cortland incident - fire engineering · at 1323 on 3/29/2015, fresno fire department dispatch...

Sunday March 29, 2015 Cortland Informational Summary

Informational Summary

Cortland Incident

Fresno City Fire Department

Residential Structure Fire

3/29/2015

Incident # CA-FRN- 5017063

A Board of Review has not approved this Informational Summary Report. It is intended as a safety and training tool,

an aid to preventing future occurrences, and to inform interested parties. Because it is published on such a short

time frame, the information contained herein is subject to revision as further investigation is conducted and additional

information is developed.


SUMMARY

The Crew of Truck 4 was assigned to ventilate a single-story, single-family residential structure involved in fire. While on the roof assessing the structure for ventilation there was a catastrophic roof failure over the garage. The Fire Captain on Truck 4 assigned to ventilate fell through the roof into the garage. The Truck 4 Captain was extricated by two Firefighters from Engine 5 assigned to Fire Attack, a Firefighter and Engineer from Truck 11 who had no assignment, and a Firefighter from Engine 9 assigned to open the garage door. The Truck 4 Captain sustained significant burn injuries.

CONDITIONS

Temperature: 79 Fahrenheit

Wind: North West at 5 miles per hour (mph)

Relative Humidity: 33%

Interactive Map: http://wxug.us/1o0ht

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

At 1323 on 3/29/2015, Fresno Fire Department Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a residential fire at 1310 E. Cortland, Fresno CA. At 1324, Engines 5, 9, 20; Trucks 4 and 11; and Battalion 1 were directed to respond to 1310 E. Cortland. Upon arrival at 1326, Engine 5 assumed command and gave a size-up reporting heavy smoke showing, possibly in the attic and secured a water supply. Engine 5 assigned Truck 4 to ventilation with their crew of four, Engine 20 with two Firefighters from Engine 5 to Fire Attack and 2/out, Engine 9 with a crew of four to utilities and forcible entry on the garage door, and Truck 11 staged with their crew of four. Battalion 3 was not assigned to the call but was in the area and arrived to assist as needed. The Truck 4 Captain led the way to the roof with a rubbish hook followed by the Truck 4 Firefighter with a saw. The Truck 4 Engineer footed the ladder and the Rescue 4 Engineer prepped the second saw for operation. Truck 4 Captain sounded his way to the ridge, then north towards the garage. As he sounded and walked from over the home to over the garage, the roof experienced a catastrophic failure and he fell into the garage. At 1332, Engine 5 reported a Firefighter down into the garage and initiated a Mayday; Battalion 1 completed the Mayday, called for the emergency alert tones, and assumed command. Battalion 3 assumed RIC Operations and directed EMS to stage on Del Mar and Cortland to receive the Firefighter. The Firefighter on Truck 4, with the assistance of the Rescue 4 Engineer, completed four ventilation holes prior to exiting the roof of the structure. The two Firefighters on Fire Attack from Engine 5 heard the Mayday and repositioned their hose line to affect a rescue via the rear garage door on the B side of the structure. Truck 11 assumed Rapid Intervention; the Engineer and a Firefighter from Truck 11 followed the hose line that led to the rear garage man door and assisted the two Firefighters in the process of removing the Truck 4 Captain from the garage. A Firefighter from Engine 9 made entry from the north via the garage door and assisted

http://wxug.us/1o0ht


with the extrication of the Truck 4 Captain. The Truck 4 Captain was removed from the garage via the rear man door on the B side of the structure. His mask was removed and airway confirmed to be clear. He was then moved to the A side driveway, where the remainder of his gear was removed and he was further assessed. EMS arrived and patient care was transferred to them. Fresno Fire Department sent two riders to the Community Regional Medical Center to assist with patient care.

INJURIES/DAMAGES

Injuries:

Second and third degree burns to over 65% of Truck 4 Captain

Damage:

All of Truck 4 Captain’s PPE is condemned

1 SCBA and Mask

1 Motorola Radio, Mic, Holster and Strap

1 Rubbish Hook

KEY POINTS FOR REVIEW

Communications: Effective sending and receiving of critical information is necessary to execute the complex operations involved on the fire ground.

Equipment: Appropriate PPE will be worn as indicated by the incident.

Command: Communication of incident objectives and the mode of operation throughout the incident are imperative for scene management. The early establishment of Two-In/Two-Out expedited the removal of the downed Firefighter.

INCIDENTAL ISSUES/LESSONS LEARNED

An investigation conducted by an independent Severe Accident Response Team (SART) is under way and will present any improvement opportunities/ lessons learned upon completion of that report.


General location Specific location

A Side (North) B Side of garage (East)


CB Corner & B Side C Side (South)

D Side (West) Aerial view of structure from AD corner

Location of roof failure Location of ventilation holes


View of roof from the south Rear garage man door

Apparatus placement on scene at the time of the Mayday

cortland incident - fire engineering · at 1323 on 3/29/2015, fresno fire department dispatch...

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