HOUSTON - The State Fire Marshal's report into the devastating Southwest Inn fire had 8 major findings, including: communication problems, lack of accountability, no pre-fire plan and no 360-degree assessment upon arrival.
None of those, says HFD, can be blamed for the deaths of four firefighters that day.
The first call HFD got for the deadliest fire in the department's history was at 12:05 on May 31,2013.
Investigators would later learn, people smelled smoke at the Southwest Inn as early as 9a.m, but no one called 911. Houston Fire Chief Terry Garrison said, "The best thing our members coulda done is got there two and half hours earlier."
Instead, unknown to firefighters, the blaze apparently smoldered for hours, weakening the roof which later collapsed on top of the four firefighters who died.
As for findings regarding HFD? They include the much talked about communication problems. Those began when the department started using a new digital radio system about a month before the Southwest Inn fire.
New Houston Professional Firefighters Association President Alvin White said, "We do have radio communications issues that we have addressed. You know the union has been very vocal about our radio issues and we are working with administration to resolve those issues."
HFD is testing new software as a part of the ongoing fix and looking at hardware improvements to existing hand held radios. Garrison explained, "We're working on the lapel mics so members can talk to each other. We have a new masks coming in the next year or so."
Houston has also approved $1.5 million for three new training programs to help firefighters stay out of and get out trouble. That includes a 'blue card certification'.
Garrison said, "You've got to have license to cut hair but you don't have to have a license to send people into fight and to command fire. It's incredible."
That will change soon. All firefighters will have access to 1 of 3 new programs.
The State's report is consistent with HFD's findings released last month. Click here to read the full report.
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