ATLANTA — A NIOSH report into the death of a South Dakota firefighter killed when a tow rope smashed through the window of his engine has laid out several safety recommendations.
Thomas "Emmett" Kuehl was among members of the Elkton Volunteer Fire Company returning from putting out a brush fire in April last year when their engine became stuck in soft soil. While trying to dislodge the apparatus, the strap from a tractor towing the vehicle came off and snapped back to the engine, smashing the windshield and striking Kuehl in the head. It then continued on its path through the back window. Kuehl, 38, who was driving the apparatus, died three days later at the Sioux Valley Hospital.
According to the report released Wednesday, several factors played a role in the death of Kuehl, who had been a firefighter for 11 years. One recommendation made by NIOSH is that departments should utilize heavy towing equipment when attempting to extract apparatus. The tow strap used in the incident was approved for the weight of the engine, but the shackles at either end were not. Provided by a local farmer, the shackles were approved for a 17,000 lb. vehicle while the apparatus was in excess of 30,000 lbs. The report also advises that firefighters or other onlookers should clear the area when such an operation is taking place.
Finally, the report recommends that fire departments should always take care to place apparatus in safe locations and be aware of the limitations of their vehicles.
The report states that, "Even on level terrain, an apparatus can become mired in soft ground, sand, or mud leaving it vulnerable to being overrun by a fire. In this case, the engine was not in danger of being overrun by fire because the fire had been contained, but the engine was driven into an area that was low and muddy and eventually became stuck in the mud. This situation resulted in the fire fighters trying to pull it out with the aid of a farmer’s tractor which ultimately led to a fire fighter's death."
