Fatality Assesment and Congrol Evaluation (FACE) Investigative Report: One Career Fire Fighter Dies and Another is Injured After Partial Structural Collapse in Texas

摘要

On February 11, 2002, a 42-year-old male career fire fighter (the victim) was killed and another fire fighter was injured in a partial structural collapse while performing suppression operations at an apartment complex under renovation. The victim and three crew members were exiting the complex through a breezeway that connected the fire structure to an uninvolved structure when a section of brick veneer from the uninvolved structure collapsed onto the victim and the injured fire fighter. The injured fire fighter called for help and was freed by fire fighters. A personal accountability report (PAR) was called and it was determined that the victim was missing. A second search found the victim unresponsive and without a pulse beneath a pile of bricks. The victim was extricated, given emergency medical treatment, and transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. NIOSH investigators concluded that to minimize the risk of similar occurrences, fire departments should establish and monitor a collapse zone to ensure that no fire fighting operations take place within this area as part of defensive operations; ensure that an Incident Safety Officer, independent from the Incident Commander, is appointed and on scene early in the fire operation; ensure consistent use of personal alert safety system (PASS) devices at all incidents.