Read the full report summary: Page 1 | Page 2
The Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department lacks a "culture of safety" and is headed for a "catastrophic event" unless attitudes change, an independent review warns.
Fire and Rescue Chief Rob Brown and County Administrator Steve Crosby requested the outside study following a dispute between paid and volunteer units responding to a May 15 house fire on Rosedale Drive in the Rock Hill area.
An engine with a paid crew from the Mountain View Fire Department arrived first, followed by an engine from the Stafford Volunteer Fireman's Association.
The county's standard operating procedure requires the second engine to supply water to the first. But in this case, the volunteer crew pulled its own hose and refused to provide the backup water supply.
No one was seriously injured, but other safety concerns were raised that led county officials to seek the review.
A four-man team from Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Services analyzed documents, studied procedures and interviewed members of the Stafford fire and rescue squads before providing a 25-page report to the county last month.
The team determined that the volunteer crew's refusal "did not appear to be malicious" because the truck operator was unfamiliar with deploying the backup water line.
But the review cited a number of apparent safety violations at the scene, including failure to wear proper protective gear and provide backup for firefighters inside the structure. It also noted that one firefighter accidentally struck another with a power saw, only narrowly avoiding a serious injury.
The report also found that:
Some personnel were unfamiliar with Stafford's fire and rescue procedures and lacked proper training.
Units responding to the fire did not follow command and control procedure.
Communication at the scene was poor.
Interviews with firefighters showed that some have an attitude that they operate by their own rules.
That attitude is responsible for most of the safety issues cited and "will eventually lead to a catastrophic event for Stafford County if not addressed," the report warned.
"Universally, there does not appear to be a culture of safety within the organization," it concluded.
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A review team led by Chesterfield County Fire and EMS Chief Paul W. Mauger looked into Stafford Fire and Rescue's response to a May 15 house fire on Rosedale Drive and identified these safety issues:
A firefighter trying to ventilate a garage door accidentally struck another firefighter with a power saw.
Firefighters at the scene were not wearing proper protective equipment.
A firefighter got out of a vehicle while it was in motion.
Proper standby/rescue personnel were not available for firefighters inside the burning house.
There was a delay in establishing a water supply.
Ventilation efforts were not coordinated.
Failure to control a ladder led to the unnecessary breaking of a window and shards of dangerous glass.
There was a failure to communicate via radio or on the ground.
Firefighters at the scene were operating by their own rules.
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Date published: 9/2/2007
Most recent reader comments:
Leadership.....
(posted by
tango
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
Let's start holding people accountable for their actions/inactions. Last thing we want here is another "Charleston" in our hands. Public safety should be every residents concern and as a taxpayer I would like to think that in an emergency, I would have a fire or medic unit onscene sooner than 12 minutes. Would higher taxes assure me of that? Probably not, but at the very least I want whomever responded to be fully qualified and accountable for their actions.
Tradition?
(posted by
harleydude
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
Fire Department... 150 years of tradition unimpeded by progress. The demograpgics are changing. People living in the area don't have time to Volunteer for such a major commitment as FD. They work in NoVa and DC because they can afford it here. The population base that we draw Volunteers from is shrinking. The fire Departments in Stafford must be proactive or they will fail. It's an expensive business , The protective clothing for any firefighter, paid or vol. costs several thousand $ each .
time's a changing for Fire Department
(posted by
harleydude
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
Been in FD for 30 years Paid and Vol. The service exists only for the citizens. Career firefighters in the NoVa area goes through over 4 months of M-F training to even set on apparatus. The training is paramount and no excuses are viable. No time for training, no time to be a F/F. its gotta happen. The training never ends. The task takes heart to stay at it and training to stay alive. There are over 1000 names on the stones and the National Fallen firefighters memorial. Many from lack of training
Problems with volunteers continue
(posted by
AnytimeAnywhere
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
Glad to see these problems coming to a head in Stafford. Attitudes with volunteers have been present for many years and this is not the first incident. I'm just glad no one was seriuosly injured while the battle of ego's was in swing. The volunteer systems in the entire Fredericksburg,Stafford,Spotsy,King George,Orange and Culpeper areas are failing due to poor staffing and poorly trained personel. It's about time these Counties take the horses by the reins and start placing 24/7 career in all stations.
Problems with transitions do occur
(posted by
WeimCity
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
I find it very diffucult to understand that a long tradition of having a volunteer based obligation and the new "paid" unit trying to make a name for itself. Volunteer firefighters and paramedics are the most dedicated and trained personnel I have ever meet. Glad to see that thte report shows they were justified in their response. They have my respect.
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