By FireRescue1 Staff
Physical exertion from training drills performed in full protective equipment led to cardiac arrest and the death of a Wisconsin firefighter, NIOSH investigators have found.
Lt. Rick H. Borkin, of the Thiensville Volunteer Fire Department, collapsed and died after completing live fire training drills on December 8, 2008.
A NIOSH firefighter fatality report released Tuesday made several recommendations to fire departments to prevent similar incidents, including ensuring firefighters have access to and get medical clearance for firefighting.
The report also found there was no AED at the fire training center, and recommends having AEDs, EMS, advanced life support and transport capabilities ready during all planned training activities.