PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. — A series of mistakes made by fire personnel contributed to the injuries of seven firefighters after a fireball blew through a condemned house last year.
The Washington Post reported that seven volunteer firefighters were hurt in the blaze — two critically — when they were engulfed by a blowtorch-like jet of flame that shot out of the house in what authorities described as a freak occurrence.
A 300-page report was issued by Prince George’s County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department Monday, identifying the factors that contributed to the severity and number of injuries in the February 2012 fire, according to the report.
The 15-month review said the factors included critical strategic, tactical and risk-assessment decisions, procedural problems and issues with protective equipment. It also identified deficiencies in training, accountability, and command and control at all levels, according to the report.
“Training is a big part of it,” Fire Chief Marc Bashoor said at a Monday afternoon press conference. “So is people following the rules and procedures.”
Recommendations for the fire department include new training programs and procedures, according to the report. The Washington Post reported that the other findings in the report include:
- The first company officers to arrive at the house did not complete an effective size-up by taking a 360-degree survey walk around the building or fully evaluate environmental conditions.
- No action plan to attack the fire was communicated.
- Firefighters were dangerously positioned above and in the outflow path of the fire.
- A firefighter mayday was not transmitted effectively.