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2017

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November 16, 2018

Fire Fighter Dies after a Fall from the Platform of an Elevated 

Tower Ladder – New York 

Executive Summary

On April 20, 2017, a 42-year-old 

male career fire fighter from 

Tower Ladder 135 died after being 

ejected from the platform of a 

tower ladder. At 1420 hours, the 

fire department dispatched 

Battalion 44, Engine 277, Engine 

286, Engine 291, Ladder 112, and 

Tower Ladder (TL) 135 for Box 

4017. Engine 277 arrived on scene 

at 1422 hours. Ladder 112 arrived 

on scene at 1423 hours. The officer 

of Ladder 112 radioed the borough 

dispatcher to transmit a 10-75 

(working fire) for Box 4017 at 

1425 hours. The additional response 

for the 10-75 to Box 4017 was: 

Battalion 35, Squad 252, which was 

assigned as Engine 252, Squad 288, 

Ladder 140 (FAST Truck), and 

Rescue 4. The fire was knocked 

down at 1431 hours. The outside 

vent (OV) fire fighter for Tower Ladder 135 climbed into the tower ladder platform at approximately 

1430 hours. The ladder company chauffeur (LCC) operated the platform from the pedestal and moved 

the platform to the 2nd floor of the fire building. He stopped the platform to check on a woman in a 2nd

floor window. She needed no assistance and was told to shelter in place. The LCC moved the platform 

towards the 5th floor rooftop fire escape. As the platform passed the 4th floor the LCC radioed the OV 

fire fighter in the platform to take over the control of the platform. The time was approximately 1434 

hours. The OV fire fighter talked to a woman on the 5th floor fire escape and she needed no assistance. 

She was sent to the ground through the Exposure B apartment building via the interior steps. The OV 

fire fighter moved the platform to the roof and over the parapet wall. After a brief conversation with 

the roof fire fighter from Ladder 112 the OV fire fighter tried to move TL135’s platform. He thought 

he was having trouble with the platform’s joystick, but actually the brackets under the platform were 

caught/stuck on the concrete cap of the parapet wall. The OV fire fighter asked the LCC to take 

control of the platform. The LCC also had trouble moving the platform and, like the OV, could not see 

the reason for the problem. At 14:38:59 hours, the platform suddenly released from the parapet cap 

Tower Ladder 135 above the inside portion of the 

parapet wall. The platform jerked upwards after being 

released from the parapet wall ejecting the TL135 fire 

fighter from the platform. 

(Photo courtesy of the fire department.) 
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Fire Fighter Dies after a Fall from the Platform of an Elevated 

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Report # F2017-11

causing a violent upward movement and ejecting the OV fire fighter from the platform. The fire fighter 

fell 5 stories to the concrete sidewalk below. Fire fighters from other companies rushed to provide 

medical care of the fire fighter. The fire fighter was moved to a stretcher and placed in Medic Unit 

45Y. He was transported to a trauma center at 1443 hours and arrived at 1445 hours. The fire fighter 

was pronounced dead at 1518 hours. 

Contributing Factors • Building construction and roof operations 

• Procedures for operation of a tower ladder 

• Apparatus platform design 

• Training 

• Multi-family residential building not sprinklered 

Key Recommendations 

• Fire departments should ensure that fire fighters recognize roof design, height restrictions, and 

safety issues when operating tower ladders in the close vicinity of parapet walls

• Fire departments should ensure that tower ladders and other aerial platforms are designed to 

reduce or eliminate the potential for snagging on buildings or other surfaces 

• Fire departments should ensure fire fighters use the escape harness carabineer or ladder belt 

to secure to the platform during tower ladder operations 

• Fire departments should provide proficiency training for fire fighters on the operations of 

tower ladders. 

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), an institute within the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC), is the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of 

work-related injury and illness. In 1998, Congress appropriated funds to NIOSH to conduct a fire fighter initiative that resulted in the 

NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program, which examines line-of-duty deaths or on-duty deaths of fire 

fighters to assist fire departments, fire fighters, the fire service, and others to prevent similar fire fighter deaths in the future. The 

agency does not enforce compliance with state or federal occupational safety and health standards and does not determine fault or 

assign blame. Participation of fire departments and individuals in NIOSH investigations is voluntary. Under its program, NIOSH 

investigators interview persons with knowledge of the incident who agree to be interviewed and review available records to develop 

a description of the conditions and circumstances leading to the death(s). Interviewees are not asked to sign sworn statements and 

interviews are not recorded. The agency's reports do not name the victim, the fire department, or those interviewed. The NIOSH 

report's summary of the conditions and circumstances surrounding the fatality is intended to provide context to the agency's 

recommendations and is not intended to be definitive for purposes of determining any claim or benefit.

For further information, visit the program website at www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire or call toll free 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).
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2017

11

November 16, 2018

Fire Fighter Dies after a Fall from the Platform of an Elevated 

Tower Ladder – New York 

Introduction 

On April 20, 2017, a 42-year-old male career fire fighter from Tower Ladder 135 died after falling 5 

stories from the platform of a tower ladder that was responding to a multiple dwelling fire. On April 

24, 2017, the U.S. Fire Administration notified the National Institute for Occupational Safety and 

Health (NIOSH) of this incident. On June 11, an investigator and an occupational physician from the 

NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program traveled to New York to investigate 

this incident. The NIOSH investigators met with the department’s accident investigation team, officials 

of the fire department, and with representatives from the Uniformed Firefighters Association. The 

NIOSH investigators reviewed witness statements of fire fighters and officers involved in the incident 

plus examined incident scene photographs and video of the fireground. The NIOSH investigators also 

reviewed the department’s fireground standard operating procedures. The NIOSH investigators visited

and photographed the incident site. 

Fire Department

This career fire department employs approximately 10,200 uniformed members and over 3,600 

uniformed EMTs and paramedics. The fire department provides fire protection; technical rescue; 

primary response to biological, chemical and radioactive hazards; and emergency medical services. 

The department's executive staff is divided into two areas that include a civilian Fire Commissioner, 

who serves as the head of the department and the Chief of Department who serves as the operational 

leader of the department. The executive staff includes several civilian fire commissioners who are 

responsible for the many different bureaus within the department, including the Chief of Department, 

the Chief of Fire Operations, the Chief of EMS, the Chief Fire Marshal, and other staff chiefs. Staff 

chiefs include the seven citywide tour commanders, the Chief of Safety, the Chief of Fire Prevention, 

and the Chief of Training. 

Operationally and geographically, the department is organized, into five Borough Commands. Within 

those five Borough Commands exist nine Divisions, each headed by a deputy division chief. Within 

each Division are four to seven Battalions, each led by a battalion chief. The department operates 49 

battalions. Each battalion consists of three to eight firehouses and consists of approximately 180–200 

fire fighters and officers. Each firehouse consists of one to three fire companies. Each fire company is 

led by a captain, who commands three lieutenants and nine to twenty firefighters. There are currently 

four shifts of fire fighters in each company. Tours can be either day tours (0900 hours to 1800 hours) 

or night tours (1800 hours to 0900 hours). Each tour/shift is commanded by a lieutenant or the 

company captain. An engine company is staffed by an officer and three to four fire fighters. A truck 

company or ladder company is staffed by an officer and five fire fighters. A rescue company is staffed 
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Report # F2017-11

by an officer and five fire fighters and a squad company is staffed by an officer and five firefighters. A 

marine company is staffed by an officer and four fire fighters and the hazardous materials (haz-mat) 

company is staffed by an officer and six fire fighters.

The department faces multifaceted firefighting challenges unique to this city. For example, the 

department responds to building types ranging from wood-frame single family homes to high-rise 

structures. In addition, the department is responsible for rescue operations in secluded bridges, tunnels, 

the city’s subway system, and large parks and wooded areas.

