Report: Water Fatally Knocked San Francisco FF Off Fire Escape

A San Francisco firefighter died in the line of duty when a stream of water accidentally knocked him from a fire escape during a training exercise, a department report released Sunday stated.

Firefighter-paramedic Jason Cortez, 42, was killed in a training drill at the department's Division of Training facility Wednesday. Members of Engine 3 were participating in a probationary firefighter pump drill for the standpipe evaluation, KRON-TV reports.

According to the department report, Cortez was on a third-floor fire escape when he opened a standpipe valve that didn't have a hose line attached. Water shot from the standpipe, striking the firefighter in the chest and knocking him backwards off the fire escape.

Cortez was taken to the hospital with critical, traumatic injuries. He died from his injuries later in the day.

Department safety protocols instituted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic might have been a factor in Cortez's death, the report stated, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Social distancing meant the firefighters in the exercise were working in isolation and not with a team.

“In response to COVID restrictions, extreme caution must be exercised when conducting drills individually that normally require multiple companies,” stated the report, which also called for a review of standpipe safety procedures.

Once Cal-OSHA and the San Francisco police finish their investigations, the department will reassess its COVID-19 protocols, as well as its own initial findings, the Chronicle added.

Click here to view the full report.