Download or read book Instructor in charge Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death During Live Fire Training Pennsylvania written by Denise L. Smith and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 10 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On September 25, 2011, a 38-year-old male volunteer lieutenant (LT) was serving as the instructor-in-charge during live fire training. The LT spent about 60 minutes setting up the training drills and then spent about 30 minutes debriefing and orienting the instructors and trainees. He was inside the specially designed burn building attending the fires when his low air alarm sounded and he exited the building. After changing his air cylinder, he began debriefing the fire department (FD) chief when he suddenly lost consciousness. Fellow firefighters immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and attached an automated external defibrillator (AED) which delivered a series of shocks that did not revive the LT. An ambulance arrived on scene about 12 minutes after the LT collapsed and provided advanced life support (ALS) while en route to the local hospital's emergency department. Despite these efforts, the LT never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead at the hospital at 1120 hours, approximately 40 minutes after losing consciousness. The death certificate and autopsy listed "cardiac dysrhythmia due to hypertrophic cardiomegaly" as the cause of death. Given the underlying heart abnormalities found at autopsy, the moderate-to-heavy physical exertion during the training most likely triggered a sudden cardiac event.

Download or read book Volunteer Fire Fighter Suffers a Fatal Cardiac Event After Fire Suppression Training Pennsylvania written by Denise L. Smith and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 14 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On May 1, 2010, a 51-year-old volunteer Fire Fighter (FF) died after participating in fire suppression activities associated with a basic firefighting course (part of a 166 hour course). The incident occurred on the final day of training involving interior structural fire suppression and exterior fire drills. The FF, wearing full turnout gear and a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), participated in one evolution of fire extinguishment lasting approximately 5 minutes and then experienced symptoms consistent with exhaustion and/or dehydration. Following rehydration and monitoring in rehabilitation (Rehab) for 1 hour and 45 minutes, he returned to training and completed a liquid propane drill lasting about 2 minutes. Approximately 5-10 minutes after this drill, the FF was found unresponsive and cyanotic. On scene emergency medical service (EMS) personnel summoned an ambulance, began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and attached an automated external defibrillator (AED) to the FF from which two shocks were administered without a change in the FF's clinical condition. Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) was provided by the ambulance crew and the Emergency Department (ED). Despite these efforts the FF could not be resuscitated. The death certificate listed "stress induced cardiac arrhythmia" as the immediate cause of death and severe coronary disease as the underlying cause of death. The pathologist conducting the autopsy listed "severe occlusive coronary artery" disease (CAD) as the cause of death. Based on the autopsy findings and the clinical scenario, the NIOSH investigators conclude that the FF probably died from a cardiac arrhythmia triggered by the physical exertion associated with firefighting training or a cardiac arrhythmia caused by a heart attack, which was triggered by firefighting training. NIOSH offers the following recommendations to reduce the risk of on-the-job heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrest among fire fighters at this, and other, fire departments (FD) across the country. 1) Provide mandatory pre-placement and periodic medical evaluations to all fire fighters consistent with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for FDs. 2) 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. 3) Develop a comprehensive wellness/fitness program for fire fighters to reduce risk factors for cardiovascular (CVD) and improve cardiovascular capacity. 4) Perform an annual physical performance (physical ability) evaluation. 5) Provide fire fighters with medical clearance to wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) as part of the FD's annual medical evaluation program. 6) Provide on-scene emergency medical services with advanced life support and transport capability during live fire training. 7) Ensure emergency medical services staff in rehabilitation have the authority, as delegated from the Incident Command System, to use their professional judgment to keep members in rehabilitation or to transport them for further medical evaluation or treatment. 8) Training Academy participants must be medically cleared for live fire training.

Download or read book Fire Captain Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death During a Live fire Training Exercise North Carolina written by Thomas R. Hales and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 13 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: -Fire fighters should be medically cleared prior to participating in the FD's Physical Fitness Qualification (PFQ) test, specifically, the aerobic capacity (treadmill) test. Although unrelated to this fatality, the FD should consider these three additional recommendations based on safety considerations. -Provide fire fighters with medical evaluations and clearance to wear SCBA as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). -Complement the impressive mandatory fitness program with a mandatory, rather than voluntary, wellness program. -During live-fire training, ensure all components of NFPA 1403, Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions, are followed.

Download or read book Fire Captain Suffers Fatal Heart Attack After Conducting Live Fire Training Pennsylvania written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 18 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: (3) Phase in a comprehensive wellness and fitness program for fire fighters to reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease and improve cardiovascular capacity. (4) Provide fire fighters with medical clearance to wear a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) as part of the Fire Department's medical evaluation program. (5) Use a secondary (technological) test to confirm appropriate placement of the endotracheal tube. (6) Recheck vital signs of fire fighters prior to leaving rehab.

