Buffalo FD LODD's - 5 Years Ago

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From "The Secret List" and reposted with permission.

All,

We take time to remember and learn about the late Buffalo NY FD Lt Charles McCarthy, 45, and Jonathan Croom, 34 who died in the Line of Duty died while responding to an early morning structure fire on August 24, 2009. Lt. McCarthy was a 22-year veteran is survived by his wife, Terri, three children and a grandchild. FF Croom was a 10-year veteran and is survived by his infant child and his fiancée who was pregnant with their second child. RIP.

Key contributing factors identified in this double LODD include working above an uncontrolled, free-burning basement fire; interior condition reports not communicated to command; inadequate risk-versus-gain assessments; and, crew integrity / accountability not maintained. Firefighter survival related changes sought by the families of Croom and McCarthy include:

* Following the "two in, two out rule," which means that firefighters do not enter or leave a burning structure without a partner.

* Having an accountability officer to keep track of firefighters entering and leaving "serious fires," freeing the commander at the scene to maintain an overview of the entire situation.

* Making numerous equipment enhancements such as upgraded radios, new self-contained breathing apparatus and thermal cameras.

Lack of an accountability officer and failure to enforce the "two in, two out rule" were cited in the lawsuits. Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration work rules, adopted by New York State for the protection of first responders, were not adhered to. That allowed the families to sue, even though the job of firefighter has an assumption of risk.

One of the most troubling aspects of the deaths was that the BFD had lacked a standard operating procedure for extinguishing basement fires. That is now in place.

==ARTICLE ABOUT THE LAWSUITS FOLLOWING THIS LOSS BY FF FAMILY MEMBERS:

http://tinyurl.com/kzechaf

==BUFFALO FD REPORT:

http://tinyurl.com/8btssyx

==NIOSH REPORT:

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200923.html

==VIDEO:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Esc14NWhYPk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

==MEDIA REPORTS / POST FIRE ACTION:

http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/news/fullstory/newsid/148634

Lots to learn so we can all honor their tragic loss.

Take Care. Be Careful. Pass It On.

BillyG

The Secret List 8/24/2014-2131 Hours

www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com