NIOSH has released reports of probes conducted on three line-of-duty death incidents.
Documents released include details surrounding the circumstances of a blaze in California that claimed two firefighters; the crash of a tanker in New York that left the driver dead, and a fatal wreck on a Montana road.
On July 21, 2007, Contra Costa Capt. Matthew C. Burton, 34, and Engineer Scott P. Desmond, 37, perished while searching for occupants in a blazing home.
In addition to the firefighters, two residents died in the fire.
NIOSH investigators concluded: "Key contributing factors identified in this investigation include failure to report the fire by the alarm monitoring company; inadequate staffing; the failure to conduct a size-up and transfer incident command; conducting a search without protection from a hoseline; failure to deploy a back-up hoseline; inadequate ventilation and inadequate training on fire behavior."
They made the following recommendations:
- Ensure that adequate numbers of staff are available to immediately respond to emergency incidents
- Esure that interior search crews are protected by a staffed hose line
- Ensure that firefighters understand the influence of positive pressure ventilation on fire behavior and can effectively apply ventilation tactics
- Develop and implement standard operating procedures (S.O.P.'s) regarding the use of back-up hose lines to protect the primary attack crew from the hazards of deteriorating fire conditions
- Develop and implement (S.O.P.'s) to ensure that incident command is properly established, transferred and maintained
- Ensure that a Rapid Intervention Crew is established to respond to fire fighters in emergency situations
- Emplement joint training on response protocols with mutual aid departments
Read the entire California report
On July 8, 2008, a firefighter was killed in New York after he was ejected from the tanker he was driving.
Investigators cited the lack of seat belt use as a primary factor in Ryan T. Barker's death.
Barker, 25, a member of West Hill Fire Department, was returning to the station after a call when he lost control of the tanker on a curvy road. He was ejected, and the tank that separated from the body landed on top of him.
Investigators concluded: "Key contributing factors identified in this investigation include: non-use of seatbelt, inadequate driver training, driver inexperience with this specific apparatus, an older apparatus with minimal safety features, potentially incorrect installation of a replacement water tank, and difficult road."
After interviews, they suggested:
Ensure that standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding seatbelt use are enforced
Provide and ensure all drivers successfully complete a comprehensive driver's training program [such as NFPA 1451, Standard for a Fire Service Vehicle Operations Training Program] before allowing a member to drive and operate a fire department vehicle
Ensure that replacement water tanks are installed according to manufacturer's instructions
Ensure that programs are in place to provide for the inspection, maintenance, testing and retirement of automotive fire apparatus
Consider replacing fire apparatus over 25 years old
Be aware of programs that provide assistance in obtaining alternative funding such as grant funding to replace or purchase fire apparatus and equipment
Read the entire New York Report
NIOSH investigators also followed up on a crash in Montana that left a firefighter dead.
Jerry Parrick, 59, was seated in his personal pickup truck along a road to warn other motorists of another crash. A tractor hauling two trailers veered out of control and struck his vehicle.
The investigators said factors included hazardous road conditions, the speed of the tractor-trailer, and non-use of a seat belt by the firefighter.
They suggest that departments establish SOGs regarding incidents along highways.
Read the entire Montana Report