Download or read book Fire Fighter Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death During Live Fire Training North Carolina written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 20 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The autopsy, completed by the Medical Examiner, listed "congestive heart failure" as the cause of death and "severe coronary atherosclerotic disease and hypertensive heart disease" as contributing factors. Given the FF's underlying atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD), the stressful environmental conditions and the physical stress of performing fire fighting training duties triggered a heart attack or a cardiac arrhythmia, resulting in his sudden cardiac death. The NIOSH investigator offers the following recommendations to address general safety and health issues. Had these recommended measures been in place prior to the FF's collapse, perhaps his sudden cardiac death may have been prevented at this time.

Download or read book Fire Fighter Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death After Responding to a Water Rescue Call Pennsylvania written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 11 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: (2) Secure endotracheal tubes to prevent dislodgment during patient treatment, transfer, and transport. (3) Ensure that 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. (4) Provide fire fighters with medical evaluations and clearance to wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs). (5) Develop a structured wellness/fitness program for fire fighters to reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease and improve cardiovascular capacity. (6) Perform an annual physical performance (physical ability) evaluation to ensure fire fighters are physically capable of performing the essential job tasks of structural firefighting.

Download or read book Fire Fighter Trainee Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death During Maze Training Arkansas written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 20 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On January 26, 2011, a 38-year-old male career fire fighter recruit ("Trainee") participated in an entry-level fire fighter certification class. The training included maneuvering through a tunnel maze while wearing full turnout gear and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). After he completed most of the maze evolution, the Trainee's SCBA became stuck inside the tunnel. He tried to free himself for several minutes; meanwhile, his SCBA became low on air. Instructors removed the Trainee from the maze and noted that he was breathing hard and complaining of nausea. After rehabilitation, his symptoms resolved, and his vital signs returned to normal. The Trainee went on to complete the basement search portion of the smokehouse training without difficulty. After lunch, the Trainee repeated the maze evolution and became stuck in the same location. After assuring instructors he was okay, the Trainee suddenly became unresponsive. Instructors removed the Trainee from the maze and found him unresponsive, not breathing, and without a pulse. An ambulance was requested, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was begun, and an automated external defibrillator was utilized; no shock was advised. Paramedics assigned to a nearby flight ambulance responded and began advanced life support including the administration of intravenous cardiac resuscitation medications. A cardiac monitor was placed, revealing asystole (no heart beat) and pulseless electrical activity. The ambulance arrived about 11 minutes later and transported the Trainee to the hospital's emergency department (ED), where CPR and advanced life support treatment continued. Approximately 47 minutes after his collapse, despite CPR and advanced life support, the Trainee died. The death certificate and the autopsy, completed by the medical examiner, listed "dilated cardiomyopathy" due to "hypertensive cardiovascular disease" as the cause of death. NIOSH investigators concluded that the Trainee's underlying cardiomyopathy coupled with the physical exertion involved in performing the fire fighter training triggered his sudden cardiac death.

Download or read book Fire Fighter Recruit Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death During Physical Ability Training Texas written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 15 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On February 12, 2003, a 46-year-old male career Fire Fighter Recruit was performing the tower climb portion of his fire fighter recruit training. After reaching the sixth (top) floor of the training tower for the third time that morning, he began to have leg and neck pain. The pain was severe enough that crew members carried him down the stairs and onto the sidewalk. Shortly thereafter, he lost consciousness. Crew members assessed him and found him to be unresponsive, not breathing, and pulseless. Approximately 37 minutes later, despite cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and advanced life support (ALS) administered on-scene and at the hospital, the Recruit died. The autopsy revealed "cardiac hypertrophy," "biventricular dialation" and "cardiomegaly." The death certificate listed "cardiac hypertrophy" as the immediate cause of death.

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 Fire Fighter paramedic Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death While Performing Physical Fitness Training Washington written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 9 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The death certificate and autopsy, completed and performed by the Medical Examiner, listed "occlusive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease" as the immediate cause of death. The following recommendations address some general health and safety issues. This list includes some preventive measures that have been recommended by other agencies to reduce the risk of on-the-job heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrest among fire fighters. These selected recommendations have not been evaluated by NIOSH, but represent published research, or consensus votes of technical committees of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or fire service labor/management groups.

Download or read book Firefighter Trainee Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death During Physical Fitness Exercise written by Wendi Dick and published by . This book was released on 2021 with total page 11 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 2017, a 33-year-old state inmate was accepted into the state’s Conservation Camp Program which allows inmates to request assignments within one of the state’s correctional institution fire departments. On April 21, 2018, the inmate became a trainee (trainee) of the fire program and was participating in an initial training hike. He had recently been assigned to serve the campfire station as a structural firefighter. The training exercise involved hiking in moderately steep terrain while wearing full wildland personal protective equipment (PPE), web gear, and a hose pack. As the trainee reached the top of the climb for a second and final lap, he knelt and said he needed to catch his breath. The crew told the trainee to drink some water while he rested and questioned him to see if he was alert and oriented. Less than two minutes later, the crew noticed the trainee wasn’t drinking water or moving and did not respond to his name when called. The crew quickly came to his aid and notified the captain that they needed additional support. The crew started treating the trainee for heat exhaustion and loaded him into a vehicle. As they drove down the hill, he became pulseless and non-breathing at which time the crew immediately started cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The crew arrived at the fire station within two minutes and medical staff was waiting. The crew continued CPR as correction medical staff began advanced life support (ALS) efforts. Despite the efforts of fire crews, medical staff and paramedics, the trainee died. The cause of death was fatal cardiac arrhythmia due to cardiomyopathy.

