Download or read book Driver operator Suffers Fatal Heart Attack While Responding to Structure Fire North Carolina written by Carin VanGelder and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 26 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On January 31, 2009, a 58-year-old volunteer fire fighter [also the Driver/Operator (D/O) for this incident] responded to a structure fire. While driving the engine/tanker to the fire scene, the D/O developed severe chest pain. Upon arrival at the fire scene, the D/O was evaluated by a paramedic who emergently arranged ambulance transport. During transport an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) was diagnosed by electrocardiogram (ECG) and upon arrival at the local hospital's emergency department (ED), the D/O received emergent thrombolytic therapy. With no improvement in his clinical condition, the D/O was airlifted to a larger hospital for emergency cardiac catheterization. During the cardiac catheterization the D/O suffered a cardiac arrest and resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. The death certificate, completed by the treating cardiologist, listed "cardiogenic shock" as the cause of death with acute myocardial infarction" as a contributing condition. No autopsy was performed. The NIOSH investigators concluded the physiologic demands associated with the emergency response to a structure fire probably triggered the D/O's heart attack and subsequent cardiac death.

Download or read book Driver operator fire Fighter Suffers a Heart Attack and Dies While Supporting Fire Suppression Activities New York written by Thomas R. Hales and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 8 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On April 29, 1998, a 49-year-old male driver/operator/fire fighter complained of chest pain while supporting fire suppression activities at a high-rise apartment building. Despite treatment by on-scene fire fighters (trained and certified as first responders) and ambulance paramedics, and CPR and ACLS administered by the hospital emergency department, the victim died. NIOSH was notified of this fatality on May 4, 1998, by the United States Fire Administration. On June 3, 2000, NIOSH contacted the affected fire department (FD) to initiate the investigation. On June 26, 2000, an occupational physician from the NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation Team Traveled to New York to conduct an onsite investigation of the incident.

Download or read book Driver operator fire Fighter Suffers a Heart Attack and Dies While Supporting Fire Suppression Activities New York written by Thomas Hales (M.D.) and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 8 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Fire Fighter driver Operator Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death After Responding to a Residential Burning Odor Call Illinois written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 28 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On November 11, 2012, a 61-year-old male career driver/operator ("D/O") and his truck company (Truck 40) were dispatched at 2205 hours to a three-story apartment building for a report of a burning odor. At the scene, the D/O set up the ladder and carried a ventilation saw to the roof. Fire fighters inside the building determined the smoke was caused by cooking and notified the D/O that ventilation was not necessary. When the D/O descended the ladder and reached the ground he was breathing rapidly. His shortness of breath persisted during the return trip to the fire station. While cleaning Truck 40 at the station, the D/O's shortness of breath worsened, and he reported some chest pain to crew members. They gave him oxygen and summoned an ambulance. The ambulance paramedics began treatment for pulmonary edema with oxygen, diuretics, and nitroglycerin and transported the D/O to the hospital's emergency department (ED). Shortly after arriving in the ED, the D/O had a cardiac arrest. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was started followed by advanced life support including intubation with 100% oxygen. After 40 minutes in the ED, the D/O was pronounced dead at 2321 hours, and resuscitation efforts were stopped. The death certificate and autopsy report listed "hypertensive cardiovascular disease" as the cause of death with "coronary atherosclerosis" as a contributing factor. Additional autopsy findings included coronary artery disease, cardiomegaly (enlarged heart), and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Given the D/O's underlying heart disease, NIOSH investigators concluded that the physical stress of responding to the call and ascending/descending the aerial ladder to the roof of a three-story building probably triggered his sudden cardiac death. NIOSH investigators offer the following recommendations to address safety and health issues and prevent similar incidents in the future. Provide annual medical evaluations to all fire fighters consistent with NFPA 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments. Conduct exercise stress tests into the fire department medical evaluation program for fire fighters at increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). Provide fire fighters with medical clearance to wear a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) as part of the fire department's medical evaluation program. Phase in a mandatory comprehensive wellness and fitness program for fire fighters. Perform an annual physical performance (physical ability) evaluation for all members.

