Denver Firefighter LODD Report Calls for Changes

A report released by the Denver Fire Department calls for several changes following the death of Firefighter John Whelan, who fell through a lightweight skylight over the summer. 

The 25-page Post Incident Analysis details a number of changes, including the need for a dedicated safety officer and the use of signs to call attention to skylights.

Some of the findings were similar to a report that detailed a 2012 close call for Lt. Joseph Duran, who also fell through a skylight, CBSDenver reports.

Whelan responded to a dumpster fire on June 29 when he was assigned to check the roof for fire extension. He fell through a fiberglass skylight and died two weeks after.

The findings indicate that the department needs to improve their method of sharing information, including safety warnings.  The findings from Duran's close call was never shared with other member of the department, the television station reports.

Incident reports will now include a field where officers must share safety concerns, which will be reviewed by chief officers.

The report calls for changes to the city's fire code as well. It requests that high visibility signs and guard rails are used to call attention the skylights. 

The fire department is now asking for new fire codes calling for “fluorescent signage and guard rails” around those lightweight skylights.