The fire department has written policies and procedures, which are available to all department 

members within their stations covering a broad range of topics. These policies and procedures have 

been implemented and are enforced.

Box Numbers

Each address in the city is assigned a box number, based on the closest street, special building or 

highway box. The term "box" refers to the Fire Alarm Boxes, which at one time lined street corners 

and in front of certain buildings. Each Fire Alarm Box was given a specific number by the 

department’s Bureau of Communications. Even if the physical fire alarm box is no longer at a specific 

address or street corner, the address or street corner is still assigned that fire alarm box's number. Box 

numbers can be duplicated in different boroughs, which is why they are always identified by borough 

name or numerical prefix on the computer. If there is also a street address given to the dispatchers, the 

responding apparatus will get this information in the firehouse, over the air, and via their mobile data 

terminals (MDTs) in their apparatus, in addition to the Box number. At present there are about 16,000 

physical fire alarm street boxes in the City, with many additional special building boxes and highway 

boxes, as well as "dummy boxes" used for special response assignments. 

Critical Information Dispatch System

Critical Information Dispatch System (CIDS, pronounced by the dispatcher as "SIDS") information is 

transmitted to units in the firehouse and enroute. It is information that is collected on a building during 

inspections and by public input, which would have an impact on fire-fighting operations, including 

• warehoused apartments,

• type and length of line stretch (or hose),

• number of apartments per floor, 

• unsafe conditions, 

• standpipe conditions, 

• and, anything else the Bureau of Fire Communications or the Staff Chiefs deem important.

This information is printed on the fire ticket and can be read by the dispatcher if requested. This 

information is also read automatically when a signal 10–75 (working fire) or higher signal is given or 

when the supervising dispatcher deems it is important for the units to have this information before 

arrival at an incident.
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Radio and Bell Code Signals

The Fire Department utilizes a system of ten-code radio signals as well as an internal one involving 

"bell codes" (...tracing their origin to the days when coded telegraph signals were sent over a closed, 

wired system within the Department...) to transmit and relay information involving both emergency 

communications and general, Departmental operations. There are 55 "10-codes" used by the 

Department. There are also sub-codes specific to some of them. The department is currently one of the 

last, large fire departments in the country using "10-Codes" as opposed to "plain English" to 

communicate information by radio

Engine Companies

Department engine companies are tasked with securing a water supply from a fire hydrant, then 

extinguishing a fire. The apparatus of an engine is known as a pumper truck and carries a pump 

(usually 1,000-2,000 gallons per minute), a water tank (usually 500 gallons), fire hoses of varying 

diameters (usually 13⁄4-inch, 21⁄2-inch, 3-1⁄2 inch and 5-inch) in 50 foot lengths, emergency medical 

supplies, ground extension ladders, and an assortment of tools. 

Engine companies are staffed with an officer and four to five fire fighters. Engine company members 

are designated for job assignments as follows: 

• Officer 

• Engine company chauffer (ECC) 

• Nozzle – operates nozzle for fire attack 

• Backup – assists nozzle with hoseline placement 

• Control – hooks up hose to standpipe at high-rise events, controls hoseline stretch 

• Doorman – assists in stretch (if the engine company has five fire fighters).

Ladder Companies

Department ladder companies (also known as truck companies) are tasked with search and rescue, 

forcible entry, and ventilation at the scene of a fire. A ladder company can operate three types of ladder 

trucks: an aerial ladder truck, equipped with a 100-foot aerial ladder mounted at the rear of the 

apparatus; a tower ladder truck, equipped with either a 75-foot or 95-foot telescoping boom and 

platform mounted in the center of the apparatus; or a tractor-drawn aerial ladder truck, or tiller/tractor 

trailer, equipped with a 100-foot aerial ladder. A ladder company carries various forcible entry tools, 

ventilation tools, an assortment of ground ladders, and rescue tools to deal with an assortment of fires 

and emergencies, including motor vehicle incidents. 

Ladder companies are staffed with an officer and five fire fighters. Ladder company members are 

designated for job assignments as: 

• Officer 

• Ladder company chauffer (LCC) 

• Roof – goes to roof or floor above fire 

• Outside vent – goes to rear of structure: in high-rise operations, controls the elevator 

• Irons – carries forcible entry tools 
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• Can – carries a water can for firefighting

Rescue Companies

Department rescue companies are composed of the elite, highly and specially trained, most 

experienced members of the fire department. A rescue company is tasked with responding to and 

dealing with specialized fire and rescue incidents that are beyond the scope and duties of a standard 

engine or ladder company. Rescue companies operate rescue trucks, colloquially known as "tool boxes 

on wheels", which carry a wide variety of specialized tools and equipment to aide in operations at 

technical rescues, collapse/confined space rescues, water/dive rescues, or high-angle/below-grade 

rescues. They respond to all fires within their response district as well.

Squad Companies

Department squad companies are also composed of specially trained firefighters of the fire department. 

Squad companies were initially established to serve as "manpower companies" to supplement the 

manpower and operations of engine and ladder companies. Squad companies can function as either 

engine or ladder companies at the scene of a fire, but are also equipped with similar equipment and 

specialized tools as the rescue company. In particular, members of a squad company are highly trained 

in mitigating hazardous materials (haz-mat) incidents, supplementing the department’s single haz-mat 

company. Squad companies also operate a small step van as a second piece of apparatus in response to 

haz-mat incidents. The department operates the following squad companies: Squad 1, Squad 18, Squad 

41, Squad 61, Squad 252, Squad 270, and Squad 288.

Hazardous Materials Company

The department’s hazardous materials (Haz-Mat) company responds to all major city-wide hazardous 

materials incidents, building collapses, contamination-related incidents, terrorism-related disasters, 

major emergencies, and a variety of other incidents in which their services may be needed. Like the 

rescue and squad companies, members of the haz-mat company are experienced and specially trained 

to deal with hazardous situations. The haz-mat company is supplemented by the squad companies 

primarily, the rescue companies, and a handful of engine companies whose members are certified hazmat technicians. These engine companies, like the squad companies, also operate smaller step vans that 

carry haz-mat equipment.

Marine Companies

The department’s Marine Companies are the Fire Department's fireboats and are tasked with 

SCUBA/dive rescue and off-land firefighting in the city’s rivers and harbors. The department’s three 

Marine Companies operate large fireboats and smaller, secondary rescue boats to respond to various 

marine-related emergencies

Fireboats

In addition to its engine, truck, and rescue companies, the department operates three Class I fireboats

as Marine Companies:

• Marine 1 – Three Forty Three
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• Marine 6 – Bravest

• Marine 9 – Fire Fighter II

Fire Department Vehicles

• Battalion Chief's Unit: A battalion chief's unit is a command vehicle tasked with the 

responsibility of delivering a battalion chief to the fire scene. Once on the fire scene, the 

battalion chief takes command, utilizing its radios and MDT equipment. There are 53 battalion 

chiefs in the department per shift.

• Division Chief's Unit: A division chief's unit, like a battalion chief's unit, is a command 

vehicle tasked with the responsibility of delivering a Division Chief to the fire scene. Once on 

the fire scene, the division chief takes command, utilizing its radios and MDT equipment. 

There are 10 division chiefs in the department per shift.

• Mask Service Unit (MSU): These vehicles deliver refilled breathing air cylinders used by fire

fighters.

• Recuperation and Care Unit (RAC): A vehicle that is specially outfitted with equipment that 

will enable it to provide rehabilitation to fire fighters on a fireground.

• Field Communications Unit (Field Comm): A vehicle that is specially equipped with 

communication equipment such as telephones, broadband internet, and mobile radios. The main 

responsibility is to provide communication support to the on-scene incident commander.