Download or read book Fire Chief Suffers Cardiac Arrest at Brush Fire North Carolina written by Denise L. Smith and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 13 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On March 3, 2013, a 44-year-old Fire Chief experienced coughing, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing while functioning as incident commander at a brush fire. The Chief drove himself to an on-scene ambulance and requested assistance. On-scene emergency medical service (EMS) personnel performed an initial assessment, initiated care, and began transport. En route to the emergency department (ED), the Chief suffered cardiac and respiratory arrest. Despite cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the ambulance for about 60 minutes, the Chief died. The death certificate and autopsy report, both completed by the County Medical Examiner's office, listed the cause of death as "atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease." The autopsy revealed a massively enlarged heart with severe coronary atherosclerosis. Given the presentation of his illness and his underlying heart disease discovered at autopsy, the Chief's respiratory distress was probably due to acute exacerbation of undiagnosed heart failure, precipitated by any of the following: a hypertensive crisis, ischemia, a heart attack, or a primary arrhythmia. NIOSH offers the following recommendations to reduce the risk of heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrest among fire fighters at this and other fire departments across the country. Ensure that all fire fighters receive an annual medical evaluation consistent with NFPA 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments. Ensure fire fighters are cleared for duty by a physician knowledgeable about the physical demands of firefighting, the personal protective equipment used by fire fighters, and the various components of NFPA 1582. Phase in a mandatory comprehensive wellness and fitness program for fire fighters.

Download or read book Fire Chief Suffers Fatal Heart Attack While Responding to a Structure Fire Pennsylvania written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 12 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: (3) Ensure fire fighters are cleared for return to duty by a physician knowledgeable about the physical demands of firefighting, the personal protective equipment used by fire fighters, and the various components of NFPA 1582. (4) Phase in a comprehensive wellness and fitness program for fire fighters to reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease and improve cardiovascular capacity. (5) Perform an annual physical performance (physical ability) evaluation to ensure fire fighters are physically capable of performing the essential job tasks of structural firefighting. (6) Provide fire fighters with medical clearance to wear a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) as part of the Fire Department's medical evaluation program.

Download or read book Fire Chief Suffers Fatal Heart Attack While Fighting a Residential Structure Fire Arkansas written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 16 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On the morning of January 28, 2014, a 53-year-old male career fire chief ("Chief") began his 9-hour shift. During the morning he spent over an hour fighting a grass fire using an attack line to knock down the flames and then wildland fire suppression tools to extinguish hot spots. During the ride back to the fire station, the Chief reported experiencing heartburn. At 1214 hours, the Chief used his command vehicle to respond to another grass fire. When the Chief arrived, the fire had spread to the land owner's residence. While waiting for the fire department's engine to arrive, the Chief began exterior fire attack. Once the engine arrived, the Chief and a lieutenant donned their self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and began interior fire attack. During the attack, the Chief appeared sluggish and somewhat disoriented and did not communicate well. After about 15 minutes, the Chief's and the lieutenant's SCBA low air alarms sounded, and both exited the structure. Once outside, the Chief reported feeling sick and called the emergency medical services (EMS) director who recommended he come to their headquarters for an electrocardiogram (EKG). The Chief drove the command vehicle to headquarters with a mutual aid fire fighter as a passenger. He underwent an EKG, which revealed changes consistent with an acute heart attack. He was loaded into an ambulance for transport to the emergency department (ED) (1423 hours). Approximately 5 minutes into the transport, the Chief suffered cardiac arrest. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and advanced life support were begun, which included multiple defibrillation attempts, intubation, intravenous line placement, and cardiac resuscitation medications. The Chief was still in cardiac arrest when the ambulance arrived at the ED (1441 hours). After approximately 10 minutes of treatment in the ED, the Chief regained a heart rhythm and pulse. He was taken (1522 hours) to the cardiac catheterization lab where he was found to have 100% blockage of his proximal left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty successfully opened the blockage; a stent was placed to keep the LAD artery open. Approximately 1 hour after being transferred to the intensive care unit, the Chief suffered another cardiac arrest (1735 hours). Subsequent resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the Chief was pronounced dead at 1800 hours. The death certificate and autopsy report, both completed by the associate state medical examiner, listed "hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease" as the cause of death. Given the Chief's underlying heart disease, NIOSH investigators concluded that the physical stress of performing interior fire suppression in turnout gear with SCBA probably triggered his heart attack.

