Tuesday, January 22, 2008
UPDATE: Failure to use seat belts and continuing door problems are confirmed as factors in MD FF's fall from engine
The Bladensburg Volunteer Fire Department (PGFD Station 809) admits its firefighter was not wearing a seat belt when he fell from a fire engine on Monday. At the same time, on its website, Bladensburg brings up mechanical concerns about the door on the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department's reserve engine. Today, a PGFD spokesman confirms there are known problems with the design of the door.
The volunteer firefighter, Ryan Raneiri, was treated and released at Prince George's Hospital Center after falling off Engine 809. Raneiri was part of a 5-person crew enroute to a reported first-due apartment fire on Monday afternoon. PGFD spokesman Mark Brady says the fire engine was negotiating the turn from Edmonston Road onto Route 450 when the firefighter fell off the piece. The location is just down the street from Station 809. Brady says no other vehicles were involved. The incident happened at 1:30 PM.
On the Bladensburg VFD website the department writes, "(the incident) does bear witness and proof as to why seat belts must be worn". Bladensburg also notes "this is not the first time firefighters have fallen from this type, make and model fire truck in Prince George’s County".
The engine involved is a 1989 Seagrave normally operated by Station 822. Spokesman Mark Brady says the vehicle was inspected this morning and problems were noted that would allow the door to open when it shouldn't. In an email to STATter 911, Brady writes:
On this particular unit and the majority of our similar units the interior door latches are designed to open the door when the lever is pulled upward. There is a stop on the lever to prevent the lever from going down. However, if lever is overpowered in the down position it will break the stop and permit the door to open from the inside by pulling the lever up or pushing it down. The unit was inspected this morning and found that both rear cab doors would open by pushing the lever down. This situation will be corrected prior to it going back in service.
Brady also confirms this is not the first time this problem has been discovered:
Following a similar incident with Fire/EMS Station 807, the Safety Office conducted a survey to determine if there were any other vehicles with a similar issue. Those units were identified and corrected at that time. Apparently, it does not take a lot of effort to over ride the lever stop in the down position and any unit that is found to have this condition is repaired as soon as possible by Apparatus Maintenance. The Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department will never "ignore" a safety issue that is brought to our attention, rather, any and all safety issues will be addressed as soon as being identified.
Brady reports the inspection found no problems with the seat belts.
Entire response from PGFD Chief Spokesman Mark Brady:
Dave: As soon as the incident occurred on Monday a "Safety Review" was put into motion. These Safety Reviews are standard procedure after injuries and significant crashes. The engine that Fire/EMS Station #809 was using was a 1989 Seagrave, normally assigned to Fire/EMS Station #822.
On this particular unit and the majority of our similar units the interior door latches are designed to open the door when the lever is pulled upward. There is a stop on the lever to prevent the lever from going down. However, if lever is overpowered in the down position it will break the stop and permit the door to open from the inside by pulling the lever up or pushing it down. The unit was inspected this morning and found that both rear cab doors would open by pushing the lever down. This situation will be corrected prior to it going back in service.
We could not find any issue with the seat belts. They are operating normal.
Following a similar incident with Fire/EMS Station 807, the Safety Office conducted a survey to determine if there were any other vehicles with a similar issue. Those units were identified and corrected at that time. Apparently, it does not take a lot of effort to over ride the lever stop in the down position and any unit that is found to have this condition is repaired as soon as possible by Apparatus Maintenance. The Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department will never "ignore" a safety issue that is brought to our attention, rather, any and all safety issues will be addressed as soon as being identified.
As far as any other circumstances regarding the incident on Sunday, they remain under review by the Safety Office.
Additionally, I would like to provide you a recent Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department Newsletter in PDF format. Please take the time to open the document and read the articles on the Fire Service Seat Belt Pledge. Thank you for posting this important information for all in the Fire/EMS Service to read and to pledge and sign-up.
Here is Bladensburg VFD's full account of the incident:
At approximately 1330 hours today Engine 809 (Prince George’s County Reserve Engine 222), having just cleared a non-emergency public service call was dispatched, along with the box assignment for a first due reported apartment building on fire at 5461 Madison Way. Supplemental message via radio was that there were smoke conditions in the hallway preventing escape with a female occupant who could not breathe and was going to jump from the 2nd floor.
Engine 809, responding from the previous call made a left turn onto Annapolis Road off of Edmonston Road. In the process of this turn the crew door on the officer side of the apparatus came open and Fire Fighter R. Raneiri fell from the apparatus landing on the street. The remaining crew instantly notified the Officer and Driver who brought the apparatus to an immediate stop and all went to render aid. F. F. Raneiri crawled to the curb and sidewalk to keep from getting hit by the remaining impatient drivers. He was boarded and collared for transport to PG Hospital Trauma Center where he was treated and released, with no serious injuries, within two hours. Ryan is home resting well at this time, a little sore and bruised but in good spirits.
We are very fortunate this time but it does bear witness and proof as to why seat belts must be worn. This is not the first time firefighters have fallen from this type make and model fire truck in Prince George’s County. Although repair orders were issued in years previous malfunctions can still occur, thereby reminding all to exercise caution and safety regulations at all times.
Bladensburg would like to extend our heart felt “Thank You” to all personnel (22, 28, 33, 14 and numerous others) who responded, filled in or called to check our well being and that of brother Raneiri. Your thoughts and words are greatly appreciated.
Click here for today's fire/EMS news from STATter 911
: January 22, 2008 11:09 AM Brush it off as just an accident. The firefighter and the officer and driver should be suspended!.
