By FireRescue1 Staff
WICHITA, Kan. — Smoke inhalation and heavy physical exertion during fire suppression activities likely led to the death of a Kansas firefighter, investigators found.
While in rehab at a December 13, 2009 fire, Wichita Fire Department Fire Capt. Urban A. Eck, experienced persistent shortness of breath and palpitations, according to a NIOSH fatality report released Thursday.
Though his symptoms temporarily improved after the fire, Capt. Eck sought medical help five days later when the problems later returned.
Capt. Eck was hospitalized and on December 29 suffered cardiac arrest while undergoing surgery to repair his heart, which led to his death four days later.
The death certificate produced by the pathologist cited “smoke/chemical inhalation” as a main factor in the death, and NIOSH investigators also point to “heavy physical exertion expended during fire suppression activities.”
As a result, NIOSH offers the following recommendations for fire departments to address general safety and health issues:
- Provide annual medical evaluations to all firefighters consistent with NFPA 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments
- Discontinue routine pre-employment/preplacement exercise stress tests for applicants
- Ensure firefighters are cleared for return to duty by a physician knowledgeable about the physical demands of firefighting, the personal protective equipment used by firefighters, and the various components of NFPA 1582
- Phase in a comprehensive wellness and fitness program for firefighters
- Perform an annual physical performance (physical ability) evaluation
- Provide firefighters with medical clearance to wear self-contained breathing apparatus as part of the fire department’s annual medical evaluation program