Report Number: 05-0000216
Report Date: 05/27/2005
Event Description
Box alarm for fire in a strip center. Upon arrival of first unit, fire and smoke showing from roof of strip center. Engine company was placing an extension ladder on front of buiding when large sign burned away from store front and fell on two firefighters trapping them. Mayday was called and other crews on scene picked up sign and dragged firefighters out from under sign.
I was on the last in engine and was assigned RIT duties but incident had already occurred and was resolved upon our arrival.
Lesson Learned
On decision making the ladder should have been placed away from the burning sign. This leads to a problem with situational awareness. Training in situational awareness to help stop tunnel vision.
Staffing, I believe, was an issue. The engine company with the injuries consisted of a fill-in firefighter and an acting captain. This crew consisted of people who had never worked together. Staffing issues need to be addressed.
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