Download or read book Assistant Chief Suffers Sudden Fatal Heart Attack While Operating an Engine at a Residential Structure Fire Pennsylvania written by Tommy Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 13 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On November 20, 2013, at 2311 hours, a 58-year-old male volunteer assistant fire chief ("the AC") responded to a structure fire. After driving Engine 9 to the scene, he prepared to charge a 2-inch handline when he developed difficulty breathing, nausea, and vomiting. About 5 minutes later crew members noted the AC having difficulty prepping the handline, and the fire chief requested an ambulance. The ambulance arrived 2 minutes later, and emergency medical technicians began basic life support. Oxygen was given via bag-valve-mask as the AC was placed onto a stretcher. The AC became unresponsive 20 seconds later (2334 hours). The AC was placed into the ambulance as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) began. En route to the hospital's emergency department (ED), an automated external defibrillator (AED) advised to shock, and a shock was administered without a change in the AC's clinical status. Paramedics from an advanced life support unit met the ambulance en route (2338 hours) at which time the AC was intubated, intraosseous venous access was obtained, and advanced cardiovascular life support resuscitation protocols were initiated. The AC was still in cardiac arrest (asystole) when the ambulance arrived at the ED (2355 hours). After approximately 5 minutes of treatment in the ED, the AC was pronounced dead at 0000 hours on November 21, 2013. The death certificate completed by the county coroner listed "acute myocardial infarction" as the cause of death. The autopsy completed by the forensic pathologist revealed an acute plaque rupture and thrombus in the AC's right coronary artery, severe coronary artery disease (CAD), an old (remote) heart attack, and stents in the left anterior descending coronary artery and circumflex coronary artery. Given the AC's underlying heart disease, NIOSH investigators concluded that responding to the structure fire and the physical stress of operating the engine's pump panel probably triggered the AC's heart attack, which resulted in his death.

Download or read book Volunteer Fire Fighter Suffers Cardiac Arrest While Battling a Structure Fire New York written by Lisa N. Anderson and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 11 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The death certificate completed by the medical examiner listed the immediate cause of death as an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) with physical exertion in a hot, humid environment listed as a contributing cause. An autopsy was not performed. NIOSH investigators concluded that the FF's heavy physical exertion, coupled with his probable underlying coronary artery disease (CAD) triggered his sudden cardiac death. It is unlikely the following recommendations could have prevented the FF's death. Nonetheless, the NIOSH investigators offer these recommendations to reduce the risk of on-the-job heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrest among fire fighters: -Expand the current annual medical evaluation requirement to include Driver/Operators.

