Firefighter Nation

The Modesto Bee is reporting on results from an investigation into fireground actions during a January structure fire that left two firefighters critically burned.


On January 1, 2010, the Modesto Fire Department responded to a garage fire. As operations were progressing, two firefighters preparing to ventilate the roof were caught in a structural collapse. Firefighter Jason Clevenger and Engineer James Adams each sustained third-degree burns.

The nature of the injuries sustained led the department to include outside assistance in the investigation, a first in the department's history.

Protective gear is credited with saving the lives of both men but it was noted that use of ear flaps, in conjunction with protective hoods, might have prevented the severe burns to the back of the head and ears.

The Modesto Bee also reported that the construction features were a surprise to the fire department. The structure was a single family residence approximately 1,400 square feet. The attached garage had unprotected structural members supporting the walls and roof. The roof construction consisted of composite shingles over top a wood shake roof supported by skip sheeting, 2x6 and 2x4 rafter ties.

Interim-chief Mike Kraus noted that the department will do its best to determine if the roof construction in this fire is in use elsewhere in Modesto.

Recommendations from the investigation panel found that the fire was treated as a routine fire. The department has begun reassigning staff to its training division to address the report recommendations.

Read more of the Coston fire report, the incident and the firefighters' recovery at the Modesto Bee.