NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Report for Ammonium Nitrate Explosion at a Fertilizer Plant Fire Texas – 04.07.13

April 2013 plant blast killed nine volunteer firefighters and one off-duty firefighter
      
On April 17, 2013, ten emergency first responders (ranging in age from 26 to 52 and all male) were killed when a burning fertilizer plant containing an estimated 40 to 60 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded just outside the city limits.  The explosion occurred less than 20 minutes after the emergency responders arrived on-scene.

The victims included 5 volunteer fire fighters with the city’s volunteer fire department, and 4 volunteer fire fighters from 3 neighboring volunteer fire departments who were attending an emergency medical services (EMS) class in the city.  One off-duty career fire captain and two civilians who responded to offer assistance to the volunteer fire department were also killed by the explosion.

The victims were among a number of first responders engaged in fire suppression and support activities and were in close proximity to the burning structure when the explosion occurred.  Five other volunteer fire fighters with the city’s fire department were injured.  The two civilians were providing non-suppression support to the fire department when they were killed by the blast.  Three civilians living nearby also died as the result of the blast.

Contributing Factors

* Non-recognition of the hazards associated with ammonium nitrate

* Limited pre-incident planning of commercial facility

* Fire quickly spread to an un-controllable size

* Approximately 40-60 tons of solid ammonium nitrate unexpectedly detonated

* Responders working within blast radius at time of explosion  

* Large non-sprinklered, wood construction, commercial structure.

Key Recommendations

* Fire departments should conduct pre-incident planning inspections of buildings within their jurisdiction to facilitate development of safe fireground strategies and tactics, especially for high hazard / high risk structures and occupancies

* Fire departments should have a written risk management plan, use risk management principles at all structure fires and especially at incidents involving high risk hazards

* Fire departments should develop, implement and enforce a written Incident Management System to be followed at all emergency incident operations

* Fire departments should ensure that fire fighters wear a full array of turnout clothing and personal protective equipment appropriate for the assigned tasks

* Fire departments should ensure that fire fighters are trained to standards that meet or exceed NFPA 1001 Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications.

Additionally, governing agencies (federal, state, regional, and local municipalities) should:

Consider requiring automatic sprinkler systems, performing regular fire inspections, and other types of active fire prevention methods in industrial facilities, especially those with high risk / high hazard inventory

Consider following the most current safe handling procedures for ammonium nitrate fertilizer storage and handling.

Read the entirety of the report at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201311.html

(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.)

NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Investigation: New York Lieutenant Dies after Annual SCBA Training

Two and a half hours after strenuous training the lieutenant complained of not feeling well.

The NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program has released the line of duty death report of a New York volunteer lieutenant who suffered a stroke and died after participating in SCBA confidence training in January 2011.

Read the Report
Lieutenant Suffers a Stroke Following Training and Dies

On January 10, 2011, a 26-year-old male volunteer lieutenant (LT) participated in annual training designed to increase confidence with the breathing apparatus. Approximately two and a half hours after completing 16 minutes of strenuous self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) training, the LT complained of not feeling well. He was evaluated by fellow fire fighters who noted very high blood pressure. A paramedic was summoned to transport the LT to the emergency department (ED) where he was admitted to the hospital for dizziness and headache.

Overnight his condition deteriorated and it became clear he was having a stroke. Despite care in the hospital, the FF died on January 12, 2011.

The death certificate and autopsy listed "cerebellar infarct due to vertebral artery thrombosis" as the cause of death.

The NIOSH investigators concluded that the LT's death was likely due to an ischemic stroke due to a congenital abnormality in the brain’s vascular system and possibly triggered by the heavy physical exertion required by the training. The following recommendations would not have prevented this LT’s death. However, NIOSH investigators offer these recommendations to address general safety and health issues:

• Provide preplacement and annual medical evaluations to all fire fighters in accordance with NFPA 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments.
• Phase in a mandatory comprehensive wellness and fitness program for fire fighters.

(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.)