During the devastating Cedar Fire in San Diego County in Oct of 2003, One of the largest WUI fires to date, with 6000 firefighters engaged, which resulted in 15 deaths and destroyed 2820 structures. One FF died and several others were injured performing structure protection activities. Please listen as we review the official NIOSH report and learn about this WUI LODD.
On Oct 17 of 2021 a Montreal Firefighter drowned during a water rescue operation at night in swift water. This incident was similar to another water rescue capsize in 2010 the same agency suffered. Please listen and learn more, this was a High Risk-Low Frequency incident where situation awareness was impaired.
In September of 2024 an intermodal container (Sea Can) exploded and killed a Battalion Chief when the tractor unit hauling it caught fire on a local highway during suppression efforts. Please join us to learn about this relatively unknown hazard to firefighters from Inter Modal containers, the second LODD I know of from these in recent history.
In September of 2016 a gas leak at a house coincidentally beings used as a grow op lab, exploded, killing Battalion Chief Fahy of the FDNY. Please join Doug, Denys and I to learn more.
In the evening of August 2007, Boston Fire was called to a fire in a local restaurant and found a fire in the kitchen ceiling. The rapidly escalating incident claimed the lives of two firefighters. Please join me and my co-hosts Doug and Denys to listen and learn more about this double LODD.
In July of 2009 a firefighter from the Scottish Fire Service died after becoming disoriented and trapped, running out of air during a complex firefight in a local Pub with apartments above. During the fire numerous rescues were performed with portable and aerial ladders due to the smoke filled hallway and single stairway. Insufficient staffing, a well involved cellar fire and lack of pre-plans and a 360 contributed to this incident.
In July of 2010 a large fire at a rural industrial food production facility in rural Texas, resulted in the death of a 30yr old Captain. Lack of fire suppression systems, water supplies, pre-planning and Incident command were contributing factors.
Short episode for the end of June, a rare solo recording. In June of 2011 a Muncie Indiana firefighter was killed and several others injured when the roof of a rural church collapsed during the firefight, with limited water supplies and personnel.
In this episode we review the unique LODD of a chief officer from an Electrical Arc Flash event that occurred in a local large retail occupancy. Please listen and learn about this incident.
In May of 2002, two St. Louis, MO. firefighters were killed and another injured, during a firefight in a 2 story vacant commercial building. Air management and SCBA malfunctions were identified as potential contributing factors to these deaths. Please join us to listen and learn more.
In May of 2023 two firefighters drowned during a water rescue attempt in the small parish of Saint-Urbain, Quebec. This incident exposed many deficiencies in Emergency planning, Preparedness, Mutual Aid and Training and Equipment. Please join Denys and I to listen and learn about this tragic incident.
In April of 2017, a FDNY firefighter fell from the aerial platform that he was operating during a multi-family dwelling fire. Similar to the 2009 Texas LODD incident, the platform got caught on the parapet wall of the building.
On a windy April afternoon in 2005 in the small town of Evanston, Wyoming two volunteer firefighters died during a residential fire in a townhouse searching for two children. This fire in a community and home that could be anywhere in North America is worth learning about. Please join us and listen in.
This week we are on the tailboard, talking about the recent Mega-Warehouse fire report and recommendations, produced by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. With one of the authors of the report (Ret) Chief Gordon Routley, who joins Denys, Doug and me to chat about this significant report.
In March of 2012 a volunteer firefighter Lieutenant died and several others were injured when a bowstring truss roof collapsed on a crew working inside the burning building.
This new segment of the podcast features incidents from the archives, the last century. This month it is Pittston PA in March 1993 where two FFs died in an old commercial building, With NFFF investigator Gordon Routley. Please join us to learn about this incident.
In March of 2021 a firefighter died during a very complex fire and rescue operation at an assisted living facility in Rockland NY. 117 residents and staff we rescued while fighting a delayed alarm deep seated fire in an old multiple building structure, with inadequate water supplies. The incident was a significant event, that we all need to prepare for. Please listen and learn more. thank you.
On this Tailboard talk bonus episode, a few of us get together to review some of the statistics and discuss the recently released Interior Firefighting Fatalities report from the NFPA and related fire service trends. Credit to NFPA for the graphics and report.
In February of 2007, a probationary firefighter recruit died during a live fire training exercise in an acquired structure. Numerous preventable factors played significant roles in this unnecessary tragedy. Please listen to learn more and prevent recurrence.
In 2010 and 2015 a pair of LODD's occurred in Ontario, Canada during Ice rescue and Swift water training evolutions. We have pieced together an episode about these incidents and the resulting inquiries, and reports. Please listen and learn about these to prevent recurrence.