NFPA Journal - Winter 2022 - 77

basement through a hole in the first
floor and were able to locate the victim
using the sound of his activated PASS
device. When they reached him, he was
unresponsive and not breathing, and
his SCBA was intact but out of air. He
was removed from the basement and
life-saving measures were initiated.
The lieutenant was transported to
the hospital where he was pronounced
dead at 1:41 a.m. According to the medical
examiner, the cause of death was
listed as asphyxia due to the inhalation
of the products of combustion.
OHIO
Wildland firefighter dies in rollover
In March, a 20-year-old wildland firefighter
died when the utility terrain
vehicle (UTV) on which she was a passenger
rolled over.
At approximately 4:45 p.m., a crew
consisting of a division holding boss, a
division firing boss, and one firefighter
(the victim) boarded their UTV to be
transported to a debriefing at the conclusion
of their duties at a prescribed burn.
When they arrived at the debriefing
area, they needed to maneuver around
a parked UTV by going over an earthen
berm approximately 18 inches (46
centimeters) high. As the UTV began
to navigate over the berm, the vehicle
suddenly accelerated and experienced a
loss of control. The vehicle veered to the
right, hitting the bank on the side of the
road; after another unexplained burst of
acceleration, it veered sharply left, crossing
the road and hitting a tree on the
left road bank. The UTV stopped briefly,
then began to roll back and to the right.
At that point, the firefighter tried
to exit the UTV, but she fell from the
vehicle as it rolled to the passenger side.
Attempts by the other passengers to pull
her out of the way were unsuccessful.
The firefighter was struck in the head
by the vehicle's rollbar as it rolled over
her, causing a serious head injury. It was
reported that the victim was wearing
her helmet, but it was dislodged during
the initial stages of the accident.
Emergency medical technicians
already on the scene began immediate
treatment. The firefighter was transported
by Medevac helicopter to the
hospital, but she succumbed to her
injuries two days later. The other two
occupants of the UTV were either thrown
clear of the vehicle or jumped clear,
avoiding serious injury. The UTV was
evaluated during the investigation and
was found to have no mechanical defects.
WASHINGTON
Fire lieutenant dies in fall from bridge
A 41-year-old fire lieutenant died in
August when he fell from a bridge
while investigating a possible wildfire.
A motorist traveling in the area of the
incident reported a suspected wildfire to
fire dispatch. An engine company staffed
with two firefighters and the lieutenant
was dispatched at 9:45 p.m.
Upon arrival and initial
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NFPA Journal - Winter 2022

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