11/26/2012
Barn fire incident: 6822 W Kanagy Rd, Salem Twp, Champaign County, Ohio. 41
y/o FF Steve Rabenstein suffered serious shoulder injury when curtain wall
collapsed. FF was not wearing PPE at time of incident. West Liberty Fire
Dept. responded to this fire at approx. 1243 hrs, with mutual aid assist from
Macochee EMS, Urbana FD, Tri-Valley Fire/EMS, and NE Champaign Fire/EMS. This
property has had a history of barn fires, with at least four known incidents.
EMS commander at scene (also a FF) witnessed at least one other wall collapse
prior to the one that caused the injury, fire command took no actions and did
not modify operations. Injured FF and most others were not in complete PPE
while engaged in fire suppression operations. Civilians were not excluded
from the fire scene. FF Rabenstein was assessed by EMS at scene, but opted to
be transported to ER by private vehicle. FF Rabenstein, who has given more
than 20 years of service as a volunteer FF and EMT, is recovering at home.
(Photos of fire scene available if you want them)
-
Command must post lookouts when structural collapse is a possibility,
consider implementing wildland LCES system - Collapse zone guidelines must be
followed for personnel and apparatus - All firefighters must wear complete
PPE when conducting fire operations - Command must actually command,
firefighter safety depends on it - Civilians must be kept clear of the fire
scene, even the property owner - Firefighters should not be engaged in
potentially dangerous operations when there is no life or property to be
saved
