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FIRE DEPARTMENT CITED IN FIRE THAT CRITICALLY INJURED 3 FIREFIGHTERS…So You Really Want To Be A Chief / I.C?

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When we first saw this report, I was thinking the subtitle could be:
 
“So You Want To Be A Fire Incident Commander/Fire Chief?”
 
….and that’s because when you look at what the FD was cited for, it is a firm reminder that this is a serious job for all leaders in the fire service. No, really. 24/7/365-constant focus, training, evaluation….Every department is potentially one fire away from everything going sideways unless there is a constant, aggressive leadership lead plan to minimize sideways going activities. 
 
WHAT HAPPENED? At this fire, 3 Firefighters beca,e lost on the second floor of the apartment building, declared a mayday, jumped from a second floor window, and suffered serious injuries that led to their hospitalization….
 
As a result of the state investigation. the fire department was issued multiple citations for violations. Here are a FEW of what they were cited for:
 
-Lack of fire inspections
-Lack of adequate pre-plans.
-Lack of policies.
-Lack of incident command procedures/training.
-Lack of firefighter training.
-Failure to size up.
-Lack of hoselines/taglines
-Failure to use TIC’s.
-Lack of proper equipment.
-No rapid intervention crew.
-Lack of radios for all members operating interior.
An Illinois state report (link below) investigating a Beardstown (Illinois) apartment fire in May of 2021 that left three firefighters seriously injured was released on Wednesday and identified the direct cause of the firefighters’ injuries as “exposure to a fall hazard of approximately 21 feet from an emergency bailout due to rapidly deteriorating fire conditions.”

In its report, the Illinois Department of Labor’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (IL-OSHA) also revealed key factors that contributed to the Beardstown Fire Department firefighters’ injuries.

As a result of the investigation. the fire department was issued multiple citations for violations.

The IL-OSHA said its inspectors arrived the scene one day after the fire to investigate the circumstances that led to the three firefighters becoming lost on the second floor of the apartment building, declaring a mayday, jumping from a second floor window, and suffering serious injuries that led to their hospitalization.

The fire department was issued eight citations for violations of the fire brigades standard and respiratory protection standard. Two citations were classified as repeat violations with monetary penalties, according to the report, according to the IL-OSHA. Additionally, the IL-OSHA provided 19 recommendations to reduce the chances of a similar outcome in the future.

HERE Is The Report: https://tinyurl.com/3j2vb5va

This report is another dose of reality/reminder of just how serious the role of Firefighter, Fire Officer, Chief Officer and Incident Commander. is…and another chance for every one of us to further learn…and never stop.

RELATED VIDEOS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4VNSl2m-aM

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Take Care. Be Careful. Pass it On.