NIOSH Releases Two LODD Reports

Officials at NIOSH have made several recommendations following probes of two incidents that claimed personnel. One involved a crash that claimed a California firefighter, while the other was a house fire in which a veteran Colorado fireman was killed.

On Aug. 6, 2005, Chris Kanton, 23, was killed after he was ejected from an open cab fire truck after it careened off a road during a rain storm.

After reviewing the crash investigation information from the California Highway Patrol, agents, NIOSH officials also interviewed the two other occupants of the fire truck. They also spoke with the person at the maintenance facility for details.

Following their probe, NIOSH investigators suggested all apparatus drivers should be familiar with braking systems. Their third recommendation mentioned that departments strictly enforce rules regarding seat belt use.

View the Report

The other probe involved a Denver firefighter killed in a house fire in May 2006. Lt. Richard Montoya, 61, was found under a mattress by fellow firefighters. An autopsy determined he died of smoke inhalation.

NIOSH investigators interviewed firefighters who were on the scene of the house fire, and listened to fire ground communications.

Reports indicated Montoya went into the house with two others. They assumed he was with them when they decided to leave after hearing their alarms indicating they were low on air.

Montoya was found under a mattress. It's believed that his face piece became dislodged at one point.

NIOSH investigators suggested firefighters don their masks prior to entering a structure, and that team members keep an eye on one another.

This report can be viewed at NIOSH