Junior Firefighter Bicycle LODD Among Latest NIOSH Reports

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has released their findings on the deaths of several firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2002.

The most recent reports cover the deaths of North Dakota Firefighter Barry Dockter who died due to a fireworks discharge, Junior Firefighter Christopher Kangas of Pennsylvania, who was killed while responding to a fire alarm on his bicycle, Kansas Fire Chief Earl Hemphill who was struck by a fire truck at a motor-vehicle incident, and Alabama Firefighter Edna Faye Bishop, who was fatally injured in an engine rollover.

NIOSH's Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program posts a comprehensive report on every firefighter fatality with a thorough discussion of the incident, photos and illustrations, and recommendations on how to avoid a similar incident.

On July 5, 2002, 44-year-old volunteer firefighter Barry Dockter of the Anamoose Fire Department was killed while loading shells into mortars at a public fireworks display. Approximately 40 minutes into the show, he suddenly yelled and ran from the mortar, covered with sparks and trying to brush something from his clothing, the report says. Seconds later, a shell exploded, and he fell. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead later that night.

NIOSH investigators concluded that to minimize the risk of similar incidents, fire departments should

• Ensure that safety caps protecting the fuse on fireworks shells are not removed until immediately before the shell is to be fired and are removed only by the shooter
• Ensure that all fire fighters participating in public fireworks displays are fully trained in the proper performance of their assigned tasks and that they are educated with regard to safety hazards
• Ensure that mortars are not reloaded/fired more than seven times during a performance to prevent mortar disintegration
• Develop, implement and enforce standard operating guidelines (SOGs) for the operation of fireworks displays

On May 4, 2002, 14-year-old junior volunteer firefighter Christopher Kangas of the Brookhaven Fire Company was fatally injured while responding to a fire alarm on his bicycle. He was on his way to the fire station and crossed a "T" intersection without stopping and was struck by an automobile, according to the report. Kangas was treated at the scene and then transported to a local hospital. He was later transported by helicopter to a nearby children's hospital where he was pronounced dead the following day.

NIOSH investigators concluded that to minimize the risk of similar occurrences, fire departments should

• Provide fire fighters, including junior fire fighters, with hazard awareness training that includes unique hazards that may be encountered when using unconventional means of transportation (e.g., bicycles, scooters, etc.,) to respond to or return from fire alarms
• Develop, implement, and enforce a policy which requires the use of approved personal protective equipment (PPE) including helmets and appropriate clothing when using unconventional means of transportation while responding to or returning from alarms
• Review and revise, where applicable, Junior Emergency Service Compliance Manuals to address hazards associated with responding to or returning from fire alarms for individuals who use unconventional means of transportation.

On April 11, 2002, 61-year-old career Fire Chief Earl Hemphill, a 20-year veteran of the Russell Fire Department, was providing mutual aid at a scene of a motor vehicle incident. He died after being struck by a fire truck. The fire chief from another department lost control of his fire truck after his brakes failed as he was arriving on the scene, the report says. The chiefs were transported by ambulance to a regional hospital, where the driver was hospitalized and discharged the following day, and Hemphill was pronounced dead.

NIOSH investigators concluded that to minimize the risk of similar occurrences, fire departments should

• Develop comprehensive apparatus maintenance programs in accordance with manufacturer's specifications and instructions that include regularly scheduled inspections, documentation, and procedures for removing apparatus from service until major defects are repaired
• Ensure all drivers of fire department vehicles receive driver training at least twice a year
• Develop, implement, and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding emergency operations for highway incidents
• Ensure that while operating at an emergency scene, personnel wear personal protective clothing that is suitable to that incident, such as a highly visible reflectorized flagger vest (strong yellow-green or orange)
• Develop, implement, and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) on the safe operation of emergency vehicles which include the use of seat belts

  Additionally, municipalities should consider

• Establishing and maintaining regional mutual-aid radio channels to coordinate and communicate activities involving units from multiple jurisdictions

On April 7, 2002, 29-year-old volunteer firefighter Edna Faye Bishop of Bon Secour Fire and Rescue was fatally injured when the engine in which she was riding overturned on the way to a confirmed brush fire. Bishop was one of three volunteer firefighters responding in the vehicle. The engine had just rounded a curve when it went off the road onto the shoulder, causing the driver to lose control and the engine to overturn, according to the report. The driver and the front-seat passenger, who were injured, were assisted out of the engine through the windshield area and transported via ambulance to a local hospital for treatment. The victim was entrapped and had to be extricated by firefighters. She was transported to a regional medical center where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.

NIOSH investigators concluded that to minimize the risk of similar incidents, fire departments should

• Develop and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the safe and prudent operation of emergency vehicles
• Ensure that drivers of fire department vehicles receive driver training at least twice a year