In 2021, a Connecticut firefighter collapsed while operating as part of a RIT crew at a structure fire.
Burlington Firefighter/EMT Colin McFadden, 26, died two days later of complications from leukemia, which he did not know he had, according to a report compiled by investigators with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
After assisting with various tasks such as forcing doors and moving large diameter hose, he collapsed onto a fellow firefighter. Although conscious, he was disoriented. An EMS crew on the scene immediately treated and tranported him to a nearby hospital.
His mental status deteriorated during the trip to the hospital where a scan showed he had an intracranial bleed. He had emergency brain surgery.
Despite intense treatment, he died two days later of right heart failure linked to the leukemia, officials noted.
NIOSH made two key recommendations:
1: Fire Departments should educate members on the signs and
symptoms of leukemia and other cancers with a young adult age of onset.
2: Fire Departments should ensure there is a communication protocol
regarding abnormal results of a medical screening examination so that timely follow-up can
occur
Firehouse.com News
Content curated and written by Firehouse editorial staff, including Susan Nicol, Peter Matthews, Ryan Baker and Rich Dzierwa.
