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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
(Photo courtesy of Warren Skalski.)
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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.
Copyright 2010 Sun-Times Media, LLC
All Rights Reserved
September 21, 2010
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Fabulous Heather Days of Summer on
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HOW SAD :(
RIP
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Permalink Reply by Roy Walker on
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We all have to learn to call for manpower early and to establish what is worth fighting and what is not . Sometimes we risk for good reason but we must learn to read the conditions as part of that process . Then we need to follow our procedures. I am not criticizing this department ,I wasn't there , just stating general needs.
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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on
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Sent inside and was not wearing SCBA, according to the Chicago Tribune.
I don't get it.
Very sad.
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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on
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And here we go, around and around we go- AGAIN!
LODD's are preventable!
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did not do a complete assessment of the fire scene before crews were sent into the burning home
poor tactical decisions were made
didn't recognize signs of the deteriorating situation and order firefighters out of the building
firefighters did not stay within visual, physical or vocal contact with each other at all times while fighting the fire
didn't have adequate staffing to fight the fire
ALL SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS ALLEGATIONS
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Permalink Reply by Tony P on
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The NIOSH report linked to above says "without his facepiece on" - so it sounds like he at least was wearing BA.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Kilburg on
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The Tribune was WRONG Art. Big surprise.
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when you run out of air - you take off your face piece
when you are about to die - you probably take off your face piece
the way he went in - may not be the same way he came out
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Permalink Reply by Vic Silverfish on
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mate, there was a person trapped. That's the definition of "worth fighting."
I have put together a scathing post, but don't have the heart to actually post it. I am shocked at this incident. Does anyone have a link to the NIOSH report? I hate trusting the newspapers for this.
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I'm an idiot...the NIOSH report is behind a link right above the pictures.
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Mike:
And that's why I attributed the statement to the Chicago Tribune.
I have not seen the official report yet.
At first, I thought something happened to his BA when the hose burst.
But I don't know.
If the news is wrong, then it comes as no surprise.
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