Download or read book Fire Fighter Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death During Rural Water Supply Training Illinois written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 16 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Perform an annual physical performance (physical ability) evaluation to ensure fire fighters are physically capable of performing the essential job tasks of structural fire fighting.

Download or read book Fire Fighter Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death During Physical Fitness Training New Jersey written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 8 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: (4) Perform an annual physical performance (physical ability) evaluation to ensure fire fighters are physically capable of performing the essential job tasks of structural fire fighting. (5) Discontinue routine annual chest x-rays for hazardous materials technicians unless medically indicated. (6) Discontinue routine drug screens as part of the annual medical evaluation unless for cause.

Download or read book Fire Fighter Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death During Physical Fitness Training North Carolina written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 11 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: (3) Provide fire fighters with medical evaluations and clearance to wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs).

Download or read book Fire Fighter paramedic Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death During Ice Rescue Training New Hampshire written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 13 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On January 16, 2011, a 46-year-old male volunteer fire fighter-paramedic (FF/P) participated in ice rescue training. During the training, the FF/P played the role of the victim. After the last evolution, the FF/P walked approximately 400 feet in 13 inches of snow toward the staging area when he complained of shortness of breath. After a transport ambulance arrived, the FF/P went into cardiac arrest. Crew members and ambulance personnel provided cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and advanced life support as the FF/P was transported to the local hospital's emergency department (ED). CPR and advanced life support continued in the ED for an additional 31 minutes until the ED physician pronounced him dead. The death certificate and the autopsy listed "coronary artery atherosclerosis" as the cause of death. Given the FF/P's underlying coronary artery disease (CAD), NIOSH investigators concluded that the physical exertion involved in the training and in walking through the snow triggered a cardiac arrhythmia resulting in his sudden cardiac death.

Download or read book Fire Fighter Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death at His Fire Station Oregon written by Thomas R. Hales and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page 10 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On February 20, 2003, at 0730 hours, a 53-year-old male career Captain (the deceased) began his 24-hour shift at his fire station. During his shift, the Captain was performing normal duties including checking fire extinguishers and participating in training exercises of emergency egress during aircraft rescue operations. He was last seen alive by crew members at 2030 hours as he was preparing for sleep. He was found the next morning in his private quarters at 0700 hours by two crew members. The Captain was unresponsive, wearing the previous night's uniform, laying diagonally on top of his bed. One crew member ran from the room to call 911 (medical emergency) and retrieve an automated external defibrillator (AED) from the station's ambulance. The other crew member checked the Captain's vital signs and found no pulse and no respirations.

Download or read book Fire Fighter paramedic Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death After Rescue Training California written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 15 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On September 16, 2010, a 56-year-old male career Fire Fighter/Paramedic (FF/P) participated in rescue training that included classroom lectures, stretching exercises, and lifting/moving heavy concrete blocks. During the stretching exercises, the FF/P experienced chest discomfort. He and his paramedic partner administered and interpreted an electrocardiogram (EKG). The EKG revealed a slow heart rate but no changes suggestive of cardiac ischemia. The FF/P resumed the training, which, at that time, involved lifting and moving concrete blocks. This evolution lasted approximately 25 minutes after which crews were debriefed and dismissed for lunch. After walking to his vehicle, the FF/P collapsed. Despite cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and advanced life support (ALS) at the scene, in the ambulance, and in the hospital's emergency department (ED), the FF/P died. The death certificate and the autopsy listed "severe coronary atherosclerosis" as the cause of death with "cardiomegaly" as a significant other condition. Given the FF/P's severe underlying coronary artery disease (CAD), NIOSH investigators concluded that the physical exertion involved in performing the rescue training probably triggered his sudden cardiac death. NIOSH investigators offer the following recommendations to address general safety and health issues. It is unclear if these recommended programs would have prevented the FF/P's death. 1) Report signs or symptoms consistent with a heart attack to authorities for prompt medical evaluation. 2) Provide mandatory annual medical evaluations to all fire fighters consistent with the current edition of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments. 3) Consider reviewing the fire department's policy for conducting member exercise stress tests. 4) Phase in a mandatory comprehensive wellness and fitness program for fire fighters. 5) Perform an annual physical performance (physical ability) evaluation for all members.