The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Firefighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program recently issued reports on a Pennsylvania career firefighter's death in structural collapse during the overhaul of a house fire (F2003-04) and a Tennessee volunteer training/safety officer's death after falling from a moving pickup truck (F2003-17). The complete reports are posted at www.cdc.gov/niosh/firehome.html.

On Jan. 20, 2003, a 22-year-old male career firefighter was fatally injured after being trapped during a structural collapse following a house fire in Pennsylvania. The victim was performing overhaul on the first floor when a chimney fell, causing a structural collapse. The victim and two other firefighters became trapped under the debris of the chimney and second floor. The victim was removed from the collapse within 10 minutes. He was transported via helicopter to a regional hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The medical examiner's report listed the victim's cause of death as compressional asphyxia as a result of being trapped from falling debris.

Based on its investigation, NIOSH suggests that fire departments should:

• Ensure that an assessment of the stability and safety of the structure (roofs, ceilings, partitions, load-bearing walls, floors, and chimneys) is conducted before entering fire- and water-damaged structures for overhaul operations.
• Establish and monitor a collapse zone to ensure that no activities take place within this area as part of overhaul 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 devices even during overhaul operations.
• Ensure that firefighters who enter hazardous areas, such as suspected unsafe structures during overhaul, be equipped with two-way communications with incident command. On May 18, 2003, in Tennessee, a 28-year-old male volunteer training/safety officer was seriously injured when he fell from a moving pick-up truck. He had completed a three-day training course and at the time of the incident was being transported within the training grounds. The victim was riding on the lowered tailgate of the truck when he fell onto the road.

He suffered severe head trauma and was treated at the scene by fellow firefighter/EMTs and on-site emergency medical services. The victim was transported by medical helicopter to a local trauma center where he died from his injuries six days later.

The death certificate listed the cause of death as blunt force injury to the head.

NIOSH recommends that fire departments should:

• Ensure that all on-duty personnel being transported be securely seated and restrained in approved vehicle passenger compartments.
• Provide mandatory pre-placement and annual medical evaluations, consistent with NFPA 1582, Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments, for all firefighters to determine medical fitness for duty and training exercises.
• Conduct periodic physical capabilities testing to ensure that fire department personnel meet the physical requirements for duty and training exercises.

Also, although it is unclear if a medical or physical condition contributed to this fatal incident, NIOSH recommended departments consider implementing these safety and health recommendations based on the physical demands and medical requirements of firefighting.