• Tactical Support Unit (TSU): A 4x4 vehicle equipped with generators and a variety of high 

intensity lights to aid fire fighters during low light conditions. In addition, specialized 

equipment such as extrication tools and a six-person Avon boat is also carried.

• Thawing Unit: The thawing units are vehicles that carry a portable steam-generating boiler.

The super-heated steam melts the ice off of hoses, ladders and vehicles.

• Brush Unit: A vehicle that is a four-wheel-drive, all-terrain unit used to reach hilly, remote and 

marshy areas to extinguish fires involving weeds, grass and other vegetation. Along with 

regular firefighting equipment, it carries its own water, as well as rakes, shovels, and backpack 

extinguishers.

• Ambulance: The fire department staffs EMT-Basic and EMT Paramedic ambulances to 

provide emergency medical services to the city. These are commonly referred to by the slang 

term bus.

• Haz-Tac Ambulance: 39 EMS Units are known as the hazardous material tactical units (HazTac Ambulances), are trained to the haz mat technician level allowing them to provide 

emergency medical care and decontamination in a hazardous environment, in addition to their 

normal duties.

• Rescue Medic: An ALS or paramedic ambulance that are trained to the haz-mat technician 

level and are also trained as rescue medical technicians specializing in medical care in austere 

environments. 

• EMS Conditions Unit: A vehicle that is assigned to an emergency medical service supervisor. 

An emergency medical service supervisor oversees ambulances within his or her assigned area.

• Haz-Tac Battalion Unit: A vehicle that is assigned to an emergency medical service 

supervisor. This officer is the commanding officer of the department’s EMS Special Operations 
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Command (SOC) unit. The officer is trained as a hazmat technician and as rescue technician. 

The unit responds to specialty assignments to oversee the medical management at special 

assignments and the overall operation of the Haz-Tac Battalion.

Training and Experience

The state of New York requires that fire departments train career fire fighters to a level equivalent to 

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional 

Qualifications [NFPA 2013a]. The state also requires 100 hours of annual in-service training. 

The fire department operates and maintains its own fire training academy. Recruits are selected from a 

civil service examination list maintained by the city. The fire department requires all fire fighters to 

complete an 18-week training program at the department’s fire academy. At the completion of recruit 

school, the fire fighter recruit receives the following certifications: 

• NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications; Fire Fighter I and Fire 

Fighter II

• NFPA 472, Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass 

Destruction Incidents, Awareness and Operations 

• Certified First Responder – Defibrillator (CFR-D). 

After graduating from the fire academy, the recruits go through an 18-month probationary period. The 

recruit fire fighter becomes a probationary fire fighter and is assigned to an engine company or ladder 

company. The probationary fire fighter is evaluated by the officer at 3, 5, 8, 11, and 17 months. 

In-service training for fire department members consists of the following: 

• Company-level training 

• Fire Academy – All companies attend training at the Fire Academy at least twice a month. As 

many as 60 companies per day go out of service and report to the academy for training. 

• KIOSK training: The fire department operates a number of websites and on-line training 

materials devoted to member training, safety, and preparedness. This training process is 

designed to assist with keeping members informed of the latest tactics and information from 

department and fire service subject matter experts. Members are required to complete 1 hour of 

training per each tour worked (day and night tours). 

All training at the Fire Academy is tracked electronically allowing the training division staff to identify 

fire fighters whose training needs updating. All instructors at the Fire Academy are New York-state 

certified fire instructors (NFPA 1041, Standard on Fire Service Instructor Professional 

Qualifications). 

All new company officers receive both company officer level training and certified instructor training 

at the Fire Academy. This company officer development training includes: 

Lieutenant

• First Line Supervisor School – 6 weeks (state of New York mandated)
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• NFPA 1041, Standard on Fire Service Instructor Professional Qualifications, Instructor I;

• Participate in MOAD (Mother of All Drills);

Captain

• 6 weeks of Officer In-Service Training

• MOAD Drills

• Focus on Personnel Management

Battalion Chief

• 7 weeks of Officer In-Service Training

• Incident Management System Training

o High-Rise Strategy and Tactics

o Hazardous Materials Mitigation

Deputy Chief

• 2 weeks of Officer In-Service Training

• ICS Training

o Forecasting

Specialized Training

Chauffeur’s School

• Engine

• Ladder

• Rescue

Battalion Chief’s Aide/Staff Assistant

• Training Program

Mobile Training Vehicle

• Field Training

• Fireground Self-Extraction/Self Rescue (Mayday)

Daily Training

• 60 companies out of service per day

o 20 companies during the daytime

o 20 companies during the afternoon

o 20 companies at night

The fire fighter who was riding the outside vent position on TL 135 on April 20, 2017 had the 

following training and certifications.
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Course Description Completion Dates

CFR-D Program 12/07/2003

Fire Suppression and Control 12/07/2003

Hazardous Materials – Operations Level 12/07/2003

CPR Refresher 12/07/2003

Positional Harness and Life Safety Rope 01/16/2004

Fire Scenario – Private Dwellings 05/16/2004

EEO Training 05/12/2004

EEO Training 08/25/2004

Fire Scenario – Subway Drill 10/04/2004

Emergency Response Plan 05/26/2005

Critique Vehicle Extraction – Hurst Tool 11/02/2005

Personal Safety System 03/12/2006

Critique Search Tactical Unit 04/13/2006

Critique Search Rope Tactical Unit 04/13/2006

Tactical FAST Pack 04/13/2006

Unconscious Fire Fighter Removal 04/13/2006

Foam Carrier Training 04/26/2006

Tactical Search Rope 11/21/2006

Tactical FAST Pack 11/21/2006

Unconscious Fire Fighter Removal 11/21/2006

CFR-D Refresher 12/07/2006

Personal Safety System 03/04/2007

Flashover Simulator 04/25/2007

LIRR Hillside Yard Subway Familiarization 07/13/2007

Critique Life Saving Rope 08/01/2007

Subway Emergencies (Practical Drill) 10/09/2007

Chauffeur – Engine Company 02/27/2008

Flashover Simulator 05/12/2008

Injury Reduction Program 05/14/2008

LIRR Hillside Yard Subway Familiarization 05/16/2008

Injury Reduction Program 05/19/2008

Vehicle Extrication – Hurst Tool 08/06/2008

Wind Driven Fires 08/25/2008

Personal Safety System 02/05/2010

Ice and Cold Water Rescues 08/24/2010

Surf Rescue 08/24/2010

Personal Safety System 12/04/2010

Subway Emergencies (Practical Drill) 01/04/2011

Forcible Entry 04/02/2011
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Course Description Completion Dates

SCBA Mask Confidence Course 04/02/2011

Mayday Drill 04/02/2011

MTA Hybrid Bus Drill 05/05/2011

Fire Fighter Survival, PPE and Safety 05/27/2011

Fire Dynamics 05/27/2011

Mayday – PPT 05/27/2011

AED – Health and Fitness 05/27/2011

Terrorism Awareness 05/27/2011

Subway Tactical Drill 07/18/2011

SCBA Mask Confidence Course 09/17/2011

Mobile Training Vehicle 09/17/2011

Mayday Drill 09/17/2011

Forcible Entry 09/17/2011

Life Safety Rope 09/27/2011

Life Safety Rope 06/06/2012

Flashover Simulator 08/20/2012

Search 08/20/2012

Fire Fighter Survival, PPE and Safety 08/20/2012

Flashover 08/20/2012

Emergency Response/Terrorism Awareness 01/08/2013

Unconscious Fire Fighter Removal 03/22/2013

FAST Company Operations 03/22/2013

FAST Pak 03/22/2013

Subway Emergencies (Practical Drill) 05/08/2013

Subway Emergencies (Practical Drill) 06/07/2013

FAST Company Operations 08/29/2013

Foam Carrier Training 10/23/2013

Subway Tactical Drill 01/29/2014

Forcible Entry 04/01/2014

Nasal NARCAN Training 05/04/2014

Roof Operations 08/06/2014

Search 02/11/2015

Mayday Communications 07/23/2015

Forcible Entry 10/03/2015

Subway Emergencies (Practical Drill) 02/24/2016

Emergency Response to Terrorism 09/01/2016
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The fire fighter who was the ladder company chauffeur from TL135 on April 20, 2017 had the 

following training and certifications.

