Faulty Sensor Blamed in Indiana Training Incident

May 20, 2011
Salem Firefighter Matt Gorman was severely injured after he was struck by a nozzle.
An incident that severely injured a Salem firefighter on May 14 was caused by a faulty electronic sensor, fire officials told The Salem Leader.

Firefighter Matt Gorman, 38, was taking part in a training exercise that morning in the parking lot of Bradie Shrum Elementary School.

He was situated on one side of the truck manning the fire hose while several firefighters who were on the other side circled around the pump panel.

The first two steps of the process were completed successfully but as the third step began, a pressure surge occurred, causing the hose to rupture, according to the report.

The nozzle struck Gorman in the head and caused him to fall to the ground.

The typical water pressure used by the department is between 120 and 125 psi but the pressure surged to 300 psi, causing the veteran firefighter to lose control of the hose.

Fire Chief Roger Pennington told the newspaper that it appears that the incident could not have been prevented.

Gorman sustained three skull fractures and has undergone surgery to relieve pressure from bleeding on the brain.

He remains in the ICU at University of Louisville Hospital but he could soon be moved to transitional care.

Fire Chief Roger Pennington said that doctors are optimistic and are pleased with Gorman's progress so far.

"They've given him an A++ for the type of injury he received and the progress he's made," he told the newspaper. "This was just a tragic accident, there's no other way to say it. Bad things happen to good people sometimes."

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