PHILLIP PINA
Reprinted with Permission, The Cincinnati Enquirer
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS -- Four Northern Kentucky firefighters suffered severe burns during a training exercise Sunday afternoon.
The four, all being treated at University Hospital, were working on a basement fire when they walked into a “rollover,” said Central Campbell Assistant Fire Chief Ron Schneider. They were in the burning building about 30 seconds.
Battling basement fires is among the toughest of tasks for rescue workers, Assistant Chief Schneider said.
There is usually only one way in and one way out, for the firefighters as well as the flames, he said.
“It's like going into hell,” he said.
The firefighters were entering the basement when the smoke rolling above them ignited, causing a flash of flames, he said. Temperatures in the rollover probably reached about 1,200 degrees, Assistant Chief Schneider said.
Injured were:
- Brian Tismann, a professional firefighter with the Cold Spring station of the Central Campbell Fire Department. He suffered severe burns to a foot. He was listed in fair condition Monday.
- Jim McCulley, a volunteer firefighter with the Highland Heights station of Central Campbell, suffered severe burns to his back, arms and hands. Listed in fair condition.
- Gavin Ellis, a volunteer with Highland Heights station, suffered burns to his hands and arms. He was listed in good condition Monday.
- Dan Thomas, a professional firefighter with the Wilder Fire Department, suffered hand and arm burns. Also listed in good condition.
All four were admitted to University Hospital's burn unit where they remained Monday.
The fire crews were in their second day of training at a home recently acquired by Northern Kentucky University and adjacent to the campus at 550 Johns Hill Road. The departments gather about twice a year to practice their skills and gain realistic experience.
As part of the training, portions of the one-story ranch house were set afire.
Saturday's exercises went off without a hitch. But at 12:24 p.m. Sunday, the four firefighters started to enter the basementand encountered the “rollover,” Assistant Chief Schneider said.
After being surrounded by the flames, they scrambled back up the stairs, looked for the first light — a window — and rushed out of the burning home. It happened so quickly that Mr. Tismann left a boot on the stairs. A second crew that responded to the group's calls for help made it out of the home without any injuries.
Members of the participating fire departments gathered late Sunday afternoon for a debriefing on the training. Their main concern was the injuries to their peers.
With the exception of the lost boot, the equipment protected the firefighters, Assistant Chief Schneider said. The firefighters probably were injured by steam burns from their own sweat inside their suits, he added.
Most times inside a fire, temper atures will reach about 400 degrees. While their suits are made to withstand about 1,800- degree flashovers, steam could be seen coming from the men when they made it out of the fire, he said.
Kentucky fire investigators as well as those from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will be looking into the training mishap, Assistant Chief Schneider said. The fire was eventually extinguished by the firefighters at the scene.
Conditions updated by Firehouse.Com News Monday afternoon
