NIOSH Releases Report on 2010 Chicago LODD

NIOSH has released its findings and recommendations after a line of duty death (LODD) fire on December 22, 2010. Two firefighters were killed after the roof collapsed at a vacant commercial building on Chicago's southside.

You can read the entire report here.

The following are the contributing factors according the report:

• Lack of a vacant / hazardous building marking program within the city


• Vacant / hazardous building information not part of automatic dispatch system


• Dilapidated condition of the structure


• Dispatch occurred during shift change resulting in fragmented crews


• Weather conditions including snow accumulation on roof and frozen water hydrants


• Not all fire fighters equipped with radios.

Key Recommendations:

• Identify and mark buildings that present hazards to fire fighters and the public


• Use risk management principles at all structure fires and especially abandoned or vacant unsecured structures


• Train fire fighters to communicate interior conditions to the Incident Commander as soon as possible and to provide regular updates


• Provide battalion chiefs with a staff assistant or chief's aide to help manage information and communication


• Provide all fire fighters with radios and train them on their proper use


• Develop, train on, and enforce the use of standard operating procedures that specifically address operations in abandoned and vacant structures