San Francisco FF injured in freak hoseline incident leaves hospital
Video shows Matt Vann being greeted by fellow firefighters outside the hospital as he leaves SF General for a rehabilitation facility
Update: Nov. 18, 11:20 p.m.: Firefighter Matthew Vann was transported to a rehabilitation center, according to the San Francisco Fire Department.
The department tweeted a video of Vann being greeted by a large group of firefighters who cheered as he was transferred to a waiting ambulance.
We are happy to announce that Firefighter Matthew Vann was transported to a rehabilitation center today.
— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) November 18, 2020
He is in good spirits. Many thanks to the SFZGH staff, who worked day and night tirelessly to care for him. We could not be more grateful. @MyrPressOffice @SFFFLocal798 pic.twitter.com/vzgdg2zR5R
Update: Nov. 12, 6:55 a.m.: Vann, who sustained a traumatic brain injury in the incident, has undergone two surgeries and remains in the ICU at San Francisco General, the firefighters union tweeted on Wednesday.
San Francisco Firefighters 798 union has launched a fundraiser through the SF Fire Credit Union.
We are collecting donation for Firefighter Matt Vann who sustained a traumatic brain injury at a fire recently. He is still intubated at the hospital. If you would like to make a donation please do so at the @SFFireCU. See details below @team10th #iaff #sffd pic.twitter.com/aOv0FMy3Ne
— San Francisco Firefighters 798 (@SFFFLocal798) November 11, 2020
Update: Nov. 8, 7:50 p.m.: SFFD shared that although Vann remains in critical condition, he was able to follow a stimulus with his eyes on Sunday.
Update: Nov. 4, 12:10 p.m.: An investigation is underway to review why a San Francisco Muni bus apparently drove onto a hoseline.
The man driving the bus was removed from driving status and will be drug-tested, which is standard procedure, KTVU reports.
Vann remains in critical condition.
Probe by @SFPD #SFFire #CalOSHA @CA_DIR into why an @sfmta_muni bus drove into a fire scene & possibly ran over fire hose, knocking firefighter Matthew Vann into the air & causing him to land on his head, a month after hose-related fatality. @NFFF_News opines, 4:40 p.m. @KTVU pic.twitter.com/wlKU8ENFct
— Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) November 3, 2020
Update: Nov. 3, 7:32 a.m.: The SFFD tweeted, "Although our beloved brother Firefighter Matthew Vann temporarily regained altered consciousness, he remains in critical condition. Firefighter Vann has been employed since 2014, and is currently assigned to Engine 01. Please keep him and his family in your prayers."
Original report
Michael Williams
San Francisco Chronicle
SAN FRANCISCO — A San Francisco firefighter was knocked unconscious and critically injured Monday while fighting a high-rise blaze and officials are looking into whether a MUNI bus that passed through the scene might have caused the accident, the fire department said.
The incident happened about 3:30 p.m., while firefighters were responding to a fire on the 19th floor of a building at 55 Spear Street, near the Embarcadero, SFFD Lt. Jonathan Baxter said.
Watch on #Periscope: SFFD FIREFIGHTER CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER HIGHRISE FIRE RESONSEhttps://t.co/VtQjMciKHo
— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) November 3, 2020
The firefighter, Matt Vann, was on the street near a hose line when he was "inadvertently struck" by the line. Vann was knocked over and hit his head. He was briefly unconscious and not breathing, Baxter said.
Firefighters took Vann to San Francisco General Hospital.
Baxter said a Muni bus was traveling through the firefighting scene at the time of the accident, but declined to say whether the bus struck the hose. Officials are investigating the circumstances of the accident, he said.
At the time of the accident, Baxter said, San Francisco fire trucks were in the street with their lights flashing, indicating the road was meant to be closed.
Kristen Holland, an SFMTA spokesperson, said the transportation agency is cooperating with the San Francisco Police Department's investigation. "We are also receiving regular updates from our partners at SFFD and share their concern and hope for the firefighter's full recovery," Holland said. No passengers were on the bus at the time of the accident.
Vann, whom Baxter described as a "beloved member of our department," remained hospitalized in critical condition Monday evening, Baxter said. He's a six-year veteran of the department, stationed out of Fire Station 1 in the city's SOMA neighborhood.
Michael Williams is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: michael.williams@sfchronicle.com
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(c)2020 the San Francisco Chronicle
SFFD Local 798 tweeted about the dangers of driving through an incident scene.
It is so important to not drive through an active fire scene or over firehose. Someone’s life depends on it. Please keep our Brother in your prayers @sfmta_muni #iaff @jeffreytumlin pic.twitter.com/PXrX255t8Z
— San Francisco Firefighters 798 (@SFFFLocal798) November 3, 2020