Course Description Completion Dates

Fire Suppression and Control 12/07/2003

Hazardous Materials – Operations Level 12/07/2003

CPR Refresher 12/18/2003

Positional Harness and Life Safety Rope 01/16/2004

CFR-D Refresher 12/18/2013

Foam Carrier Training 10/13/2004

Search Rope 10/14/2004

Life Saving Rope 10/14/2004

Roof Operations 04/26/2005

Life Saving Rope 05/13/2005

Roof Operations 05/13/2005

Emergency Response Plan 05/17/2005

EEO 08/24/2005

Personal Safety System 03/06/2006

Flashover Simulator 05/30/2006

Hose Lays and Stretches 09/14/2006

Personal Safety System 10/06/2007

Vehicle Extrication – Hurst Tool 10/17/2007

Hazardous Materials Awareness 12/24/2007

Subway Emergencies (Practical Drill) 01/30/2008

LIRR Hillside Yard Subway Familiarization 04/18/2008

Flashover Simulator 04/25/2007

LIRR Hillside Yard Subway Familiarization 07/13/2007

Injury Reduction Program 08/01/2007

Subway Emergencies (Practical Drill) 10/09/2007

Chauffeur – Engine Company 02/27/2008

Flashover Simulator 05/12/2008

Injury Reduction Program 09/24/2008

Mayday 10/01/2008

Search Operations 10/01/2008

Flashover Simulator 11/07/2008

Mayday 10/01/2008

Search Operations 10/01/2008

Subway Emergencies (Practical Drill) 07/02/2009

Life Saving Rope 11/19/2009

Cell Phone Site – PPT Presentation 01/15/2010

Forcible Entry 01/15/2010
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Course Description Completion Dates

Communications Leader - ICS 01/15/2010

Wind Driven Fires/Fire Blanket Operations 01/15/2010

Patient Packaging 01/15/2010

Search Operations 08/19/2010

Gas Emergencies 01/25/2011

Search Operations 01/25/2011

Mayday – PPT 01/25/2011

Terrorism Awareness 01/25/2011

Personal Safety System 06/01/2011

Water Safety Kit 08/05/2011

FAST Pak 08/08/2011

FAST Company Operations 08/08/2011

Mayday Drill 10/26/2011

Unconscious Fire Fighter Removal 03/09/2012

FAST Pak 03/09/2012

Subway Emergencies (Practical Drill) 09/05/2012

Emergency Response/Terrorism Awareness 02/14/2013

Pak Tracker Operations 08/15/2013

Foam Carrier 10/23/2013

Foam Carrier 09/08/2014

Unconscious Fire Fighter Removal 09/19/2014

Nasal NARCAN Training 11/14/2014

Personal Safety System 01/16/2015

Personal Safety System 07/18/2015

Forcible Entry 10/03/2015

Emergency Response to Terrorism 09/28/2016

Emergency Response to Terrorism 01/17/2017

Equipment and Personnel

On April 20, 2017 at 1420 hours, Box 4017 was transmitted for an apartment fire. The following units 

were dispatched:

• Battalion 44: 

o A battalion chief and chief’s aide 

• Engine 277: 

o Officer 

o Engine company chauffer (ECC) 

o Nozzle 

o Backup 

o Control 
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• Engine 286: 

o Officer 

o Engine company chauffer (ECC) 

o Nozzle 

o Backup 

o Control 

 

• Engine 291: 

o Officer 

o Engine company chauffer (ECC) 

o Nozzle 

o Backup 

o Control 

• Ladder 112 

o Officer

o Ladder company chauffer (LCC)

o Roof 

o Outside vent 

o Irons 

o Can 

• Tower Ladder 135 

o Officer

o Ladder company chauffer (LCC)

o Roof 

o Outside vent 

o Irons 

o Can 

Apparatus 

The apparatus involved was a 75-foot tower ladder manufactured in a 2010. The apparatus was placed 

in service on March 4, 2011 as Tower Ladder 135. The department operates both 75-foot and 95-foot 

tower ladders. 

The boom assembly consists of four box sections which telescope within each other. The first section 

is alloyed steel and the three telescope sections are aluminum alloy. The extension mechanism consists 

of two double acting cylinders which provide power extension and retraction. The basket or platform is 

constructed of alloy aluminum and has a floor area of approximately 15 square feet. Permanently 

mounted on the front surface of the platform is a Stang Intelligiant Nozzle, permitting flexibility in 
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Report # F2017-11

water tower operations. The underside of the floor and the front railing of the basket may be covered 

with a fire resistant shield. 

Whenever a tower ladder is in operation, the pedestal position must be staffed. This provides an extra 

pair of eyes to warn of impending danger and override basket controls in an emergency. Three controls 

similar to those on a metal aerial ladder are provided on the turntable. These controls are for raising 

and lowering, extending and retracting, and rotating the boom assembly. Operating controls at the 

pedestal allows for smoother operation than the controls in the basket. The controls include: 

• Master Power Switch - Supplies electrical power for the Master Control Valve, Master Console 

panel lights, engine start, dead-man control and platform (basket) controls 

• Engine Start Button - allows engine to be re-started in case of stall from the Master Control 

Console 

• Platform Control (Basket) - Activates the basket control station

• Dead-man Control - Depressing the foot pedal at base of console (pedestal) activates the system 

and the engine throttle control. This movement also deactivates the basket controls by 

activating the hydraulic system in case of electrical failure. The use of the platform control 

switch is necessary whenever members or civilians enter or leave elevated basket. This is to 

insure against movement of basket by accidentally touching the platform control handle. 

The tower ladder is provided with an intercommunication system (intercom), allowing for basket to 

pedestal communications and vice versa, which is the most effective means of communications 

between basket and pedestal.

In the department’s SOP on tower ladder operations, under General Precautions, the following safety 

precaution is described. “No member shall operate in the basket unless he is wearing the installed 

safety belt or a life belt or Personal Harness which is secured to a substantial part of basket. If this is 

too confining, it is possible to provide working room by forming a loop, one foot in diameter, in a 

lifesaving rope around a substantial part of the basket using a bowline to secure the loop, then hook the 

life belt or Personal Harness onto this loop.” 

Structure

The structure was a five-story H-Type apartment building, which was classified as a Class 3 Non-fire 

proof occupancy (See Photo 1). The apartment building was constructed in 1927. The building had 

wing stairs (stairs served that wing only and did not transverse to the other wing). There are 10 

apartments per floor, 5 in the “A” wing and 5 in the “B” wing on all floors except the 1st floor which 

had 9 apartments. There were no elevators in this building. 

The parapet was the standard 41 inches high with a concrete cap (See Photo 2). The building had an 

inverted roof or raised roof. Note: A raised roof is defined as a roof which is raised above the roof 

beams and supported by 2 x 4"s. The extent to which it is raised varies, to provide proper roof 

drainage. The result is a large open cockloft where fire can spread easily. This type of roof is also 

called an inverted, reversed or rain roof. The apartment building had 2 fire escapes on the front (Side 
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Fire Fighter Dies after a Fall from the Platform of an Elevated 

Tower Ladder – New York

Report # F2017-11

Alpha), 2 in the rear (Side Charlie), and 3 on the Exposure 2 Side (Side Bravo) courtyard. The 

apartments were designated by the number of the floor and the letter is the apartment number (e.g. 

