By Ken Robinson
FireRescue1 Associate Editor
HOUSTON — The Houston Fire Department likely could have prevented the death of a firefighter trainee who suffered exertional heatstroke during physical fitness training, investigators found.
Firefighter Trainee Cohnway M. Johnson, 26, collapsed on April 29 last year at the end of a 4.4-mile jog and was treated for heat-related illness with ice packs to the skin and intravenous fluids.
He was transported to a local hospital where he died five days later.
Having ice water immersion rapidly available at the fire training academy and ensuring trainees are hydrated at all phases of physically demanding tasks probably could have prevented the death, and should be used by departments to prevent similar deaths, a NIOSH report released Wednesday said.
“Given the trainee’s weight, running speed and air temperature, it is estimated he lost almost a liter of sweat without an opportunity to replenish the loss during the run,” the report said in reference to the hour and 10-minute jog in formation.
Jeff Caynon, president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, told The Houston Chronicle this week that the union had previously specifically recommended HFD trainers provide water during runs and have an ice bath available because of previous heat-related injuries to cadets.
However, Assistant Chief Kevin Alexander, who oversees HFD’s training academy, told the newspaper he did not know of any recommendations made by the union and added that the department’s medical procedures do not call for ice immersion.
“Hydration is available to our cadets during their workouts, Chief Alexander said, adding that “safety is the utmost for all our cadets.’”
In the NIOSH report, investigators said the death and others like it also could have been prevented with recruit physical fitness tests designed to be consistent with the IAFF/IAFC Candidate Physical Ability Test, which consists of a series of gradual progressions in physical endurance, ending in a 3-mile run, investigators said.
In addition, the report offers the following recommendations that would not have prevented Trainee Johnson’s death, but still address general health and safety considerations:
• Ensure the personnel responsible for the physical training program are knowledgeable about the fire department heat stress program
• Ensure the fire department Trainee Code of Conduct and Standards does not penalize students for seeking medical attention
• Use a checklist to screen firefighters for individual heatstroke risk factors.
• Provide annual medical evaluations consistent with NFPA 1582 to all firefighters
• Perform annual physical performance (physical ability) evaluations for all firefighters
• Phase in a comprehensive wellness and fitness program and
• Provide firefighters with medical clearance to wear SCBA as part of the fire department medical evaluation program.