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 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 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 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 Chief Suffers Fatal Heart Attack New Hampshire written by Denise L. Smith and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 11 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On September 2, 2012, a 52-year-old Fire Chief experienced chest pains while working at the station. Fire department (FD) personnel transported the Chief to the hospital where he suffered a cardiac arrest and died. The death certificate and autopsy report listed the cause of death as "acute myocardial infarction" due to "arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease." Activities at the fire station on the morning of September 2 and his duties as the Fire Chief during the State Fair were temporally related to his angina, heart attack, and sudden cardiac death. 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 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 Fighter Suffers Fatal Heart Attack While Fighting Residential Fire New Jersey 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: (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 fire fighting. (6) Provide fire fighters with medical clearance to wear self-contained breathing apparatus as part of the Fire Department's annual medical evaluation program. (7) Use a secondary (technological) test to confirm appropriate placement of the endotracheal tube.

Download or read book Lieutenant Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death During Structure Fire Operations Arkansas written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 12 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On January 26, 2010, a 52-year-old male volunteer lieutenant (LT) responded to a residential fire. At the scene, the LT, wearing street clothes, assisted in stretching two 1 3/4inch hose lines, carried a positive pressure ventilation (PPV) fan to the porch, and started the fan. After replenishing the fan's fuel supply, the LT collapsed. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was begun. The ambulance, already en route to the structure fire, arrived 6 minutes later, and advanced life support was begun. Despite CPR and advanced life support on scene, during transport, and in the hospital's emergency department (ED), the LT died. The death certificate and the autopsy listed "arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease" as the cause of death. Given the LT's severe underlying heart disease, NIOSH investigators concluded that the physical exertion involved in responding to the call, stretching the fire hoses, and carrying and starting the PPV fan triggered his sudden cardiac death. NIOSH investigators offer the following recommendations to address general safety and health issues. These recommended programs would have restricted the LT from participating in physically demanding emergency response activities. 1) Provide preplacement and annual medical evaluations to all fire fighters. 2) Ensure fire fighters are cleared for emergency response activities by a physician 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. 3) Phase in a comprehensive wellness and fitness program for fire fighters. 4) Perform a preplacement and 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 Fire Department's medical evaluation program. 6) Conduct annual respirator fit testing.

Download or read book Fire Fighter Suffers Fatal Heart Attack After Returning Home from Fire Iowa written by Mitchell Singal and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 10 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On April 2, 2001, a 38-year-old male volunteer fire fighter was driving to work after returning home from a structural fire. He apparently passed out at an intersetion, and his vehicle rolled across the road and into a fence. Police arrived approximately 3 minutes later, and the fire department and ambulance followed shortly. Despite cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and advanced life support (ALS) performed at the scene, in the ambulance, and at the hospital emergency department, and additional procedures in the hospital's cardiac catheterization laboratory, the fire fighter died. Based on autopsy findings, the death certificate completed by the medical examiner listed "acute myocardial infarction" as the immediate cause of death and "severe arteriosclerotic coronary vascular disease--right coronary artery" as the underlying cause.

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 Heart Attack During Structural Fire Fighting Operations and Dies 8 Days Later Kentucky 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 June 30, 2011, a 49-year-old male volunteer fire fighter (FF) responded to a residential structure fire. The FF, wearing full turnout gear and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) on-air, climbed a 14-foot ladder to the second floor and performed exterior and interior fire suppression activities for about 30 minutes. After the fire was brought under control, he started to perform overhaul (mop-up) operations on the second floor when he suddenly collapsed. Crew members carried the FF down the stairs and outside the dwelling. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was begun as an ambulance was requested. The ambulance arrived, advanced life support was provided, and the FF was transported to the local hospital's emergency department (ED). In the ED, the FF regained a pulse but remained minimally responsive and was flown to a regional hospital where angioplasty was performed. Over the next 8 days, his condition did not improve and, after consulting with the family, the decision was made to remove the FF from life support. The attending physician pronounced him dead at 0434 hours on July 8, 2011. The death certificate listed "myocardial infarct" due to "cardiac arrest" as the cause of death. No autopsy was performed. Carboxyhemoglobin levels were not measured to test for carbon monoxide exposure. Given the FF's known underlying coronary artery disease (CAD), NIOSH investigators concluded that the physical exertion of responding to the call and suppressing the fire triggered his heart attack, which caused his death. NIOSH investigators offer the following recommendations to address general safety and health issues. Had some of these recommended programs been in place, it is possible the FF's death may have been prevented. Provide preplacement and annual medical evaluations to all fire fighters. Ensure 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 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582. Phase in a comprehensive wellness and fitness program for fire fighters. Perform a preplacement and an annual physical performance (physical ability) evaluation. Provide fire fighters with medical clearance to wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) as part of the Fire Department's medical evaluation program. Use a secondary (technological) test to confirm appropriate placement of the endotracheal tube. Perform an autopsy on all on-duty fire fighter fatalities.

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 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 Fighter Suffers Fatal Heart Attack at Fire Scene Wisconsin written by Mitchell Singal and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page 10 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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 they represent published research or consensus votes of technical committees of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or fire service labor/management groups. -Institute preplacement and periodic medical evaluations. These should incorporate exercise stress testing, depending on the fire fighter's age and coronary artery disease risk factors.

Download or read book Acting Fire Chief Suffers Heart Attack After Shift and Dies Alaska written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 8 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. -Ensure the City-contract physician reviews all "return to work" clearances for both on and off-the-job injuries. -Perform an autopsy on all on-duty fire fighter fatalities.

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 Chief Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death While Returning to the Fire Station After a Structure Fire Georgia written by Tommy N. Baldwin and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 11 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: -Provide fire fighters with medical evaluations and clearance to wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). -Consider annual respirator fit testing.