The training exercise, which included four other firefighters, took place behind Fire Station 61 on 2121 NW third Ave, Pompano Beach, Florida at approximately 4:20 p.m. The other firefighters witnessed the fall, including one who stood on the ladder behind Elliott during the exercise. The report indicates that this was the first time a Pompano Beach firefighter has died in the line of duty.
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Fire Chief Harry Small was quoted to say,“In order to do this type of work, which is very dangerous, you have to train a lot on your aerial units because that’s risky stuff to begin with. Training is a part of our lives and there’s a number of firefighter fatalities annually in the United States from training exercises. It’s sad but true.”
“We’ve had a death in the family here, essentially,” Small said. “He was an extraordinarily competent guy, one of our best, it’s just very hard to deal with.”
Elliot had no wife or children and had been with the department since 1989.
The Broward Sheriff's Office and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating.
(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)
