lot about his 5-year-old daughter. As for his other interests, Black said, "He always liked to go out boating and just hanging with the guys." In his short time with the city, French rose to the position of assistant engineer — a relatively quick move. Engineer Derek Noffsinger of Station 16 said French was a quiet sort who only opened up after you got to know him. "He was ready to go places in the fire department," Noffsinger said of French. "He took his job seriously." Black said French was the kind of person willing to fill in on a shift at the last minute. Jonathan Ryan, a Pine Ridge volunteer and Mount Pleasant firefighter, said French had two passions: "He loved the fire department and he loved his daughter," he said, adding that French recently moved in with his cousin to spend more time with her. Black said that upon getting the job with the Charleston Fire Department he and French worked together to help get through the physical agility and stress test — the most challenging part of that training. "He was a real go-getter," Black said. "He wouldn't let you quit. He wouldn't let you slow down.
He wouldn't let you give up."
- Charleston City Report
