We regret to
advise you that Paramedic Chris Staggs, 35, of Lenore, from STAT
EMS stationed in Williamson in Mingo County died in the Line of Duty on
Saturday. Paramedic Staggs had a seizure and crashed his ambulance. Staggs hit
a wall along 4th Avenue, then went up on a sidewalk, collided with the steps of
a church and then crashed into an awning of a business and finally ended up
smashing into home on 5th Avenue. Paramedic Staggs was taken to the hospital
but later died from his injuries.
Our condolences to
all affected. RIP.
APPARATUS
SAFETY & SURVIVAL UPDATE:
OHIO
FIREFIGHTER FILES SUIT FOLLOWING CRUSHING ACCIDENT AND LOSS OF HIS
LEGS-----LACK OF TRAINING CLAIMED.
Washington Township (Ohio) Firefighter Josef Tadijanac has
filed a civil suit against Jefferson Township-Bellville Fire Department
and 3 of its personnel for injuries he sustained while operating
at a June 24 fire when he was pinned between fire apparatus. The
suit was filed against the JTBFD and it's Chief Craig Roberts and
Firefighters Scott Gerhart and Isaiah Finley.
Here
are the details:
FF Tadijanac arrived at the fire in Troy Township,
where he was instructed to assist in pumping/tanker ops. FF Tadijanac
positioned himself at the rear of Tanker 145, owned by the Troy Township FD. The
vehicle owned by the defendant, Jefferson Township-Bellville Fire Department
Tanker 121, was positioned directly behind Tanker 145. The intent was to
transfer water from Tanker 121 to Tanker 145. Tanker 121 was being operated by
defendants Gerhart and Finley when, according to court documents, it
suddenly moved forward, pinning FF Tadijanac him between the two vehicles.
The lawsuit states FF Gerhart was the driver of Tanker 121
and was operating the pumping system on Tanker 121 when it began to move forward.
Finley was assisting him. The lawsuit claims failure to properly operate and
control Tanker 121 and failure to properly maintain and inspect Tanker 121, and
claims the plaintiff’s injuries were the direct result of acts and omissions of
the Jefferson Township-Bellville Fire Department. The complaint claims
the firefighters were not properly trained.
As you may remember, FF Tadijanac suffered above-the-knee
amputations, organ system failures, vision loss and cognitive dysfunction, the
suit alleges. He has required multiple surgeries and ongoing medical care, and
has endured suffering, emotional distress and anxiety, all of which have
rendered him disabled and unable to perform customary activities. We'll keep
you advised on this case.
==DRIVER
REMINDERS: Do a walk around...make sure the wheels are chocked...make
sure the truck in the correct gear position....brake secure?
==CHIEF
REMINDERS: What training exists for new drivers? Who certifies it? What
are the annual driver training requirements? Who are the SOP's related to
apparatus?
MARYLAND
FIREFIGHTERS HURT-SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING FIRE (AUDIO & VIDEO)
Yesterday at 1625 hours, Firefighters from Bay District, PAX
River, Hollywood, and Valley Lee were alerted to a report of a house fire in
the 21000 block of Garfield Street in Great Mills. Companies arrived on scene
to discover a single story, single family home with fire and heavy smoke
showing.
One Firefighter was taken by MSP (Helicopter) Trooper 7 to an area trauma
center for smoke inhalation. Another firefighter was treated and released at
the scene for leg injuries after falling through the floor and then having to
evacuate through a window. All personnel are NLT injuries.
The bail out through a window (behind the tree to
the right of the front porch) occurs at about 4:50 in the video. Click through
the series of still pictures at http://smnewsnet.com/archives/35576 (MORE LINKS BELOW)
The
mayday is announced at 7:13 on the audio recording below.
Another active duty Firefighter has passed away from
cancer. Eaton's Neck (Suffolk Co, Long Island, NY) FD Assistant Chief
Kevin Brandon, 52, passed away on Nov. 13 after a year-long battle with cancer.
Chief Brandon, 52, was a dedicated member who quickly moved up the officers
ranks becoming second assistant chief two years ago. He also previously served
as a Firefighter with the Merrick FD in Nassau County. Our condolences to
all affected. RIP.
