Scathing Report Reveals Deadly Flaws in Baltimore Fire Department

Mayor and unions respond to findings on 2023 blaze that killed two firefighters

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:54am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged firefighter's breathing apparatus, with the harsh lighting and stark black background creating a gritty, investigative aesthetic.The report's findings on equipment failures that contributed to the deaths of two Baltimore firefighters underscore the urgent need for modernization and reform.Baltimore Today

A scathing 300-page report from Baltimore's fire department Incident Review Team has detailed a litany of staffing shortages, communication breakdowns, and equipment failures that contributed to the deaths of two firefighters battling a deadly blaze in October 2023. The report made 82 recommendations, with union leaders saying only 20 have been addressed so far.

Why it matters

The findings raise serious concerns about the Baltimore Fire Department's ability to effectively respond to emergencies and protect both firefighters and the public. The report highlights systemic issues that have persisted for years, despite the city's efforts to invest in the department.

The details

The fire in October 2023 on Linden Heights Avenue in Northwest Baltimore claimed the lives of Acting Capt. Dillon Rinaldo and firefighter/EMT Rodney Pitts. The report found firefighters battled a 1,000-degree inferno while short-staffed, using substandard equipment, with outdated training and lacking knowledge of basic job functions. It cited a catastrophic failure of the firefighters' breathing apparatus, auditory exclusion issues in communications, and underutilization of thermal imaging cameras.

  • The fatal fire occurred on October 19, 2023.
  • The Incident Review Team's 300-page report was released in April 2026.

The players

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott

The mayor responded to the report, stating he has pumped more money into the fire department than previous administrations, though union officials disagree and point to a decrease in staffing in the current fiscal year's budget.

Josh Fannon

The president of Fire Local 934 union said the department has been operating with four-person crews for a long time, and that 44 critical, life-saving recommendations from the report have not been addressed.

Acting Capt. Dillon Rinaldo

One of the two firefighters who died battling the fatal blaze in October 2023.

Firefighter/EMT Rodney Pitts

The other firefighter who died battling the fatal blaze in October 2023.

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What they’re saying

“You can't extinguish a house fire if you don't have enough people to do it. And we have been operating with four-person crews for a long time.”

— Josh Fannon, President of Fire Local 934

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those loved ones. I know Chief Wallace and his team, and we have made significant investments into the infrastructure of the fire department, to make sure that we can do everything possible to make sure this kind of thing doesn't happen again.”

— Brandon Scott, Baltimore Mayor

“The time to address them is not some time in the future. The time is right now.”

— Josh Fannon, President of Fire Local 934

What’s next

The report made 82 recommendations, and according to union officials, only 20 have been addressed so far. The mayor and fire department leadership have pledged to implement the remaining critical recommendations to prevent future tragedies.

The takeaway

This tragic incident has exposed deep-seated issues within the Baltimore Fire Department, from staffing shortages and outdated equipment to communication breakdowns. Addressing these systemic problems will require a sustained, comprehensive effort by city leaders and the fire unions to ensure the safety of both firefighters and the public they serve.