: January 22, 2008 12:23 PM : January 22, 2008 12:37 PM : January 22, 2008 1:59 PM If he was wearing a seatbelt he would not have fallen.
If the door would have remained shout, he would not have fallen.
The doors on those reserve apparatus are faulty, PGFD knows it.
: January 22, 2008 2:38 PM Raneiri was lucky, plain and simple.
My best to Raneiri and the crew, but let's learn the lesson and buckle the 'F' up.
This department (Station 809) has a seat belt policy and I know the Chief, for years, has stated seatbelts are always required. But, Chiefs just changed maybe policies did also, I don't know but if the policy exists and it was violated by the fire fighter why should the Officer and Driver be suspended if they believe their personnel are following policies.
What would you like to do, have the Officer and Driver buckle every damn fire fighter into their seats now before going on a call?
Lets get real, the PGFD has known about these problems for years, why is something like this always pushed back on the volunteers while any career issue is swept under the carpet, rarely to be reported in the media!
: January 22, 2008 3:50 PM Some of the previous comments are skirting around the real issue. Not abiding by safety policies. HE SHOULD OF BEEN WEARING A SEATBELT!!!!PERIOD END OF STORY.
Just because they were running a P.O.S. reserve apparatus is no excuse for not wearing your seatbelt. Sure the door handle opened up and down, but had he been wearing his beltand seated he never would of fell out, and WHEN have you ever heard of a seatbelt failing??????
Should he face disciplinary actions?? YES I believe that BVFD should step up to the plate and set a standard that all should follow. PGFD has said that they have never punished individuals for such actions "because they felt that the individual had learned a hard lesson" Well obviously this IS NOT WORKING !!!!
Drivers and Officers should make the attempt to ensure that everyone is belted on the apparatus before moving. I work in a large metropolitan dept. in the DC area and we have that rule. and it has not slowed down our responses to alarms? You people who condone not wearind your seatbelt should think about how you would feel trying to explain to a wife/daughter/son/mother or any other family member that you a LODD because someone forgot to wear their seatbelt. I Know I never want to experience that feeling.
: January 22, 2008 5:01 PM I'm glad the guy wasn't hurt badly and I'm glad he's back home.
However, once he fully recovers, the station chief needs to suspend him for non-seatbelt use. This should not be left up to the county to do. We as volunteers need to clean our own houses. Although this firefighter may have learned his lesson the hard way, discipline needs to be taken to set an example of how seriously the volunteer leadership takes the use of seatbelts in that station.
We cannot worry what the career staff gets away with, its about running a top notch fire service organization committed to giving the best service to the community and the safety of our personnel.
Now, with all that being said, seatbelt use is spotty at best in any department in this area, paid and volunteer alike (MD, VA, DC). To say othewise is not being honest.
As the saying goes, if you can't do the time, don't do the crime.
: January 22, 2008 6:50 PM : January 22, 2008 8:00 PM : January 22, 2008 8:30 PM I was in the officer seat it was 4:30 in the morning......and yes I failed to buckle my Seat Belt!! No excuses!! we turned on to the street and out I went!! I had my gear on......the driver stopped immediatley!! I got back in and we continued to the call.....I didn't report it, but someone did......The driver and I were suspended.....I had to give safety talks.....I was very sore and could hardly walk for a couple of weeks!The unit had the seal belts and door latches replaced!
: January 22, 2008 9:39 PM : January 23, 2008 1:58 AM There are simple solutions to overcome problems.
And yes, the firefighter should be disciplined for "breaking the rules." Evidently, others within their organization "knew" that these door handles had a history of inadvertent operation. Whatever happened to personal accountability?
: January 23, 2008 9:57 AM : January 23, 2008 10:11 AM : January 23, 2008 10:17 AM : January 23, 2008 10:57 AM : January 23, 2008 11:30 AM : January 23, 2008 3:43 PM There are policies in place therefore follow them.
The firefighter failed to follow the policy. I know Bladensburg and there is a policy in place as there is in PG County. I also know the driver and I know that he wears a seatbelt and has always encouraged everyone else too. I also know that it is not mandatory at this station because it is just another rule.
That is why they have another Chief, they don't want to follow rules and the last one was like a military colonel, there was no room for mistakes. Hell, this Chief is the one that ran undispatched, ran a red light responding after being put in service, broad sided a car and killed a lady all while arguing on the radio about going to the call. He should not be allowed to be a Chief Officer, if this is the way he does things do you really think they are going to enforce a silly seat belt policy?
Yes discipline the firefighter and hold the Chief accountable, he is the leader but why, as one poster said, should you discipline the driver and officer? Unless they personally check for themselves they can only assume the firefighters are following the policies, right!
Lets set the example, Everyone Buckle up !!
: January 23, 2008 5:21 PM : January 23, 2008 7:33 PM : January 23, 2008 9:07 PM : January 23, 2008 11:55 PM : January 24, 2008 7:50 AM : January 24, 2008 10:16 AM The people arguing against seatbelts have a noble, but misguided arguement. Sure it's our job to rescue the citizen in distress...but our first priority is OUR OWN SAFETY. We've done the citizen in distress no good if we don't arrive on the scene, like this situation. What good rid E809 do for the citizens on this call? How many seconds did this firefighter save by not putting on his seatbelt?
: January 24, 2008 2:01 PM : January 24, 2008 6:36 PM : January 24, 2008 7:53 PM Links to this post:
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