Download or read book Fire Apparatus Operator Suffers Fatal Heart Attack During Annual Fire Department Medical Evaluatin Missouri written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 16 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On January 7, 2011, a 54-year-old male career Fire Apparatus Operator (FAO) participated in the Fire Department (FD) mandatory annual medical evaluation program scheduled while the FAO and his crew were on-duty. After completing several portions of the evaluation, the FAO began the exercise stress test component. After exercising for 3 minutes, 10 seconds, the FAO developed a life threatening arrhythmia (ventricular tachycardia), and the test was stopped. While being assisted to the examination table and while an ambulance was summoned, the FAO lost consciousness. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and advanced life support (ALS) were administered at the medical clinic, in the ambulance, and in the hospital's emergency department (ED). In the ED, the FAO regained a heart rhythm, and an electrocardiogram (EKG) showed signs consistent with a heart attack (myocardial infarction). The FAO was taken to the catheterization lab with a very low blood pressure (cardiogenic shock). A 95% blockage of one of his main coronary arteries was opened via angioplasty and a stent. While still in the catheterization lab, the FAO suffered another cardiac arrest from which he could not be revived. The death certificate and the autopsy listed "atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease" as the cause of death. Given the FAO's severe underlying heart disease, NIOSH investigators concluded that the physical exertion involved in the exercise stress test probably triggered a heart attack resulting in the FAO's death. NIOSH investigators offer the following recommendations to address general safety and health issues. It is unclear, however, if these recommendations would have prevented the FAO's death. Ensure fire fighters are cleared for return to duty by a healthcare provider knowledgeable about the physical demands of fire fighting, the personal protective equipment used by fire fighters, and the various components of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582. Ensure that all members participate in the Fire Department's mandatory wellness/fitness program. Perform an annual physical performance (physical ability) evaluation. Notify the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the clinic defibrillator was not working properly.

Download or read book Fire Equipment Operator Suffers a Heart Attack at the Scene of a Medical Call and Dies in the Hospital Thirteen Days Later South Carolina written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 12 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On January 7, 2005, a 41-year-old male career Fire Equipment Operator (FEO) responded to a medical call for an unconscious person. Arriving on the scene, he entered the dwelling and found a person who had been deceased for quite some time. Shortly after exiting the dwelling, he lost consciousness. He regained consciousness when the ambulance arrived and was transported to the hospital's emergency department (ED). In the ED, he was noted to have an acute heart attack and emergent cardiac catheterization and angioplasty were performed. Despite these procedures and other advanced life support (ALS) measures the FEO died 13 days later. The death certificate, completed by the attending physician, listed "myocardial infarction" due to "renal failure" due to "stroke" as the cause of death. No autopsy was performed.

Download or read book Firefighter Suffers Fatal Heart Attack at Fire Station After Returning from a Fire Alarm New York written by Denise L. Smith and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 12 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On April 5, 2013, at 0800 hours, a 57-year-old male career firefighter (FF) began his 24-hour shift. As the Acting Lieutenant for his company, the FF and his crew responded to two emergency medical calls during the day and early evening. The FF spent much of the evening in the officer's bunk room but had ice cream with a crew member before retiring for the evening at approximately 2100 hours. At 0021 hours, on April 6, the FF and his crew responded to an automatic fire alarm at a local college fraternity house. While investigating the cause of the automatic alarm activation, the FF climbed five flights of stairs in full personal protective equipment (PPE), including his self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). When the crew returned to the station at approximately 0045 hours, the FF complained of indigestion. The FF was last seen alive at approximately 0100 hours when he retired to his bunk room. At 0656 hours the crew was dispatched to a medical alarm, but the FF did not respond. When the crew returned to the fire house at 0715 hours, the FF was found unresponsive in his bunk room. He had no pulse, no respirations, was cool to the touch, and had signs of lividity and rigor. Per emergency medical service protocol, the FF was pronounced dead on scene. The death certificate, completed by the County Coroner, listed the cause of death as "cardiac arrhythmia, due to myocardial infarction, as a consequence of severe arteriosclerotic heart disease." The autopsy revealed severe coronary atherosclerosis with evidence of acute plaque rupture with hemorrhage; these findings are consistent with an acute heart attack.

