NIOSH Report on 2005 Electrocution
NIOSH has released their report on the electrocution death of a California firefighter in 2005. Here is the executive summary:
On February 13, 2005, a 36-year-old male career Captain (the victim) was electrocuted while working at the scene of a three alarm residential structure fire. The Captain was checking on one of his crew members when he walked under a tree and came in contact with a 12kva power line. The line had burned through early in the fire with one section landing on the ground to the south and the other lodged in a tree near the northwest corner of the fire building. It is believed the victim knew of the downed power line that had fallen to the south. However, it appeared to witnesses that he was unaware of the power line that was hanging in the tree, and possibly did not see the caution tape or hear the warning of a fire fighter who was in the vicinity. He walked directly into the power line and collapsed to the ground. A nearby fire fighter used an ax handle to secure and hold the power line off of the victim while fire fighters pulled him away from the line to a safe area. Advanced life support was administered immediately by emergency medical personnel who were at the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
After looking at the pictures of the incident, it would have been extremely difficult to see the power line that killed this firefighter, especially in the dark. Be sure to read the recommendations in the report and then discuss with your fellow firefighters whether your department complies with them.
Posted June 12, 2006 09:44 AM · Link
· Line of Duty Death
