This section is devoted to those who have been injured or lost their lives in the line of duty with the hope that those who visit this site will PREVENT "HISTORY FROM REPEATING ITSELF" OUR GOAL is for you, as a FIREFIGHTER to LEARN from these "events" and TAKE THE INFORMATION BACK TO YOUR FIREFIGHTERS and SHARE IT WITH THEM!

Each one of these "CLOSE CALLS" can happen ANYWHERE! Each of these FD's thought that "today was gonna just be another day"... just like you and I... and then BAM! Something goes wrong. Please take this information and use it, print it, forward it, post it and do WHATEVER IT TAKES to pass it on and NEVER GIVE UP on focusing on FIREFIGHTER SAFETY! Each CASE STUDY in this section is based upon the writers description of the events.

Be sure to read FIREHOUSE MAGAZINE each month and learn ADDITIONAL LESSONS LEARNED from the CLOSE CALLS COLUMN.

Due to the overwhelming number of Close Calls we receive, we have filed them into 6 main categories. Click on a category to view the Close Calls:

STRUCTURAL

APPARATUS/VEHICLE/HIGHWAY

WILDLAND

TRAINING/DRILLS

HAZMAT

RESCUE/EMS

MISCELLANEOUS

Help in editing and posting submitted FireFighterCloseCalls is by Brian P. Kazmierzak – who started in the fire service in 1991 as a cadet with the Portage Twp. Fire Dept. Brian has been employed by the Clay Fire Territory, in South Bend, IN since 1994 and currently holds the rank of Division Chief of Training & Safety and is the Task Force Leader MABAS Division 201 Tactical Rescue Team. Brian has an Associates Degrees from Indiana University South Bend in Emergency Services Administration and from Ivy Tech State College in Fire Science. Brian also has a Bachelors Degree through Southern Illinois University in Fire Science Management and is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. Brian also serves as the President of the Michiana FOOLS, a Member of Indiana FEMA USAR Task Force 1 and a Board Member of the Indiana Fire Instructors Association.

USE OF INFORMATION FROM FirefighterCloseCalls.com and The Secret List should be passed along to FIREFIGHTERS and those who support (or are supposed to support!) us! Credit shall be given to www.firefighterclosecalls.com and if you are truly committed to firefighter safety, that should be no problem. If you aren't, and you don't give us credit and try to prostitute this stuff as your own, we'll find you and expose you. We Promise. Odd's are... our mailing list is bigger than yours!