Apartment 2A is the A apartment on the 2nd floor.

This apartment building was called a New Law Tenement, which were tenements built between 

4/12/1901 and 4/18/1929. The following was a basic design of these tenements:

• Generally six or seven stories high

• 35 feet to 50 feet wide

• 85 feet in depth

• Five to six apartments per floor

• The first floor (cellar ceiling) is of fireproof construction and unpierced

• The entrance to the cellar is by way of exterior stairs

• The interior stairs are fireproof and enclosed in partitions of fireproof construction

• Apartment doors are constructed of fire resistant materials

• The second means of egress is either another stairway or an exterior fire escape. The

fire escape is more generally found in these buildings.

• All interior walls and furred partitions are required to be fire stopped at each story.

• Steel "I" beams were introduced to carry floor joists which couldn't span the enlarged

 floor areas. These steel beams generally were supported by masonry walls.

Photo 1. The fire building is the H-Type apartment building, second from the left. 

(NIOSH diagram adapted from Google Earth.)
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Fire Fighter Dies after a Fall from the Platform of an Elevated 

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Report # F2017-11

New law tenements built between 1916 and 1929 had the following design features:

• These tenement had a much larger floor area (e.g. 150 feet x 200 feet)

• To avoid being required to be built of fireproof construction, the floor areas were

broken up into areas of 2,500 square feet or less. This means that between some apartments 

there are brick or fireproof partitions which effectively limit the horizontal spread of fire. 

However, these dividing walls only go as high as the ceiling of the top floor. This results in a 

very large undivided cockloft area. Fire can, and often does, spread throughout this large 

cockloft area.

• Unprotected steel beams are used to support some of the wood floor joists. These steel beams 

are supported by vertical steel columns which run the height of the building.

Photo 2. The parapet wall on the roof of the fire building. The height of the 

parapet wall is 41 inches including its concrete cap.

(NIOSH Photograph.)
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Fire Fighter Dies after a Fall from the Platform of an Elevated 

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• Wooden floor joists (beams) run horizontally from brick wall to a steel girder or from a steel 

girder to a steel girder.

• There are dumbwaiter shafts located in the apartments. In most cases, 2 apartments share 1 

dumbwaiter. They terminate on the roof in a bulkhead with a skylight on top. 

• The structure is not sprinklered. 

Timeline 

The following timeline is a summary of events that occurred as the incident evolved. Not all incident 

events are included in this timeline. The times are approximate and were obtained by studying the

dispatch records, audio recordings, witness statements, and other available information. This timeline 

also lists the changing fire behavior indicators and conditions reported, as well as fire department 

response and fireground operations. All times are approximate and rounded to the closest minute. This 

timeline is not intended, nor should it be used, as a formal record of events.

Dispatch Communications & Fire 

Department Response

Time Fireground Communications & 

Fireground Operations

9-1-1 call received at the borough 

dispatch center for a report of an 

apartment fire.

1419 

Hours

Response ticket assigned and units 

dispatched for an apartment fire. Battalion 

44, Engine 277, Engine 286, and Engine 

291; Ladder 112 and Ladder 135 were 

dispatched on the 1st Alarm for Box 4017.

1420 

Hours

Engine 277 arrived on scene. 1422 

Hours

Dispatcher advised the officer of E277 

of two additional addresses for the 

apartment fire in addition to the original 

address. 

Ladder 112 arrived on scene. 

1423 

Hours

Ladder 112 trying to locate the fire 

apartment based upon the dispatcher’s 

information. 

Engine 286 and Tower Ladder 135 

arrived on scene. 

1424 

Hours

Engine 286 preparing to stretch a 13⁄4-

inch hoseline to the fire apartment. 
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Fire Fighter Dies after a Fall from the Platform of an Elevated 

Tower Ladder – New York

Report # F2017-11

Dispatch Communications & Fire 

Department Response

Time Fireground Communications & 

Fireground Operations

Ladder 112 Officer advised the 

Borough Dispatcher transmit a “10-75” 

for Box 4017. The additional response 

for the 10-75 to Box 4017 was: 

Battalion 35, Squad 252, which was 

assigned as Engine 252, Squad 288, 

Ladder 140 (FAST Truck), and Rescue 

4

The officer of Ladder 112 assumed 

Command.

1425 

Hours

The fire located in Apartment 2A in a 

middle apartment building on the 

block. The ladder company chauffeur 

(LLC) of Ladder 112 raised the aerial 

ladder to the roof.

Battalion 44 arrived on scene at Box 

4017. BC44 assumed Command. 

1430 

Hours

1431 

Hours

The roof fire fighter from L112 advised 

that the bulkhead door to the fire 

building was open. Also civilian was 

located next to the bulkhead door.

The officer of E277 advised the 

borough dispatcher that the fire was 

knocked down. A primary search is still 

being conducted in the fire apartment. 

1432 

Hours

The officer of Ladder 112 advised 

Command that the fire was in 

Apartment 2A and the primary search 

was negative. The officer of Tower 

Ladder 135 advised Command that the 

primary search in Apartment 3A was 

negative. 
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Fire Fighter Dies after a Fall from the Platform of an Elevated 

Tower Ladder – New York

Report # F2017-11

Dispatch Communications & Fire 

Department Response

Time Fireground Communications & 

Fireground Operations

1434 

Hours

The OV fire fighter for TL135 was in 

the platform of the tower ladder. The 

LCC had the tower ladder at Exposure 

2 (Exposure Bravo) and then moved 

the tower ladder to the fire building.

The LCC moved the tower ladder 

towards the roof of Exposure Delta. 

The LCC of TL135 asked the OV fire 

fighter to take over operations of the 

tower ladder from the platform as the 

tower ladder extended.

Battalion 35 arrived on scene. 1435 

Hours

1436 

Hours

Command called TL135 to shut off the 

electrical service in Apartment 2A.

1437 

Hours

The TL135 roof fire fighter walked to 

the platform of TL135 to ask the 

TL135 OV about the occupant on the 

roof.

The OV tried to move the TL135 

platform, but no movement occurred. 

The OV of TL135 asked the LCC to 

take over operations of the tower ladder 

from the platform due to issues with the 

joystick.

14:38:58 

Hours

The platform broke free of the concrete 

cap, ejecting the OV out of the 

platform.
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Fire Fighter Dies after a Fall from the Platform of an Elevated 

Tower Ladder – New York

Report # F2017-11

Dispatch Communications & Fire 

Department Response

Time Fireground Communications & 

Fireground Operations

14:38:59

Hours

Mayday was called for the OV fire 

fighter falling five stories and landing 

on the concrete sidewalk.

1439 

Hours

The OV fire fighter of TL135 is on the 

sidewalk being treated by other fire 

fighter. 

Command advised the L112 roof fire 

fighter not to move the platform.

1440 

Hours

Again, Command advised the LCC of 

TL135 not to move the platform.

Medic Unit 45Y continued patient care.

1441 

Hours

TL135 Roof fire fighter to Apartment 

2A.

Command advised E277 and L112 to 

continue firefighting operations in 

Apartment 2A
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Fire Fighter Dies after a Fall from the Platform of an Elevated 

Tower Ladder – New York

Report # F2017-11

Dispatch Communications & Fire 

Department Response

Time Fireground Communications & 

Fireground Operations

The Borough Dispatch Center 

transmitted a 10-66 for Box 4017. 

