Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report: Fire Apparatus Driver Operator Suffers Fatal Cardiac Event During Fire Department Training - Maryland, FACE-F2014-20.

摘要

On May 30, 2014, a 58-year-old Fire Apparatus Driver Operator (FADO) participated in his fire department's (FD's) annual physical ability test, known as their "physical readiness assessment." The physical readiness assessment (PRA) involved completion of an untimed event of eight job tasks. Following this assessment, the FADO attempted a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) maze drill. The FADO completed the eight job tasks without difficulty, but had sudden onset of severe shortness of breath during the SCBA maze drill. While in the maze, the FADO collapsed. The FADO was removed from the maze training prop and on-scene emergency medical service (EMS) began advanced cardiac life support and transported the FADO to the emergency department (ED). Despite resuscitation efforts on-scene, during transport, and in the ED, the FADO died. The death certificate and autopsy report, both completed by the Medical Examiner's office, listed the cause of death as "atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease." The autopsy reported moderate to severe focal coronary artery atherosclerosis, an enlarged heart (cardiomegaly), and left ventricular hypertrophy. Based on the autopsy findings and the clinical scenario, NIOSH investigators conclude that the physical exertion associated with the physical readiness assessment and SCBA maze training triggered the FADO's sudden cardiac death.