• Procedure

• Decision Making

• Accountability

• Communication

• Weather

• Life threatening injury

• Lost time injury

Training began at approximately 0720 hours with a briefing conducted at the

station in which all members participating were given an orientation in the

classroom of the schedule, assignments and objectives for the training session. A

diagram was produced on the dry erase board of the incident area sketch. Eight

companies were assigned with inside safety crews and 3 stokers were used for

prop setting and fire growth monitoring. All stokers were given instructions not

to deviate from fuel load sets. Evacuation signal and PAR procedures were

reviewed along with floor plan, MAYDAY radio call, all training objectives and

safety line placement was discussed. At the training site, the lead instructor and

inside safety crews completed a walk through of the site reviewing fire set

locations and ventilation cutaways. All NFPA 1403 compliant devices were

reviewed and identified (egress points, vent holes, etc.). All lines were laid out,

PPE was checked, and roll call of all companies was taken prior to the first

evolution. Three burns had taken place prior to the incident burn. Burn 4 began

with the fire on the front porch in Division A. Fire was ignited by stokers and

allowed to begin free burning. Fire set was 4 wood pallets, straw and a

combustible finish of wood paneling was present to approximately 3' level around

the inside of the room. During free burn, the windows on Division A/B began to

fail. The inside safety crew (Firefighters A & B) along with three stokers were

located on the first floor of the fire building. Firefighter A & B proceeded to the

2nd floor to assume a safety position and assist in watching crews working on

2nd floor. The attack team mounted the attack approximately 8 minutes after

fire ignition and had trouble with a kinked line, which slowed the attack. The

stoker line was charged and positioned into the fire floor through Division C. The

line was not staffed by firefighter A, firefighter B or any of the stokers.

Conditions deteriorated rapidly both visibly and with heat build up. Fire began to

lap out of windows on Division A extending to the soffits of the house. At

approximately 1056, a radio report was heard that firefighters A & B were in

trouble and a ladder was requested to the 2nd floor at Division D. At this time, 4

safety personnel, 3 stokers and a 4 person attack team were in the structure. A

stand by RIT took Division A’s back-up line and knocked the fire down on the

main floor while other outside crews placed a second 16' ladder to the window

were firefighter B was signaling for help. Dense black smoke was igniting and

surrounded him. The ladder did not reach the sill of the window and instead was

hooked with the ladders hooks to the sill creating an almost vertical placement.

Firefighter B was able to bail out. Firefighter A came to the window with extreme

deteriorating conditions of fire and superheated smoke over his head. Firefighter

A escaped the 2nd floor in similar fashion as Firefighter B. During Firefighter A’s

escape, he lost contact with the ladder and fell to the ground striking a rescuer

who broke Firefighter A's fall and both landed on the ground. A PAR check was

initiated of all crews and all personnel were accounted for. Firefighter B suffered

minor injuries from the bail. Firefighter A received burns over an undetermined

percentage of his body. His burns included ears, neck, cheek, hand area and

steam burns to his back and arms. Firefighter A refused treatment at the scene

by paramedics but was later transported by his Fire Chief to a local emergency

room for evaluation. Upon evaluation of the burns to Firefighter A, was

transferred to a burn unit in a nearby major city. The firefighter who was

attempting to rescue Firefighter A when he fell, suffered a minor neck injury and

back pain that cause one day of lost time. Firefighter A remained in the burn unit

for approximately 5 days and was off work for several weeks.

An independent investigation was launched into this incident as directed by the

hosting department Chief. Investigators were used from nearby training

academy and all had experience investigating training injury incidents. The

independent investigation made the following recommendations. 1. All

participants must were NFPA approved structure firefighter gear. The firefighter

who received burns used an older rubberized set of gear and from burns and self

admission, did not use a flash hood or the hood provided on the helmet. 2. All

combustible interior wall finishing must be removed. One combustible panel was

left in place and possibly increased fuel load. 3. Assure all paths of egress are

maintained and protected. If training is taking place on upper floors, assure that

proper size ladders are in place on all sides where egress may become

necessary. 4. Ignition and interior safety teams should be limited to two

personnel. Keeping safety teams interior from incipient stage through

extinguishment should be carefully considered for each evolution. Every interior

safety team shall have the protection of a hose line capable of delivering a

minimum of 95 GPM. 5. Prior to the start of each evolution, recheck all

components of the drill using a safety officer checklist. This includes but is not

limited to radio checks, water supply, fire streams and hose lines match the

required fire flow for the evolution. 6. Constantly monitor weather conditions and

if necessary suspend the training until favorable weather conditions exist. This

includes changing wind conditions. During this training evolution, the wind

increased significantly during the 4th (incident) burn. 7. Follow all components of

NFPA 1403 when conducting live fire training. Continue to utilize the standards in

the development of live fire training in the form of checklists and templates.

Have a minimum of three separate people go through the checklist to make sure

something was not missed and that all three agree that the 1403 topics have all

been addressed. 8. Require all participants to sign an agreement that they will

not refuse medical treatment and transport to the hospital if they are injured or

possibly injured or directed by the host department and/or chief officer on the

scene. 9. PPE must be NFPA approved and 3/4 boots and rubberized coats are

not permitted. PPE must be worn in accordance with its designed use and

inspected prior to each evolution by a safety person. This includes instructors,

safety, stokers, and participants. 10. Guests participating in the training must

have a signed permission slip from their Fire Chief granting permission to

participate in the training. 11. Maintain a minimum of five hose lines; attack,

back-up for attack, stoker line, safety line and an outside 21/2” line. 12.

Designate radio frequencies and assign a designated person whose job is to do

nothing but monitor working frequencies in a quite, secluded location where

MAYDAY and emergency traffic can be immediately recognized. 13. Consider

creating safe haven rooms where crews can go for protection in critical

unplanned situations.