HOUSTON — On Nov. 6, 2024, a Houston firefighter was killed and another injured while performing rapid intervention team (RIT) tasks at a vacant warehouse fire. The two were assigned to RIT shortly after arrival. Conditions quickly deteriorated when a portion of the building collapsed while they were attempting to “soften” exterior doors and bars on the Delta side of the fire building. A mayday was declared after the wall collapse and the deceased was later pronounced dead at the hospital; the injured firefighter was treated for non‑fatal injuries.
| Mayday: Houston firefighter killed in collapse at commercial structure fire
The incident highlights the hazards of operating RIT personnel in collapse zones, especially at structures with compromised integrity and without comprehensive pre‑incident planning. Fire service leaders can use this incident to revisit RIT deployment protocols, hazard recognition training and strategy decision‑making practices.
Key contributing factors
NIOSH investigators identified several key contributing factors that directly influenced the outcome. Pre‑incident planning for vacant or dangerous buildings was inadequate; the fire department did not have detailed pre‑incident plans for this structure that could have informed tactical decisions.
Standard operating procedures and guidelines (SOPs/SOGs) did not clearly align with the recognized hazards of performing RIT tasks on buildings with potential for structural collapse, leading to personnel being placed in a high‑risk position without clear boundaries.
Strategic and tactical decision‑making at the scene did not fully account for risk versus benefit. Although incident command declared defensive operations, RIT personnel were still committed to exterior tasks in a zone later affected by collapse.
Limited safety officer presence contributed to missed opportunities for hazard identification and reinforcement of risk management principles during rapidly evolving conditions at the warehouse fire.
The lack of routine inspections and communication regarding change of occupancy for vacant buildings meant structural hazards were not fully documented or disseminated to responding crews before the incident.
Recommended department actions
Develop pre‑incident plans for structures within first‑due response areas, with special emphasis on vacant or dangerous buildings. Pre‑planning allows fire crews to understand construction, collapse potential, and hazard zones before commitment, a key factor addressed in NFPA 1660, Standard for Emergency, Continuity, and Crisis Management.
Develop and maintain SOPs/SOGs that specifically govern RIT deployment, hazard zone delineation, and collapse risk management. Clear operational guidelines can reduce confusion under stress and support alignment with NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program.
Ensure incident commanders match tactical strategy to current and anticipated conditions, incorporating risk versus benefit analysis into every decision. Structured risk assessment supports safe operations and is consistent with NFPA 1561, Standard on Emergency Services Incident Management System.
Train all personnel on risk management principles, hazard recognition, and collapse indicators for different building types. Frequent, focused training enhances situational awareness and helps crews understand when to withdraw from unsafe zones.
Strategically deploy dedicated safety officers to monitor high‑risk incidents and communicate hazards. Having safety officers assigned to tactical groups reinforces adherence to protocols and improves oversight during evolving fireground conditions.
Training discussion questions
- How can our department improve pre‑incident planning for vacant or under‑inspected buildings in our first‑due district?
- What changes to SOP/SOGs can we adopt to better define collapse zone boundaries when performing RIT tasks at structure fires?
- How should risk versus benefit analysis be documented and communicated during operations where conditions change rapidly?
NIOSH Career firefighter dies and another injured while performing rapid intervention team tasks at vacant ... by Lexipol_Media_Group
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