Illinois Department Criticized In NIOSH LODD Report

JOHN K. RYAN
Chicago Sun Times

The Homewood Fire Department was taken to task in a report on how it handled a fire that cost the lives of a firefighter and an elderly resident.

NIOSH Report
Career Firefighter/Paramedic Dies in Flashover

View of flashover.(Photo courtesy of Warren Skalski.)

Scene conditions after crews advanced inside.
(Photo courtesy of Warren Skalski.)

Related

The report from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health looked into factors leading to the death of Homewood firefighter-paramedic Brian Carey, 28, during a house fire March 30.

The report concludes the commanding officer and crew that responded to the scene didn't follow some key guidelines for fighting fires. Among the report's findings:

- The commander on the scene, Homewood fire Lt. Scott Moran, did not do a complete assessment of the fire scene before crews were sent into the burning home.

- Poor tactical decisions were made on how to try to extinguish the fire, including sending Carey and fellow firefighters Karra Kopas and Chris Kieta into the building with a hose that was too big to maneuver within the house.

- Firefighters did not stay within visual, physical or vocal contact with each other at all times while fighting the fire. Firefighters inside lost contact with Carey during the fire, and while he was equipped with a handheld radio, it was found in the back pocket of his pants under his firefighting gear, making it inaccessible.

- Moran and crew members outside the home didn't recognize signs of the deteriorating situation and order firefighters out of the building. Thick, black and heavily pressurized smoke billowing from windows on one side of the Homewood house should have warned those outside that a flashover soon could occur.

- The department didn't have adequate staffing to fight the fire. Homewood Fire Chief Bob Grabowski declined comment on the report.

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All Rights Reserved
September 21, 2010

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kilburg on November 15, 2010 at 9:53pm

Way to throw names around Dean K. I hope your arm isnt too sore from patting yourself on the back. I dont know who you are and I dont really care who you are. Its funny that I DO know every single person you name in your little diatribe. This isnt about you. I am going to make a special point to find out who you are and if your mouth is as big as your ego. I have been a member of my department since 1981 and know a lot of people and it is funny that I have never run across you before. In fact, I am throwing the bullshit flag on you. You dont even have balls to show your full name but you have no problem throwing others out there. Pathetic.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kilburg on November 18, 2010 at 11:19am

I did some digging around. You are delusional Dean.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Radtke on November 22, 2010 at 3:09pm

Hey. Dean K. Unlike Brother Kilburg, I DO know who you are, what you did and what kind of "firefighter" you wanted everyone to think you were.

You're talking grown-up crap here, Sally. There may be grown-up (legal) consequences. Think before you post.