By FireRescue1 Staff
BATESVILLE, Ark. — An Arkansas volunteer fire lieutenant died of cardiac arrest while responding to a structure fire in January, according to investigators.
Northside Volunteer Fire Department Lt. Henry Sandy, 52, was at the scene setting up hoses and a fan when he collapsed, a NIOSH report said on Tuesday.
After CPR and advanced life support were performed on the scene and en route to the hospital, Lt. Sandy died of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Investigators concluded the lieutenant should have been restricted from performing physically demanding tasks given his pre-existing heart and health conditions.
To prevent similar incidents from occurring, NIOSH also recommends fire departments:
- Provide preplacement and annual medical evaluations to all firefighters
- Ensure firefighters are cleared for emergency response activities by a physician knowledgeable about the physical demands of firefighting, the personal protective equipment used by firefighters, and the various components of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582
- Phase in a comprehensive wellness and fitness program for firefighters
- Perform a preplacement and an annual physical performance (physical ability) evaluation
- Provide firefighters with medical clearance to wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) as part of the Fire Department’s medical evaluation program
- Conduct annual respirator fit testing