Report Number: 05-0000198
Report Date: 05/27/2005
Event Description
Crew was operating on the second floor of a 2 story single family dwelling. Upon arrival crews had heavy fire venting out a second floor bedroom window. Crews advanced a hand line up the stairs and from the hallway/doorway had extinguished the fire in the bedroom. The officer on the crew then stood up, walked past the firefighters on the nozzle who were on their hands and knees in the bedroom doorway and walked into the bedroom. He immediately he fell through the floor up to his shoulders. The firefighter on the nozzle put down the nozzle and with his knees balancing on the floor joists pulled the officer out of the hole. The officer received minor bumps and bruises.
Lesson Learned
Crews are taught to crawl during fire operations and to sound the floor in front of them with a tool. The room had sustained very heavy fire conditions. The officer decided to stand up and walk in like it was a normal day, ignoring these basic rules.
Crews should follow the basics even after the fire is knocked down.
No RIT was on scene. Establishing RIT is necessary on every fire. Although it most likely would not have been used in this rescue, had the injuries or collapse been worse help would have been needed.
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