Note: The following units are 

dispatched for a lost, missing, 

trapped, or seriously injured fire 

fighter, which increases the response 

by transmission of the next higher 

alarm. Units dispatched are 1 

additional deputy chief, 2 battalion 

chiefs, the collapse unit from the 

borough of incident, a collapse rescue 

task force, an additional squad, a 

SOC Support ladder, a FAST unit, a 

CFR-D engine, SOC Logistics support 

van, SOC Compressor truck, SOC 

Dewatering unit, Public Information 

officer, EMS division captain, EMS 

Haz-Tac officer, a BLS ambulance, an 

ALS ambulance, an EMS Rescue 

Paramedic ambulance, OMA 

response physician and a medical 

officer.

Command advised the Borough 

Dispatcher to cancel the 10-66 except 

for the response of the Safety 

Battalion.

Medic Unit 45Y advised the Borough 

Dispatcher they were enroute to the 

hospital. BC35 was in the ambulance 

with TL135 OV fire fighter.

1442 

Hours

1443 

Hours

The L112 advised Command that the 

secondary search was negative.

Command requested police for traffic 

control.

1444 

Hours
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Fire Fighter Dies after a Fall from the Platform of an Elevated 

Tower Ladder – New York 

Report # F2017-11

Dispatch Communications & Fire 

Department Response

Time Fireground Communications & 

Fireground Operations

Command (BC44) advised that the 

borough dispatcher the status of the 

fire was “will hold”. 

1451 

Hours

Command to Borough Dispatcher, 

“Command has been dissolved and all 

units are clearing.”

1956 

Hours

Personal Protective Equipment

At the time of the incident, the OV fire fighter from Tower Ladder 135 was wearing his full array of 

firefighting turnout gear including boots, bunker pants, bunker coat, self-contained breathing apparatus 

(SCBA) with integrated PASS device, fire resistant hood, and helmet. The fire fighter had his 

structural firefighting gloves, but was not wearing them. The OV fire fighter was equipped with a 

personal escape system but was not tethered to the platform. 

None of the fire fighter’s turnout gear or SCBA were evaluated or tested and were not considered to be 

contributing factors in this incident. 

Weather Conditions 

At 1351 hours on April 20, 2017, the following weather conditions were reported. The temperature 

was 60 degrees Fahrenheit (60o F), the dew point was 50 degrees Fahrenheit (50.09o F), the relative 

humidity was 69%, and the winds were from the ENE at 8 miles per hour. There were scattered clouds 

with 10 miles visibility. There had been no precipitation in the past 5 hours [Weather Underground 

2017]. The weather was not considered to be a factor in this incident. 

Investigation 

On April 20, 2017 at 1420 hours, the fire department dispatched Battalion 44, Engine 277, Engine 286, 

Engine 29, Ladder 112, and Tower Ladder 135 for Box 4017. This was for a report of an apartment fire

in a 5-story apartment building. Prior to the dispatch of Box 4017, a 10-77 (working high-rise multiple 

dwelling fire) was transmitted for another box near across the border from the borough Box 4017 was 

transmitted. Due to the 10-77 being transmitted, this altered the response ticket to this incident. On this 

block there were four 5-story apartment buildings connected to each other. The dispatcher gave 

responding units two additional addresses for the fire. The addresses were for two of these apartment 

buildings. The apartment fire was actually in the apartment building that was not identified by address. 
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Fire Fighter Dies after a Fall from the Platform of an Elevated 

Tower Ladder – New York

Report # F2017-11

Engine 277 arrived on scene at 1422 hours. Ladder 112 arrived on scene at 1423 hours. The outside 

vent (OV) fire fighter from Ladder 112 found the fire, which was communicated, to the officer of 

Ladder 112, who then called a 10-75 at 1425 hours. Per the department’s SOP, a ladder company has 

the responsibility to find the location of the fire at all fire incidents.

The officer of Ladder 112 called a 10-75 (Note: A 10-75 is a notification signal transmitted when, in 

the judgment of the Incident Commander, conditions indicate a fire or emergency that requires an 

additional response of resources) for Box 4017 at 1425 hours. The officer of Ladder 112 was 

Command until the arrival of Battalion 44 at 1430 hours. The additional response for the 10-75 to Box 

4017 was: Battalion 35, Squad 252, which was assigned as Engine 252, Squad 288, Ladder 140 (FAST 

Truck), and Rescue 4.

Tower Ladder 135 arrived on scene behind Ladder 112 at 1424 hours. Engine 277 stretched a 13⁄4-inch 

hoseline into the fire building. The fire was located in Apartment 2A. Engine 291 stretched the back-up 

13⁄4-inch hoseline into the building. The officer of Tower Ladder 135, the forcible entry man, and can 

man went to the 3rd floor (Apartment 3A). The roof man of Tower Ladder 135 went to the roof via 

Ladder 112. He met the roof man of Ladder 112. The outside vent fire fighter (OV) of Tower Ladder 

135 was going around to the rear of the building (Side 3 or Side Charlie) but stayed on Side 1 (Side 

Alpha) due to the occupants in the windows. He then went to the platform of the tower ladder. The 

ladder company chauffeur (LCC) of Tower Ladder 135 was on the pedestal. The LCC first placed the 

tower ladder to Exposure Bravo, but then moved the platform over to the fire building to a 2nd floor 

window to check on a woman. The woman was fine and told to stay in her apartment. The LCC then 

moved the platform towards the 5th floor for a woman on the fire escape. At this time, the LCC radioed

the OV fire fighter to take over the controls of the platform as it neared the 4th floor. The LCC stated he 

couldn’t judge depth perception, so it was better for the OV fire fighter to operate the platform. The 

OV fire fighter checked on the woman on the 5th floor fire escape. The woman was fine and told to go 

down to the street by the interior stairs of the next apartment building. 

Battalion 44 arrived on scene at 1430 hours and assumed Command. The fire was knocked down at 

1431 hours as communicated from the officer of Engine 277 to Command (Battalion 44). The fire was 

knocked down with one 13⁄4-inch hoseline. 

The OV fire fighter from Tower Ladder 135 then started to move the platform towards the roof. The 

OV fire fighter placed the platform over the parapet wall of the fire building. The roof man from

Ladder 112 walked over to talk to the OV fire fighter. The platform was on the inside of the parapet 

wall and at almost maximum extension. With the fire knocked down in Apartment 2A, the Tower 

Ladder L135 OV fire fighter tried to raise, but not extend the platform, which did not move. The OV

fire fighter wasn’t sure of the problem that was keeping the platform from raising. The OV fire fighter

asked the LCC to take over the operations of the platform. Unknown to the OV fire fighter, the 

platform was caught on the inside of the parapet wall underneath the platform by brackets used to 

stabilize the platform (See Photo 3 and Photo 4). The investigation was unable to determine what 

caused the platform to come loose from the parapet wall. The violent reaction of the platform coming 
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Fire Fighter Dies after a Fall from the Platform of an Elevated 

Tower Ladder – New York

Report # F2017-11

loose from the parapet wall caused the OV fire fighter to be thrown out of the platform. The TL135 

OV fire fighter fell 5 stories (approximately 60 feet) to the concrete sidewalk below.

Battalion 35 arrived on scene at 1435 hours as part of the “10-75” response. Battalion 35 was in the 

street with the apparatus awaiting an assignment.

After the OV fire fighter fell, a Mayday was transmitted by Battalion 35 at 1439 hours, which was 

19:52 minutes into the incident. A 10-66 was then transmitted for Box 4017 followed by the 

transmission of a 2nd Alarm for Box 4017 at 1442 hours. The 2nd Alarm was then cancelled by 

Command. All units on the 2nd Alarm were cancelled except for the Safety Battalion.

Fire fighters from other companies rushed to provide medical care to the fire fighter. The fire fighter 

was moved to a stretcher and placed in Medic Unit 45Y, which departed the fire scene at 1443 hours 

arriving at the trauma center at 1445 hours. The fire fighter was pronounced dead at 1518 hours.

