Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report: Fire Fighter/Operator Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death While Operating a Fire Engine at a Structure Fire in Louisiana

摘要

On September 11, 2009, a 44-year-old male career Fire Fighter/Operator (FF/O) responded in his privately owned vehicle to a two-story structure fire. On scene while wearing full turnout gear, he connected the engine to a hydrant, assisted on a 212-inch hoseline to protect exposures, and, after additional fire fighters arrived, operated the pump panel on the fire engine. As the FF/O went to the rear of the engine, he suddenly collapsed. The Deputy Police Chief, standing nearby, saw the FF/O collapse and notified the Fire Chief, who notified the on-scene ambulance. Ambulance paramedics treated the FF/O and transported him to the local hospital's emergency department (ED). Despite advanced life support for a total of 39 minutes (at the scene, during transport, and in the ED), the FF/O died. The death certificate and the autopsy, completed by the assistant coroner, listed 'hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with coronary insufficiency' as the cause of death. NIOSH investigators conclude that the FF/O's underlying heart condition, coupled with the stress of responding to the alarm and performing fire suppression tasks, probably triggered either a heart attack or a cardiac arrhythmia, resulting in his sudden cardiac death. NIOSH investigators offer recommendations to address general safety and health issues.