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The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a branch of CDC, has recently updated investigations on the 1999 deaths of Michael J. Sims Sr., 38, of the Highland Hose Company in Tarentun, Penn., and Timmy Roger Dawson, 34, of the Center Rock Volunteer Fire Department in South Carolina. Both fatalities resulted from vehicle accidents.

Firefighter Fatality Investigation # 99F-45:

A Volunteer Firefighter Dies of Head Injuries After Falling Off a Responding Open-Cab Ladder Truck - Pennsylvania

On November 2, 1999, Michael J. Sims Sr., 38, of the Highland Hose Company in Tarentun, Penn., sustained a traumatic head injury after falling off a responding open-cab ladder truck. This injury led to his death the following day.

Sims was part of a volunteer crew of six personnel that also included a driver, an officer, and three other firefighters. The crew was responding to provide mutual-aid assistance to an adjoining community. As the ladder truck was leaving the station, the victim was reported to be standing behind the officer and another firefighter in the open crew compartment of the vehicle. None of the responding personnel reported wearing seat belts.

Shortly after the ladder truck left the fire station and completed the second turn, it was realized Sims was missing and the ladder truck stopped. The crew dismounted the ladder truck and ran back to the victim, who was lying in the roadway. They gave him emergency medical care, and he was transported to a local hospital where he died the following day.

NIOSH investigators concluded:

Recommendation #1: Fire departments should ensure that the emergency fire apparatus are equipped and functional to provide adequate safety for the riders and drivers/operators.

Discussion: Each crew riding position on the emergency fire apparatus must be provided with a seat and an approved seat belt designed to accommodate a human with and without heavy clothing. When an apparatus is purchased and/or refurbished, seat belts large enough to accommodate a firefighter in full protective clothing should be specified for all seats. The apparatus involved in this incident was built in 1965 and refurbished in 1991. During the investigation some of the seat belts on the fire apparatus of this incident were found to be wedged under seat cushions. After further examination of the seat belts, it became apparent that the seat belts were not large enough to accommodate a firefighter in full protective clothing.

Recommendation #2: Fire departments should ensure that all firefighters who ride on emergency fire apparatus are seated and secured by seat belts.

Discussion: Over the years, the fire service has taken measures to reduce the loss of firefighters in the line of duty. One of these measures is prohibiting firefighters to ride the "back-step." However, standing in the crew area is frequently permitted as an alternative riding practice. Standing on a moving (either responding or returning) piece of fire apparatus is a dangerous practice because any loss of balance can result in the firefighter being thrown from the apparatus. Firefighters must be seated and use the seat belt intended for that riding position. The requirement that all drivers shall not move fire department vehicles until all persons on the vehicle are seated and secured with seat belts in approved riding positions must be clearly and effectively communicated to all members of the fire department. One way to convey this message is by developing and maintaining written risk management plans that include vehicle operations. The need to periodically inspect and maintain properly installed seat belts and other occupant restraint systems should be outlined as part of the fire department's risk management plan as well. Firefighters make many life-and-death decisions during a tour of duty, and one of the most important is snapping on a seat belt after climbing aboard an emergency apparatus that has been called to respond.

FOR THE FULL REPORT: VISIT NIOSH

Firefighter Fatality Investigation # 99F-33:

Motor-Vehicle Incident Claims the Life of a Volunteer Firefighter and Injures a Lieutenant and Another Firefighter - South Carolina

Timmy Roger Dawson, 34, of the Center Rock Volunteer Fire Department in South Carolina died on August 31, 1999 after the engine he was driving veered off the road and rolled two times before coming to rest. The incident occurred while Dawson, another firefighter, and a lieutenant were responding to a motor-vehicle incident involving injuries.

While en route, the tires on the engine's right side dropped off the road surface. As Dawson attempted to bring the engine back onto the roadway, he overcompensated, causing the engine to cross the oncoming lane of traffic. The engine crossed a small ditch, rolled across another roadway, crossed another ditch, and rolled again before coming to rest in a resident's yard. The lieutenant and firefighter were thrown from the engine and Dawson was killed instantly. The lieutenant and firefighter were taken by ambulance to a local hospital where they were treated and released. Dawson, who was trapped in the vehicle, was removed one hour later.

NIOSH investigators concluded:

Recommendation #1: Fire departments should establish, implement, and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) on the use of seatbelts in all emergency vehicles.

Discussion: Fire departments should establish and implement SOPs on the use of seatbelts. The SOPs should apply to all persons riding in all emergency vehicles and state that all persons should be seated and secured in an approved riding position anytime the vehicle is in motion.

Recommendation #2: Fire departments should ensure drivers of fire apparatus do not move vehicles until all occupants in vehicles are secured with seatbelts.

Discussion: Drivers of fire apparatus should ensure that vehicles are not moved until all persons riding in them are secured with seatbelts. The apparatus involved in this incident was equipped with seatbelts; however, all occupants, including the driver, were not wearing them at the time of the incident. The use and wearing of seatbelts could greatly reduce injuries to the driver and passengers in the event of a wreck.

Recommendation #3: Fire departments should ensure all drivers of fire department vehicles are responsible for the safe and prudent operation of the vehicle under all conditions.

Discussion: Fire departments should ensure driver/operators of fire service vehicles are responsible for the safe and prudent operation of the vehicles under all conditions. The State allows emergency vehicles responding to an incident to exceed the maximum speed limit if the driver does not endanger life or property; however, drivers of fire apparatus should reduce their speed when traveling on hazardous routes (e.g., insufficient shoulder). Drivers should always maintain a safe speed to avoid losing control of the vehicle.

Recommendation #4: Fire departments should ensure all drivers of fire department vehicles receive driver training at least twice a year.

Discussion: Driver training should be provided to all driver/operators as often as necessary to meet the requirements of NFPA 1451, but not less than twice a year. This training should cover defensive driving techniques during emergency and non-emergency conditions. The victim had fulfilled the department's requirements to become a certified driver by successfully completing the training twice in 1992. However, since that time, the driver had not had any additional driving training. Additionally, the State offers a fire apparatus driver/operator course. The course consists of 30 hours of instruction on state laws that affect emergency vehicle operation, defensive driving, vehicle inspection and maintenance, and physical abilities and limitation. Eight hours of this course are used for driving skills development. This course is offered free of charge to all fire departments.