LODD info - good report

[breakingsomemirror]

I don't know if anybody saw this article on Firehouse.com last week.

cms.firehouse.com/web/online/News/California-Department-Forced-Back-to-the-Basics/46$62209

It discussed a line-of-duty death report released recently from an incident in 2007 that killed 2 firefighters and 2 civilians. I got curious so I looked up the report and read it.

www.cccfpd.org/press/documents/MICHELE%20LODD%20REPORT%207.17.08.pdf

Long story short, FD responds to a house fire with reported victims trapped. In the end, both victims perish but also two firefighters. What amazes me is that at first I assumed it was probably some lightweight, McMansion that we're all used to reading about. Boy was I wrong! Two guys lost in a house that's less square feet than most condos are nowadays.

If you get a chance, take a look. Some really good information in there. It's NOT a NIOSH report, so don't expect the "same ol', same ol'". This was report they did themselves and from what I can tell, did a pretty good job. Not everything may apply to your department but some of the items they discuss, especially the lack of an ICS and recognition of the 'basics of firefighting' should hit home with everyone.

So far I've done two duty drills with it and everyone has found it interesting.

Take care and stay safe.

[papacheese]

I had glanced through it a while back and was struck by the sense of complacency that seemed to prevail before the incident, what I refer to as the "Pleasantville Syndrome" (nothing bad ever happens here).

It's a tough thing to overcome from anyone's perspective; if you continually harp on it (like I tend to do), then it becomes a case of "crying wolf" too often and everyone tunes you out. On the other hand, if you don't remind everyone of what can happen, then you're not doing your job as a leader or instructor and complacency will inevitibly set in. The trick is in finding that mythical "happy medium"...

I have to admire and respect Contra Costa as well as Loudon County for having the cajones to take an objective look at their operation and not just settle for the "shit happens" or "firefighters are going to get hurt - it's part of the job" mind-set. The thing is, shit DOES happen....and we can't always predict it. The real tragedy occurs when an organization chooses to deliberately ignore the situation and continue doing something wrong "because that's the we we've always done it".

Another thought struck me as I went through the report quickly; there are some who think that they don't need to manage their air, since the structure is small and they can exit quickly. Maybe they need to think again....

[voyager9]

Another very good read and another example of how the "bread & butter jobs" are the ones that get us. To also agree with Mirror's, the passing of command over the radio and subsequent lack of an IC led to the lack of coordination and accountability.

I think the situation warranted passing command via radio, due to the report of victims but the lesson I take away is that you gotta make sure its acknowledged...