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)








Career Firefighter Candidate Dies from Heat Stroke while Performing Firefighter Essential Function Course – Alabama										Related Pages
										FF Shield
Death in the Line of Duty...A summary of a NIOSH fire fighter fatality investigation
F2020-03 Date Released: April 4, 2020

Executive Summary
On June 17, 2019, at 0800, a career firefighter candidate (Candidate) reported for duty to begin the second week of recruit training school. The first task of the day was to complete the consumption course which consisted of 10 firefighting tasks completed in full gear and breathing from self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Each task is done twice and two SCBA bottles are used. If the second SCBA bottle is exhausted before completing the course, then a recruit is to remove the mask mounted regulator (MMR) and complete the course. The consumption course started at approximately 0840. The Candidate reached the 10th task, the dummy drag, just before 0900. During that task, the Candidate exhausted the SCBA bottle, removed the MMR, and stated they were unable to continue. Fellow recruits assisted with taking off his gear down to the bunker pants and assisted the Candidate to seating in the rehab area. Within minutes the Candidate went into cardiac arrest, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was started, and the candidate was transported to the local emergency department (ED). Despite resusitative efforts, the Candidate did not survive the incident and was pronounced dead at 1002.
The autopsy report lists the cause of death as “probable heat stroke.” The Candidate’s core temperature on arrival to the ED was 103.8°F. The ambient temperature on June 17, 2019 between 0830 and 0900 was 81°F with a relative humidity of 65% resulting in a heat index of 84°F [weather underground]. ED notes indicate the candidate experienced a heat related illness during training the previous week but recovered with rest and intravenous (IV) fluids. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) investigators concluded that the Candidate’s physical exertion associated with the consumption course produced heat stress that could not be managed by the body’s normal regulatory mechanisms.

Key Recommendations
To prevent injury and death resulting from heat stress associated with emergency operations and training, NIOSH investigators offer the following recommendations.
Provide preplacement and annual medical evaluations consistent with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582.
Medical evaluations should be performed by a provider familiar with the physical and psychological demands of firefighting.
Fire Department/Training Center policy and procedure should address heat exposure topics related to unacclimatized firefighters, and medical monitoring during training and emergency operations.
Review policy on return-to-work medical evaluations as the candidate had a heat-related illness the previous week during training that required medical attention.Read the full report
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  October 19, 2022						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