OSHA Inspection: LOUDOUN COUNTY, DEPT. OF FIRE, RESCUE & EMERG. MGM

Issued

Nov 24, 2008

Abate by

Dec 27, 2008

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

Title 40.1-51.1(a) Code of Virginia: At this inspection site, the employer did n
ot furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized
hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to e
mployees, in that employees were exposed to fire hazards while engaged in search
, rescue and interior structural firefighting activities at a single family resi
dence. a. On May 25, 2008, Loudoun County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergen
cy Management firefighters from first arriving Engine Company, Reserve Engine 60
6 and first arriving Truck Company, Tower 606, responded to a two-alarm resident
ial structure fire at 43238 Meadowood Court in Leesburg, VA, at approximately 1:
33 p.m.. Search and rescue operations were immediately instituted because a vehi
cle was parked in the garage and the potential for trapped occupants could not b
e ruled out. Two firefighters from the Engine Crew proceeded into the structure
with a hand line. Two firefighters from the Tower Crew followed approximately 10
seconds later to conduct a primary search, carrying a sledge-hammer,
a Halligan bar and an Officer's Hook. A second 200-foot hand line had been place
d at the front door as well, but was not used. Both crews proceeded to the secon
d floor to check bedrooms, but conditions rapidly deteriorated and several May D
ay calls were made. Three of the four firefighters were able to exit from B/C co
rner of the second story using a ladder that had been placed by later arriving f
ire crews. The fourth firefighter had become separated from the rest during an a
pparent flash over and was forced to jump out a second story window on the C/D c
orner of the structure - no ladder was in place at the window. The four firefigh
ters suffered serious injury and were hospitalized, one with extensive burns. Th
e investigation revealed that due to staffing limitations, there were only three
personnel respectively on Reserve Engine 606, and Tower 606. The investigation
further revealed that neither the Engine Crew nor the Tower Crew were able to co
nduct a full "360" of the house prior to search and rescue entry, and there were
not enough personnel at the time of entry to man the second hose/handline that
had been placed at the front door.
Feasible and acceptable methods, among others, to correct this hazard is for the
employer to develop, implement and train employees on the guidance contained in
NFPA 1720, Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Ope
rations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by V
olunteer Fire Departments, 2004 Edition and NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Departme
nt Occupational Safety and Health Programs, 2007 Edition or newer editions of th
ese documents. Specifically, not only should the Staffing and Response Time guid
ance for personnel on site (contained in Table 4.3.2 of NFPA 1720) be met, but a
lso the requirements of NFPA 1500, Section 8.5.12 which states that The assignme
nt of any personnel, including the incident commander, the safety officer, or op
erators of fire apparatus, shall not be permitted as standby personnel if by aba
ndoning their critical task(s) to assist or, if necessary, perform rescue, they
clearly jeopardize the safety and health of any firefighter working at the incid
ent.