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Report of the Week
Spun him like a top.
01/20/2011
Report Number: 11-0000002
Report Date: 01/05/2011 16:37
Synopsis Firefighter pinned while backing apparatus.
Demographics
Department type: Paid Municipal
Job or rank: ALS Provider
Department shift: 48 hours on - 96 hours off
Event Information Event type: Vehicle event: responding to, returning from, routine driving, etc. Event date and time:
01/05/2011 09:00 Hours into the shift: Event participation: Involved in the event Weather at time of event: Clear and Dry
Event Description:
While returning to our station after a run, we have to hug to the right side of our driveway and then make a sharp 90
degree turn to the left to pull into our apparatus bay. This morning we had an oncoming member’s personal vehicle
parked along the right side of our driveway. While moving slowly and hugging that right side, the member came out of the
bay and stood in front of his vehicle where he motioned to the engineer if he needed to move his car. The Engineer
motioned back to the member that he did not need to. The member appeared to remain in front of his vehicle. We drove
past him and proceeded to make the sharp left turn so that we could pull into the bay. Unknown to us in the engine, the
oncoming member had stepped in between the moving engine and his personal vehicle. As our tail end swung around, it
pinned him in between the engine and his car. Luckily, (if you can call it luck) it rolled him between the two vehicles and
pushed him out towards the front of his car. We heard screams and looked out our windows to see him staggering
towards us asking for help. We stopped the engine immediately and went to his aid. We called for an ambulance and
began to assess our friend. He was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
Lessons Learned
In hind sight, we should have done a few things differently, keeping in mind how fortunate our firefighter was to be as
minimally injured as he was. He could have been crushed to death, fallen under the rear duals, or sustained life changing
extremity injuries. First, while he was in sight and the engine was stopped, we should have had one of us physically get
out and tell him his vehicle did not need to be moved. Second, no vehicles should be parked on that approach anymore.
The engine should not be moved until anyone that has been seen on the approach is accounted for.
Report of the Week
Spun him like a top.
01/20/2011
Report Number: 11-0000002
Report Date: 01/05/2011 16:37
Synopsis Firefighter pinned while backing apparatus.
Demographics
Department type: Paid Municipal
Job or rank: ALS Provider
Department shift: 48 hours on - 96 hours off
Event Information Event type: Vehicle event: responding to, returning from, routine driving, etc. Event date and time:
01/05/2011 09:00 Hours into the shift: Event participation: Involved in the event Weather at time of event: Clear and Dry
Event Description:
While returning to our station after a run, we have to hug to the right side of our driveway and then make a sharp 90
degree turn to the left to pull into our apparatus bay. This morning we had an oncoming member’s personal vehicle
parked along the right side of our driveway. While moving slowly and hugging that right side, the member came out of the
bay and stood in front of his vehicle where he motioned to the engineer if he needed to move his car. The Engineer
motioned back to the member that he did not need to. The member appeared to remain in front of his vehicle. We drove
past him and proceeded to make the sharp left turn so that we could pull into the bay. Unknown to us in the engine, the
oncoming member had stepped in between the moving engine and his personal vehicle. As our tail end swung around, it
pinned him in between the engine and his car. Luckily, (if you can call it luck) it rolled him between the two vehicles and
pushed him out towards the front of his car. We heard screams and looked out our windows to see him staggering
towards us asking for help. We stopped the engine immediately and went to his aid. We called for an ambulance and
began to assess our friend. He was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
Lessons Learned
In hind sight, we should have done a few things differently, keeping in mind how fortunate our firefighter was to be as
minimally injured as he was. He could have been crushed to death, fallen under the rear duals, or sustained life changing
extremity injuries. First, while he was in sight and the engine was stopped, we should have had one of us physically get
out and tell him his vehicle did not need to be moved. Second, no vehicles should be parked on that approach anymore.
The engine should not be moved until anyone that has been seen on the approach is accounted for.