Photo 3. The yellow circles indicate the damage caused by the brackets on the bottom of 

TL135 when the platform came loose from the parapet wall. 

(NIOSH Photograph.)
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Fire Fighter Dies after a Fall from the Platform of an Elevated 

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Report # F2017-11

The fire was declared under control at 1456 hours by Command (BC44). Command was dissolved at 

1956 hours. 

Contributing Factors

Occupational injuries and fatalities are often the result of one or more contributing factors or key 

events in a larger sequence of events that ultimately result in the injury or fatality. NIOSH 

investigators identified the following items as key contributing factors in this incident that ultimately 

led to the fatality: 

Photo 4. The yellow circle indicates the part of the tower ladder that was caught on the 

parapet wall. Each tower ladder has a bracket on both sides of the platform. This is not 

the tower ladder involved in the incident, but one with the same design as Tower 

Ladder 134. 

(NIOSH Photograph.)
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Fire Fighter Dies after a Fall from the Platform of an Elevated 

Tower Ladder – New York 

Report # F2017-11

• Building construction and roof operations 

• Procedures for operation of a tower ladder 

• Apparatus platform design 

• Training 

• Multi-family residential building not sprinklered

Cause of Death

According to the death certificate, the medical examiner listed the fire fighter’s cause of death as

multiple blunt impact injuries.

Recommendations 

Recommendation #1: Fire departments should ensure that fire fighters recognize roof design, height 

restrictions, and safety issues when operating tower ladders in the vicinity of parapet walls.

Discussion: The department’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) for aerial ladders and tower 

ladders discuss placement and operations for the variety of buildings encountered throughout the 

different boroughs of the city. It is impossible to describe each scenario that a ladder company will 

encounter during fireground operations. The fire department provides the necessary training for fire 

fighters that operate aerial ladders and tower ladders. The fire department’s SOP states, “While 75 feet 

is the nominal height, the actual working height (the bottom of the basket at its highest elevation), is 

little more than 70 feet when boom is at the maximum angle of 75 degrees.” The tower ladder was at 

almost maximum extension. 

In this incident, the stabilizing bars attached to the waterway underneath the platform snagged on the 

concrete cap of the parapet wall, as the OV fire fighter of TL135 was positioning the platform near the 

roof. The OV fire fighter positioned the platform on the inside of the parapet wall which caused the 

platform to become stuck. With the fire knocked down in Apartment 2A, the TL135 OV fire fighter

tried to raise, not extend, but the platform would not move. The OV fire fighter wasn’t sure of the 

problem which kept the platform from raising. The OV fire fighter asked the LCC to take over the 

operations of the platform. The OV fire fighter indicated he thought there was a problem with joystick 

operations. 

The duties of the outside vent position of a ladder company include: assisting the ladder company 

chauffeur in front of the fire building when aerial or portable ladders are needed for rescue or removal;

to ventilate the fire area from the exterior providing horizontal ventilation; or if the location of the fire 

apartment is not obvious from the exterior of the building, the OV should communicate with their 

officer.

The OV fire fighter for TL135 was originally going to go to Side 3 (Side Charlie) to determine if 

ventilation needed to occur, when the tower ladder arrived. The OV fire fighter for TL135 never made 

an attempt to go to the rear of the building due to the occupants in the front of the building. He noticed 
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Fire Fighter Dies after a Fall from the Platform of an Elevated 

Tower Ladder – New York 

Report # F2017-11

a civilian in a 2nd floor window. He got into the platform of TL135 and told the LCC to take him to the 

2nd floor window. Eventually, the fire fighter took the platform to the roof of the fire building. 

At this incident, there was no need for the rescue of occupants of the fire building via the tower ladder. 

There was one resident on the front fire escape of the fire building that the OV fire fighter was going to 

put into the platform. However, the occupant stated she did not need assistance. The OV fire fighter 

from TL135 then positioned the platform over the parapet. The roof fire fighter had talked to the OV 

fire fighter and then turned away when he heard a loud noise and the OV fire fighter was not in the 

platform. He rushed to the parapet wall and saw the OV fire fighter laying on the sidewalk. Based upon 

the interviews of fire fighters at this incident, no one realized that the platform was stuck on the 

parapet wall.

Recommendation #2: Ensure that tower ladders and other aerial platforms are designed to reduce or 

eliminate the potential for snagging on buildings or other surfaces.

Discussion: Aerial platform apparatus are typically required to be maneuvered in close proximity to 

buildings and structures of various different configurations and construction materials. The aerial 

device should be designed to reduce or eliminate the potential to snag or catch on buildings or other 

structures as the platform is being maneuvered into place. Some options, such as lifting eyes or lights 

that protrude below the platform should be avoided. While it may be impossible to reconfigure a 

manufacturer’s basic aerial platform design, it is essential that aerial operators be aware of any possible 

snag or catch hazards and operate accordingly. 

When a fire fighter wants to lower an aerial platform that is several inches above a parapet wall or 

resting on it, the fire fighter must make sure that the aerial platform is clear of the parapet wall before 

lowering the aerial platform. When the platform needs to be repositioned, the fire fighter should raise 

the platform, lifting the platform several feet above the parapet wall. Then the fire fighter can retract 

the platform without snagging or catching the aerial platform on the parapet wall [Dunn 1988]. 

Therefore, just about every manufacturer stipulates that their aerial device is designed to be operated in 

cantilever (above the roof) and should not be placed directly on the roof. Instead, the aerial device

should be positioned so a gap exists between the platform and the roof. If at this time, the aerial device

touches the roof or parapet, there should not be force created by personnel to create any damage.

Preplanning, group discussions, drills and post fire critiques all aid immeasurably in the development 

of an efficient firefighting unit. They, in turn, provide the climate for the teamwork and coordination 

that is so vital at tenement fires where lives so frequently depend on the proper execution of numerous 

and diverse assignments. Assignments should be carried out and objectives achieved. If fire fighters 

have to improvise to accomplish their objectives, then that too becomes part of their tasks. Decisions 

on the fireground must be made instantaneously and under great stress. Firefighters continuously study 

and train to improve their knowledge, skills, and abilities so they are fully prepared to make the best 

decision possible when confronted with difficult or unusual situations. 
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Fire Fighter Dies after a Fall from the Platform of an Elevated 

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At this incident, the OV fire fighter for Tower Ladder 135 raised to the platform to the roof of the fire 

building. The fire fighter placed the platform over the parapet wall. He did not realize the brackets on 

the bottom of the platform became caught on the parapet wall. 

Recommendation #3: Ensure fire fighters use a ladder belt and escape harness carabineer to 

secure to the platform during tower ladder operations.

Discussion: The use of safety belts when operating on an aerial ladder or tower ladder is required by 

the NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness [NFPA 

2018]. Paragraph 8.6.12 states, “When members are operating from aerial devices, they shall be 

secured to the aerial device with a system in compliance with NFPA 1983, Standard on Life Safety 

Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services” [NFPA 2018]. 

NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus requires that a platform have attachment points 

in which fall protection harnesses or rope can be attached. At least one attachment point should be 

available for each 250 pounds load rating of the platform. Anchorage points provided for fall 

protection harnesses should be clearly labeled and rated for a minimum of 450 pounds [NFPA 2016]. 

The fire department’s SOP on tower ladder operations, under General Precautions, describe the 

following safety precaution. “No member shall operate in the basket unless he is wearing the installed 

safety belt or a life belt or personal harness, which is secured to a substantial part of basket. If this is 

too confining, it is possible to provide working room by forming a loop, one foot in diameter, in a 

lifesaving rope around a substantial part of the basket using a bowline to secure the loop, then hook the 

life belt or personal harness onto this loop.” Each fire fighter and fire officer in the department wears 

turnout gear equipped with a personal escape system (See Photo 5). The personal escape system has 

the five common components: 

• an anchor hook with hitching slot. 

