Report Number: 06-0000228
Report Date: 04/04/2006
Event Description
After just starting our shift at 0700, we were dispatched at approximately 0750 to a reported apartment fire. We responded with 2 engines, 1 ladder, 1 rescue and a BC, 13 personnel. Upon arrival, I was driving a rescue pumper that was not being used to pump water. Normal protocol is for the driver to don bunker gear and air pack and meet up with the two other firefighters from the rig. After meeting up with my crew on the third story in the stairwell, we forced entry and searched five apartments. The hallway had smoke banked down close to the floor. We evacuated four residents down the stairwell. After finishing a primary search on the third story, we proceeded to meet up on the second floor with another crew of two to perform a primary search on the second floor. After a brief talk with the other crew on the second floor, it was determined I would be reassigned to work with the other crew that was on the second floor for fire attack. Both officers were notified and approved. We forced an apartment door and found heavy black smoke with heat. We advanced a 1 3/4" hose line into the apartment. We encountered heavy smoke and heat, but could not see any fire. It was decided that we would force a nearby window. I had a haligan tool at the door with my officer who was helping pull the hoseline into the apartment. I grabbed the haligan tool and went back to force the window. When I forced the window, I must have bumped my facepiece mounted regulator with my arm. The regulator became detached. We use (SCBA brand deleted) air packs. At this time, I heard the air spraying after taking a deep breath of air in the hot, smoky environment. Immediately, I knew I had to get out. I tried to hold my breath, but after working hard inside the apartment, I could not hold my breath. I took another breath inside the apartment and knew I was in trouble. My officer was screaming "get out, get out". I heard the air spraying. I tried to grab my regulator and re-attach it, but I could not grab it in the dark with it spraying air. I ran down the hallway, down the stairs, and outside where I was met by two firefighters who had an oxygen mask waiting for me. My officer did call for a mayday on the radio, but no one heard him. I was transported to a nearby hospital by ambulance. It was determined by emergency room physicians that I suffered smoke inhalation. I remained in the hospital for observation. I was released later in the day to go home. It was determined by our SCBA mechanic that the regulator was possibly slammed in a door. The regulator was slightly out of round and possibly the contributor of both clips not completely clicking into the facepiece.
Lesson Learned
I do a "complete" inspection every morning. I inspected the SCBA that morning, but did not check the roundness of my regulator. Every time I don and SCBA, I make sure I have both clips on the regulator secured.
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