WASHINGTON — Inadequate driver training and SOPs for seat belt usage were key contributing factors in the death of a Virginia volunteer firefighter, NIOSH investigators found.
Firefighter David Raymond Chew, Jr., of the Bloxom Volunteer Fire Company, died July 16 last year after being ejected from the fire truck. The 30-year-old was riding in the front seat, and was responding with one other firefighter (the driver) to a motor vehicle crash, according to the report.
The driver lost control of the vehicle in a curve, left the paved road and crashed into trees on the right side of the roadway. Firefighter Chew was ejected from the engine and landed in a wooded area.
The driver exited through the windshield, found the victim and began medical treatment. Other emergency personnel responded, but Firefighter Chew was pronounced dead at the scene.
Other emergency personnel and police in the area reported the roadways to be dry at the time of the crash.
Because inadequate driver training was a key factor, NIOSH recommends fire departments ensure that drivers/operators are trained in techniques for maintaining control of their vehicles at all times.
Departments should also provide and ensure all drivers successfully complete a comprehensive driver’s training program before allowing a member to drive and operate a department vehicle.
NIOSH also stresses fire departments should ensure that written SOPs regarding seat belt use are established and enforced as well as an implementation of fire apparatus inspection and check off-off sheets.
This will provide a systematic approach for the communicating, receiving, filing and storage of these as well as maintenance records, according to the report.
