Daily Apparatus Insp. - Hyd. Ladder Rack Fails

[x152 179]

From the Waterbury Republican American Newspaper (8/9/06) -

Hydraulic ladder rack fails a crushes a fire fighters fingers during daily maintenance-

TORRINGTON (CT) -- A city firefighter underwent surgery at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Tuesday to repair shattered fingers on his right hand after a hydraulic lift on Engine No. 3 malfunctioned during routine maintenance Monday afternoon.

Eight-year veteran Philip Hearn was rushed to the hospital aboard a second fire truck minutes after fellow firefighter James Valentine lifted the heavy apparatus to free Hearn. The accident, which took place during a check of the lift mechanism, is the first on-the-job injury suffered by a city firefighter in recent memory, Fire Chief John Field said.

Field said the hydraulic lift which failed swings a rack of extension ladders down from the roof of the truck to where they can be reached from the side. When the lift gave way, it dropped the weight of the lift and metal ladders it carries on top of Hearn's right hand, pinning it along with the index finger of his left hand.

Valentine, who was standing next to Hearn, suffered bruises to his forearms from the strain of lifting the heavy equipment off of Hearn by hand, Field said. "He really had to put his whole body into it."

Hearn was resting at home Tuesday afternoon. Field said it's not clear whether he will make a full recovery.

"We are taking this very seriously," Field said. "We can't have this happen again."

Field said the engine, manufactured in 2001 by Florida-based Emergency One, has been taken out of service and impounded in the city police impound lot pending the outcome of an investigation by the fire department's Training and Safety Division. It will remain there until a cause is found.

"We've impounded it just as it was when the accident took place," Field said. "Obviously, any time we take a front line piece off-line there's an effect on operations, but we'll work around it."

The manufacturer has been contacted, Field said, and will assist in the investigation. It was not known Tuesday if there have been similar incidents involving this particular model of fire engine. "That's all part of the investigation," he said.

The incident was also reported to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Hearn's fellow firefighters are rallying around their injured brother, said Capt. Robert Belancik.

"Everybody's going to rise to the occasion," Belancik said. "The guys on the shift will all work to pick him up, you know? Going over to mow his lawn, or whatever needs to be done. We help each other out, not only in times of tragedy ... that's what's special about the brotherhood."

[res6cue 67]

That's horrible, hopefully he'll make a full recovery.

I have to ask though, what exactly did his hand get pinned against? Between the ladder rack and what, exactly? Also, why the hell would anyone be anywhere near or under the rack while it's in operation to begin with? Hopefully this terrible incident will serve as a reminder to be alert and be safe at all times, even during "routine" operations.

[Ladder44 73]

It was a shame to hear, E-3 is now back in service and running calls as of yesterday.

[TR54 239]

This is the Engine involved a 2001 E-One pumper .

http://www.torringtonct.org/Public_Documen...8513.5/eng3.jpg

Edited August 22, 2006 by TR54

[Guest]

I have always felt that Hydraulic ladder racks are just more stuff on a truck to go wrong.