Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link


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)


Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate





Firefighter Trainee Dies From Hyperthermia After Live-Fire Training—Oklahoma										Related Pages
					FF ShieldDeath in the Line of Duty...A summary of a NIOSH fire fighter fatality investigation
F2008-24 Date Released: January 5, 2021

Executive Summary
On May 31, 2008, a 28-year-old male volunteer firefighter trainee (“Trainee A”) participated in live-fire training at the State’s Fire Service Training Professional Skills Center (PSC). The weather was hot and humid with a heat index of 97° Fahrenheit (F). While wearing full bunker gear with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), Trainee A completed the following rotations over 10 hours with periods of rest and rehabilitation of varying duration between rotations: interior burn building fire suppression, hidden wall fire, fire extinguisher, pallet/dumpster fire, and car fire. The Trainee was reportedly “hot and sweaty.” Upon completion of the training, the Trainee entered the apparatus building to change clothes. A short time later, an instructor found the Trainee unresponsive in the restroom. 9-1-1 was called as instructors began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). An ambulance provided advanced life support as the Trainee was transported to the hospital’s Emergency Department (ED). Resuscitation efforts continued in the ED, but these efforts were unsuccessful and the Trainee was pronounced dead. The Trainee’s core body temperature was not measured during rehab or in the ED, but, based on the clinical scenario, the death certificate and autopsy completed by the Medical Examiner listed “hyperthermia” as the cause of death, with “hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease” and “obesity” as other significant medical conditions. The findings of the NIOSH investigation support this conclusion.
NIOSH investigators offer the following recommendations to the State facility and the Trainee’s fire department to prevent similar incidents and to address general safety and health issues.
Key Recommendations
Conduct live-fire training exercises consistent with National Fire Protection Association(NFPA) 1403, Standard on Live-fire Training Evolutions
Formulate and institute a heat stress program, incorporating elements before, during, and after all training courses
Institute a rehabilitation (rehab) program consistent with NFPA 1584, Standard on the Rehabilitation Process for Members During Emergency Operations and Training Exercises
Provide medical evaluations to fire fighters and a medical oversight program consistent with NFPA 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments
Phase in a comprehensive wellness and fitness program for fire fighters consistent with the IAFF/IAFC Wellness Fitness Initiative and NFPA 1583, Standard on Health-Related Fitness Programs for Fire Department Members
Perform an annual physical performance (physical ability) evaluation as listed in NFPA 1500,Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program
Provide fire fighters with medical clearance examinations to evaluate their ability to wear a SCBA
Ensure standard treatment guidelines are followed for firefighters who may have a heat-related illness

Read the full report pdf icon[PDF – 3 MB]
							
					
						Page last reviewed:  February 10, 2021					Content source: 	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 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