Skip directly to site content Skip directly to search


Español  Other Languages


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
 Search
		×
			NIOSH
			NIOSH
				All CDC
				Submit
			For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
			Advanced Search
		Advanced Search


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)








36-Year-Old Probationary Firefighter Suffers Cardiac Arrest After Completing SCBA Drill—Arizona										Related Pages
										FF Shield
Death in the Line of Duty...A summary of a NIOSH fire fighter fatality investigation
F2019-04 Date Released: November 1, 2022

Executive Summary
On October 17, 2018, a 36-year-old probationary firefighter (PF) participated in a joint multi-agency search and rescue training evolution. The training evolution consisted of searching for a rescue mannequin in a house while wearing full turnouts and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). After successfully completing the evolution, the PF went for a walk. Minutes later, a fellow firefighter noticed the PF sitting in the rear of the cab of one of the fire engines and asked him if everything was ok. The PF responded that he was not feeling well. Concerned about the PF’s health, the firefighter notified the incident commander (IC) who directed a medic/firefighter at the drill to assist with the ill PF. The medic/firefighter spoke with the PF and asked him to step out of the engine so he could assess him. The PF was helped to the ground and placed on his back at which time he became unresponsive. The PF was breathing, had a weak radial pulse and was cold and clammy to the touch. As an IV and oxygen were administered, the PF went into cardiac arrest. Chest compressions and ventilation via bag valve mask (BVM) were initiated. There were no basic life support/advanced life support (BLS/ALS) units on standby during the training exercise so staff called dispatch. A BLS ambulance was closest and arrived approximately 25 minutes later. An automatic external defibrillator (AED) cardiac monitor was placed on the PF. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) continued en-route to the hospital where the PF was pronounced dead after approximately two and one-half hours of resuscitation efforts. The death certificate listed the cause of death as coronary artery atherosclerosis with dilated cardiomyopathy and obesity as significant contributing conditions.

Key Recommendations
NIOSH investigators offer the following recommendations to prevent similar deaths, and to address general health and safety issues among firefighters at this and other fire departments across the country:
Provide pre-placement and annual medical evaluations consistent with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments, which include a baseline electrocardiogram (EKG) in all individuals prior to engagement in any strenuous physical activity to rule out any underlying cardiac anomalies.
Ensure all firefighters are cleared for duty by a healthcare provider knowledgeable about the physical demands of firefighting, the personal protective equipment used by firefighters and the various components consistent with NFPA 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments.The following recommendations may not have prevented the Probationary Firefighter’s death, but NIOSH investigators include them to address general safety and health issues:
Fire departments should have ALS with automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) and all ALS-required medications on board during training exercises.
Implement a mandatory wellness and fitness program for fire department members consistent with NFPA 1583, Standard on Health-Related Fitness Programs for Firefighters, and the International Association of Fire Fighters/ International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFF/IAFC) Wellness-Fitness Initiative.
All formal training exercises, especially those involving multiple agencies, should utilize a written Incident Action Plan (IAP).Read the full report
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  January 6, 2023						Source: 	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
					Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate homeFire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP)
New Content
About the Programplus icon
Our Work, Reviewed
Data and StatisticsInvestigationsplus icon
Investigation Steps
Completed Investigations
Ongoing Investigations
Fire Fighter Fatality Map
Products
Contact Us
Other Resources Enter your email address to receive new reports/products. Email Address			What's this?				Submit
 NIOSH Homepage NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs
Contact NIOSH


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue