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.
