Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report: Fire Fighter-Paramedic Suffers On-Duty Cardiac Death at Fire Station in Texas.

摘要

On June 22, 2011, a 35-year-old male career fire fighter-paramedic (FF-P) was working a 24-hour shift on a rescue unit (ambulance). During the shift he responded to 10 emergency medical calls and participated in classroom training. After the last call at 0511 hours on June 23, 2011, the FF-P returned to the fire station at 0608 hours and went to bed. At approximately 0745 hours, the FF-P was found unresponsive. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and advanced life support were begun, and the FF-P was transported to the local hospital's emergency department (ED). Despite medical treatment at the fire station, in the ambulance, and in the ED, the FF-P died. The death certificate and autopsy listed 'atherosclerotic coronary artery disease' as the cause of death. Whether the physical stress of emergency response was sufficient to trigger his sudden cardiac death remains unclear. NIOSH investigators offer the following recommendations to address general safety and health issues, but these recommendations probably would not have prevented the FF-P's death. (1) Provide preplacement and annual medical evaluations to all fire fighters in accordance with NFPA 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments. (2) Discontinue lumbar spine x-rays as a screening test administered during the preplacement medical evaluation.