Download or read book Driver operator Suffers a Cardiac Arrest During a Wildland Fire Exercise written by Kristen Sexson and published by . This book was released on 2001 with total page 10 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Fire Chief Suffers Heart Attack While Fighting a Structure Fire and Dies Mississippi written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 12 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On March 4, 2012, a 45-year-old male volunteer fire chief ("the Chief") was dispatched to a residential structure fire. At the scene, the Chief assisted in exterior fire suppression operations for about 30 minutes. Smoke exposure was intermittent, and the Chief did not wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The Chief and a crew member suddenly began coughing, became nauseated, and vomited. They took a rest break to drink some water, but both remained nauseated and became dizzy. The on-scene deputy police chief transported both to the hospital's emergency department (ED), where the Chief began complaining of chest pain; an acute heart attack was diagnosed. Despite care in the ED for approximately 75 minutes, the Chief suffered a cardiac arrest and died. Neither the ED nor the medical examiner's office measured carboxyhemoglobin levels to assess carbon monoxide exposure or possible carbon monoxide poisoning. The other crew member was treated for heat illness and released with no complications. The death certificate, completed by the county medical examiner investigator, listed "myocardial infarction" as the cause of death. The autopsy report, completed by the state deputy chief medical examiner, listed "atherosclerotic and hypertensive heart disease" as the cause of death. Given the Chief's long history of underlying coronary heart disease, NIOSH investigators concluded that the physical stress of fire suppression activities triggered his heart attack and subsequent cardiac death.

Download or read book Fire Fighter Suffers Fatal Heart Attack at Two alarm Structure Fire Texas written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page 13 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: -Phase in a mandatory wellness/fitness program for fire fighters to reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease and improve cardiovascular capacity. Although unrelated to this fatality, the Fire Department should consider this additional recommendation based on safety and economic considerations: -Discontinue the routine use of annual chest x-rays.

Download or read book Fire Fighter Suffers Fatal Heart Attack While Performing Physical Fitness Training Missouri written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page 11 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On January 21, 2003, at approximately 2045 hours, a 50-year-old male career Captain was lifting weights and walking on a treadmill in his fire station's exercise room when he experienced chest pains. After alerting his crew members, medical treatment for angina was begun. When his chest pain persisted and he became increasingly ill, he was loaded into an ambulance and transported to the hospital by in-house ambulance personnel. Despite being given advance life support (ALS) in the ambulance, he went into cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was begun. ALS measures were continued inside the emergency department (ED) for 18 minutes until he was pronounced dead and resuscitation measures were stopped. The death certificate listed "acute myocardial infarction" due to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease" as the immediate cause of death.

Download or read book Lieutenant Suffers Fatal Heart Attack During Training Ohio written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 15 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On March 31, 2010, a 53-year-old male career Lieutenant (LT) reported for duty as the officer on Squad 91. During his shift he participated in the Fire Department's (FD) annual self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) endurance evaluation. After completing the first evolution in about 15-20 minutes, the LT complained of shoulder pain and sat down to rest. Shortly thereafter, both on-duty crews were dispatched to separate emergency calls. The LT did not respond with Squad 91, and crew members assumed the LT was either taking a shower or had responded with the other crew. Upon returning to the fire station about 1 hour later, crew members found the LT unresponsive in his bunkroom. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and advanced life support were begun, and the LT was transported to the local hospital's emergency department (ED). Advanced life support continued in the ED for an additional 10 minutes when he was pronounced dead by the ED physician. The autopsy, completed by the County Coroner, listed the cause of death as "acute thrombus of left anterior descending artery" due to "hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease." Given the LT's underlying coronary artery disease (CAD), NIOSH investigators concluded that the physical exertion involved in performing the SCBA endurance training triggered his acute heart attack and subsequent cardiac death. NIOSH investigators offer the following recommendations to address general safety and health issues. It is possible that if some of the recommended programs had been in place, the LT's death may have been prevented. 1) Incorporate exercise stress tests following standard medical guidelines into a Fire Department medical evaluation program. 2) Provide annual medical evaluations to all fire fighters consistent with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments. 3) Ensure that fire fighters are cleared for return to duty by a physician knowledgeable about the physical demands of fire fighting, the personal protective equipment used by fire fighters, and the various components of NFPA 1582. The following recommendations are made for safety and health reasons and would not have prevented the LT's death. 1) Provide preplacement medical evaluations to all fire fighters consistent with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582. 2) Perform an annual physical performance (physical ability) evaluation for all members. 3) Phase in a comprehensive wellness and fitness program for fire fighters. 4) Use a secondary (technological) test to confirm appropriate placement of the endotracheal tube.