Mayday – A Mayday was called for a firefighter after he fell into a sewage treatment tank while fighting a fire.
On Friday, December 10th, at 12:33, crews were dispatched to a reported fire in a laundry house near the pool of a condominium complex. On arrival, crews reported smoke showing from the eves of a 2-story commercial structure, established command, and transmitted they were making an offensive attack. Command was immediately assumed by the next-in company officer who conducted a 360.
The 2-story, nondescript building, was approximately a 50’ x 40’ windowless structure, clad in vinyl siding, and did not have any signage. Crews forced entry through the Alpha side door and darkened down the fire from the exterior prior to advancing the line. During his 360, the incident commander reported that they were making progress on the fire. The three individuals were less than 10’ inside the door when the second firefighter thought that he had fallen through the floor and then realized he was submerged in water. He was able to grab hold of what he thought was the edge of the floor but turned out to be the edge of 3’ wide wooded bridge over two wastewater treatment tanks. The third firefighter inside saw what was happening and grabbed the firefighter by his arm and coat but was unable to lift him out or transmit a Mayday. They got the attention of the officer on the nozzle who called a mayday and then assisted in attempting to lift the downed firefighter from the tank. It was not until another firefighter from the exterior assisted and the three were able to lift the firefighter out of the tank and exited the structure.
LESSONS LEARNED:
| Firefighters that have been in this district for over 25 years were unaware this structure existed. It has now been learned that Missouri’s DNR regulates these facilities. Among other safety requirements, regulations require signage on all four side of the structure and 42″ railing on all walkways over tanks. 1) DNR is cooperating and has provided addresses of all permitted indoor waste treatment facilities in the Fire District. We will conduct on-site observation and report delinquencies to DNR and to the property owners. 2) Even though original dispatch stated the fire was in a “laundry facility”, a proper size -up is essential. The mayday happened so early into the incident, a RIT had not been established. Proper PPE donned by exterior crews was essential so that they could immediately assist. Insist on-scene firefighter 3) Know the dangers inside your response district. |