• a descent control device. 

• 50 feet of heat-resistant and cut-resistant rope (typically 7.5 mm diameter).

• a connection carabineer.

• a carrying pack that contains the above and fits into the bellows pocket of turnout gear pants. 

A fire fighter operating in a tower ladder platform should know the attachment points for the personal 

escape system carbineer. This would prevent the fire fighter from being ejected from the platform due 

to a violent reaction similar to the incident involving Tower Ladder 135 

The fire fighter assigned to the roof from Tower Ladder 135 stated that he saw the OV fire fighter 

outside of the platform when it was stuck on the parapet wall. He thought the fire fighter was going to 

jump or climb down to the roof. 

Fire departments must ensure that before an aerial platform is moved, there is clear communications 

between the fire fighter in the platform and the ladder company chauffeur as to what needs to occur in 
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Fire Fighter Dies after a Fall from the Platform of an Elevated 

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Report # F2017-11

terms of safety. The fire department standard operating procedure should require that the fire fighter in 

the platform exit the platform if possible. If this is not an option, then the fire fighter in the platform 

should be secured or tethered to the interior of the platform.

At this incident, the OV fire fighter was equipped with a personal escape system but was not tethered 

to the platform. When the platform came loose from the parapet wall, the violent reaction caused the 

fire fighter to be catapulted over the rails of the platform.

Photo 5. The webbing and carbineer used by the fire department as part of their 

personal escape system.

(Photograph from the World Wide Web.)
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Fire Fighter Dies after a Fall from the Platform of an Elevated 

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Recommendation #4: Fire departments should provide proficiency training for fire fighters on the 

operations of tower ladders.

Discussion: All members of the fire department should be required to maintain proficiency of their 

defined duties and functions. NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety, Health, 

and Wellness Program requires this to occur annually. Paragraph 5.3.3 states, “Members shall practice 

assigned skill sets on a regular basis but not less than annually [NFPA 2018]. 

The New York State Public Employee Safety and Health (PESH) Act document, Firefighter Annual 

Refresher Training Guidance is designed to maintain proficient fire fighter knowledge, skills and 

abilities in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.156(c)(2) and increase overall firefighter safety in 

accordance with other applicable OSHA/PESH standards. This document pertains only to the annual 

refresher training. OSHA/PESH Standard 29 CFR 1910.156(c)(2) requires that fire department training 

programs be designed to address annually the proficiency of each member’s knowledge and abilities as 

it relates to that member’s expected assignment. Such assignments may include exterior fire fighter, 

interior fire fighter, apparatus operator, fire officer/incident commander and fire training officer 

[NYSPESH 2018]. 

The annual refresher training should be comprised of current content and of sufficient duration so that 

each member can demonstrate knowledge and abilities in their assigned duties. It is important to 

maintain documentation of all training conducted to comply with these requirements While no specific 

time is allotted to the annual training or specific topics (e.g. 8 hours), this clarification is not intended 

to shorten the previously established timeframe, but to provide the flexibility to adjust the length of 

time spent on specific topics that the department feels are necessary [NYSPESH 2018]. 

Many fire departments have chosen to use a minimum company standards program to meet or comply 

with the proficiency evaluation requirements of NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department 

Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness Program [NFPA 2018]. This can be done on the company 

level or through the fire department’s training academy. 

Also, fire departments should ensure information regarding the operations of tower ladders near 

parapet walls is in their standard operating procedure. 

In this incident, based upon the training records, it is unknown if the OV fire fighter was annually 

evaluated on the operations of the tower ladder. 

Recommendation #5: Code-setting organizations and municipalities should consider requiring the 

use of sprinkler systems in multi-family residential structures.

Discussion: This recommendation focuses on fire prevention and minimizing the impact of a fire if one 

does occur. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire Protection Handbook states: 
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Throughout history, there have been building regulations for preventing fire and restricting its 

spread. Over the years, these regulations have evolved into the codes and standards developed by 

committees concerned with fire protection. The requirements contained in building codes are 

generally based upon the known properties of materials, the hazards presented by various 

occupancies, and the lessons learned from previous experiences, such as fire and natural disasters

[NFPA 2008]. 

Although municipalities have adopted specific codes and standards for the design and construction of 

buildings, structures erected prior to the enactment of these building codes may not be compliant. Such 

new and improved codes can improve the safety of existing structures [NFPA 2008]. Sprinkler systems 

are one example of a safety feature that can be retrofitted into older structures. Sprinkler systems can 

reduce fire fighter and civilian fatalities since such systems can contain and may even extinguish fires 

prior to the arrival of the fire department. 

Fire development beyond the incipient stage presents one of the greatest risks fire fighters are exposed 

to during fireground operations. This risk exposure to fire fighters can be dramatically reduced when 

fires are controlled or extinguished by automatic sprinkler systems. NFPA statistics show that most 

fires in sprinklered buildings are controlled by the activation of one or two sprinkler heads prior to fire 

department arrival. An automatic fire sprinkler system also reduces the exposure risk to fire fighters 

during all phases of fireground operation and allows the safe egress of building occupants before the 

fire department arrives on-scene. Finally, by controlling fire development, the risks associated with the 

potential for structural collapse and during overhaul operations are greatly reduced, if not eliminated. 

References 

Dunn, V. [1988]. Collapse of burning buildings, a guide to fireground safety. Fire Engineering Books 

and Videos, Saddle Brook, NJ. 

NFPA [2016]. NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus. Quincy, MA. National Fire 

Protection Association. 

NFPA [2017]. NFPA 1983, Standard on life safety rope and equipment for emergency services. 

Quincy, MA. National Fire Protection Association.

NFPA [2018]. NFPA 1500, Standard on fire department occupational safety, health, and wellness 

program. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association. 

NIOSH [2009]. Two Career Fire Fighters Die after Falling From Elevated Aerial Platform – Texas.

Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, F2009-06, 

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200906.html
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Tower Ladder – New York 

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NYSPESH [2018]. Fire Fighter Annual Refresher Guidelines, New York State Public Employee 

Safety and Health, Albany, NY. Date accessed: February 14, 2018. 

http://www.dhses.ny.gov/ofpc/training/documents/fire-dept-annual-refresher.pdf

Peters, William C. [2009]. Aerial training accident results in firefighter deaths. Fire Engineering. 

October 1, 2009. Date accessed: February 14, 2018. 

http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/print/volume-162/issue-10/features/aerial-trainingaccident.html

Weather Underground. Weather history for KLGA, Thursday, April 20, 2017 Atlanta, GA: The 

Weather Channel Interactive, Inc.,

https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KLGA/2017/4/20/DailyHistory.html?req_city=Ridgew

ood&req_state=NY&req_statename=New+York&reqdb.zip=11385&reqdb.magic=1&reqdb.wmo=999

99 

Investigator Information

This incident was investigated by Murrey E. Loflin, Investigator and Dr. Tom Hales, Medical Officer 

with the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program, Surveillance and Field 

Investigations Branch, Division of Safety Research, NIOSH located in Morgantown, West Virginia. 

An expert technical review was provided by Bill Peters of Peters Associates, FACS, Inc. A technical 

review was also provided by the NFPA Public Fire Protection Division.

Disclaimer 

Mention of any company or product does not constitute endorsement by the National Institute for 

Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). In addition, citations to websites external to NIOSH do not 

constitute NIOSH endorsement of the sponsoring organizations or their programs or products. 

Furthermore, NIOSH is not responsible for the content of these websites. All web addresses referenced 

in this document were accessible as of the publication date.