Charleston Super Sofa

June 18, 2007

Video

• http://www.firehouse.com/videonetwork/index.php?showid=115702

S.C. OSHA Findings & penalties

• 1. Employer know or should have known that the command system does not provide for the overall safety of emergency personnel and their activities.

• Penalty – 7000 dollars

S.C. OSHA Findings & penalties

• 2. S.O.P.’s were not developed to cover the special hazards associated with fighting and attacking a fire involving a metal truss roof.

• Penalty – 900 dollars

S.C. OSHA Findings & penalties• 3. Body protection was not

required to be worn by nine fireman involved in interior structural firefighting at 1807 Savannah Highway on or about June 18, 2007.

• Penalty – 900 dollars

S.C. OSHA Findings & penalties• 4. Self contained breathing apparatus

was not required to be worn at all by four firemen exposed to smoke and toxic substances while fighting a fire at 1807 Savannah Highway, on or about June 18, 2007

• Penalty – 525 dollars

PIA and Review Team Phase 1 Report• Phase 1 – Organizational analysis• Phase 2 – Detailed analysis of

Super Sofa Fire• Phase 3 – Develop strategic 5 to 10

year plan taking into account all recommendations from first 2 phases

PIA and Review Team Phase 1 Report

• Priority Levels

• A – Should be implemented without delays

• B – within 6 months to 2 years• C- should be in strategic plan

PIA and Review Team Phase 1 Report

• “The development of a safety based culture is a multi-faceted and long term commitment. The safety culture must be founded on a combination of values, beliefs and behaviors that eventually become organizational expectations.”

PIA and Review Team Phase 1 Report• Minimum of 3 personnel on Engines and

Ladders until staffing of 4 each can be reached

• Immediate training on incident command, operational safety procedures (accountability, and RIT, air mgmt and crew resource management)

PIA and Review Team Phase 1 Report• Adding LDH hose and fittings to all first

out and reserves• Upgrade attack lines to 13/4”• Uniforms to meet NFPA 1975• New turnout gear to meet NFPA

standards• One standard SCBA meeting standards

with policy of keeping bottles full

PIA and Review Team Phase 1 Report• TIC for all apparatus along with

replacing all outdated hand lights• Additional Fire Inspections staff• Begin NIMS-clear text communications

and discontinue 10 codes• Assigning TAC channels• 2 radio operators on duty at all times

PIA and Review Team Phase 1 Report• Standardize multiple alarm assignments

and procedures for placing reserve apparatus in-service

• Ensure multi agency operations can be effectively coordinated

• MDT’s, advanced mapping, electronic pre-plans, AVL systems

PIA and Review Team Phase 1 Report• Develop programs to evaluate company

level effectiveness annually based on NFPA 1410 (Training for initial scene operations)

• Establish health and safety committee• Emergency scene operations should be

critiqued and evaluated in relation to safety as well as effectiveness

PIA and Review Team Phase 1 Report• Provide training to all members on

the Operational Risk Policy• Provide RIT packs• High pressure SCBA’s• PPV fans for all Ladder Trucks• Communication improvements

(voice amps)• Individually issued facepieces

PIA and Review Team Phase 1 Report

• Regular PPE inspections documented by the company officer

• Revise procedures for pre-fire planning to ensure that plans for target hazards are complete, up to date and readily available for the IC if needed.

Comparison

• There are many things in our favor, but there is always room for improvement.

• Everyone goes home