Report Number: 05-0000049
Report Date: 05/27/2005
Event Description
Hose team on the second floor of a working apartment fire proceeding through the extinguishing process, the nozzleman fell through the floor of a second story apartment and was suspended over a burning section of the first floor. The fire had been burning under this apartment for more than 30 minutes and the hose team became disoriented and proceeded into an area that they were warned to stay away. An immediate "Mayday" was called and the RIT team went into action to extricate the hose team and trapped member. Part of the problem was the hose team did not give an accurate location since they were disoriented, but the RIT team, using their thermal imager, were able to locate the team quickly and remove the nozzleman without significant injury. He received a sprained ankle and minor burns, treated and released from the scene.
Lesson Learned
Training on hose advancement and use of thermal imagers. The district chiefs are reverting to basic training and teamwork while enforcing that all entry teams must have their thermal imagers available and in use.
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