Firefighters trapped… …a case study December 2, South Morton Avenue Morton, Pennsylvania Edwin C. Kline

Objectives To demonstrate the need for proper MAYDAY training. To demonstrate the need for proper MAYDAY training. To understand that strategic goals and tactical objectives must be set by an incident commander. To understand that strategic goals and tactical objectives must be set by an incident commander. To understand the importance of firefighter accountability and pre-fire planning. To understand the importance of firefighter accountability and pre-fire planning. To demonstrate why fire ground channels MUST be monitored by trained dispatchers. To demonstrate why fire ground channels MUST be monitored by trained dispatchers. And to become passionate about firefighter safety. And to become passionate about firefighter safety.

The Incident December 2 nd, 1995 December 2 nd, hours 0300 hours Apartment building fire Apartment building fire 3 story 3 story 18 apartment units 18 apartment units Center hall Center hall Stairways front and rear Stairways front and rear

The Incident Civilians reported trapped Civilians reported trapped Apartment 16 (3 rd floor) Apartment 16 (3 rd floor) Hanging from windows Hanging from windows One civilian fatality One civilian fatality Arson Arson

The Structure Today

Looking North

Looking South

Side A

Side B

Side C

Side D

52 South Morton Layout MORTONAVEMORTONAVE

The Incident 911 Fire & EMS dispatchers use predetermined response cards. 911 Fire & EMS dispatchers use predetermined response cards. Automatic mutual aid response of three volunteer fire companies and additional EMS. Automatic mutual aid response of three volunteer fire companies and additional EMS. Co Morton Co Morton Co Rutledge Co Rutledge Co Swarthmore Co Swarthmore

The Response The initial fire company resources dispatched includes six engines & two ladders. The initial fire company resources dispatched includes six engines & two ladders. 13-1, , , 11-5, , 11-5, , 14-2, , 14-2, 14-1

The Response At this incident I responded as the Captain on the Swarthmores aerial ladder (14-5). At this incident I responded as the Captain on the Swarthmores aerial ladder (14-5) was staffed by 14-5 was staffed by Captain (apparatus commander) Captain (apparatus commander) Engineer (driver/operator) Engineer (driver/operator) Three Firefighters (4 max.) Three Firefighters (4 max.)

Upon Arrival A sea of people in the street A sea of people in the street Fire Showing from the front stairwell Fire Showing from the front stairwell Subjects trapped at second and third floor windows Subjects trapped at second and third floor windows Reports of an invalid trapped on the second floor Reports of an invalid trapped on the second floor

Firefighter Entrapment The crew from Ladder 14-5 made one ladder rescue and made two attempts to vent, enter, and search the building from ground ladders. The crew from Ladder 14-5 made one ladder rescue and made two attempts to vent, enter, and search the building from ground ladders. The crew then combined with Engine 11-3 and entered the rear stairwell. The crew then combined with Engine 11-3 and entered the rear stairwell. An attack and search of the second floor was made for an invalid reported to be trapped. An attack and search of the second floor was made for an invalid reported to be trapped. Firefighters became trapped when a partial collapse occurred. Firefighters became trapped when a partial collapse occurred.

52 South Morton Layout MORTONAVEMORTONAVE

Audio Recording This audio recording has been used to create new procedures. This audio recording has been used to create new procedures. MAYDAY transmissions MAYDAY transmissions Incident Command System Incident Command System Firefighter accountability Firefighter accountability Assignment of rapid intervention and rehab sectors Assignment of rapid intervention and rehab sectors Training of dispatchers Training of dispatchers Note actions or inactions which affected the outcome of the incident. Note actions or inactions which affected the outcome of the incident.

Play Audio Tape Dispatch Dispatch Company 11 Company 11 Company 13 Company 13 Company 14 Company 14 Medic 102 Medic South Morton Avenue, apartment South Morton Avenue, apartment 16 Structure with Entrapment, 0302 Structure with Entrapment, 0302

Audio Tape Medic102 responding Medic102 responding 11-9A responding (Morton Fire Company Deputy Chief) 11-9A responding (Morton Fire Company Deputy Chief) Police reporting heavy fire with quite a few fire victims, we will be getting a couple ambulances out Police reporting heavy fire with quite a few fire victims, we will be getting a couple ambulances out Okay, get us a few ambulances and an additional ALS (Paramedic Unit) Okay, get us a few ambulances and an additional ALS (Paramedic Unit)

Audio Tape 14-9 responding (Swarthmore Fire Chief) 14-9 responding (Swarthmore Fire Chief) 11-9A? 11-9A? Received original call from apartment 16, the phone line is still active we believe that the subject is trapped Received original call from apartment 16, the phone line is still active we believe that the subject is trapped On location fire showing second floor hallway in the front of the building On location fire showing second floor hallway in the front of the building Medic 102 to fireboard, can you go up to channel four please Medic 102 to fireboard, can you go up to channel four please

Audio Tape 14 confirming (Swarthmore has a crew) 14 confirming (Swarthmore has a crew) 14-9 to fireboard, multiple subjects trapped third floor 14-9 to fireboard, multiple subjects trapped third floor 11-9 (Morton Fire Chief) is 10-3 (on-scene) in the rear 11-9 (Morton Fire Chief) is 10-3 (on-scene) in the rear 11-9A reports multiple people trapped on the second and third floors requests companies 44 and 18 to respond and stage at Rios Pharmacy 11-9A reports multiple people trapped on the second and third floors requests companies 44 and 18 to respond and stage at Rios Pharmacy

Audio Tape Medic responding Medic responding Medic okay, channel four for EMS Medic okay, channel four for EMS (Engine) 11-3 & 9B (Asst. Chief) responding (Engine) 11-3 & 9B (Asst. Chief) responding (Ladder) 14-5 is responding (Ladder) 14-5 is responding Find out if they want us in the rear or the front Find out if they want us in the rear or the front Fireboard to 11-9 (twice) Fireboard to 11-9 (twice) (Engine) 13-1 & 13-9 (Rutledge Fire Chief) responding (Engine) 13-1 & 13-9 (Rutledge Fire Chief) responding

Audio Tape Fireboard to 11-9 or 9A Fireboard to 11-9 or 9A 14-5 to the front or rear of the building, you want them? 14-5 to the front or rear of the building, you want them? 14-5 to the front, (Ladder) 11-5 to the rear 14-5 to the front, (Ladder) 11-5 to the rear 44-9A (Deputy Chief) responding 44-9A (Deputy Chief) responding Okay we are coming down Yale now Okay we are coming down Yale now 11-5 responding to the rear 11-5 responding to the rear

Audio Tape 11-3 on location, dropping a line at Yale Avenue and laying in to the rear of the building 11-3 on location, dropping a line at Yale Avenue and laying in to the rear of the building 14-5 on location, on location 14-5 on location, on location (Engine) 14-2 on location (Engine) 14-2 on location Tower 44 responding Tower 44 responding 11-5 on location 11-5 on location 11-9, orders for Tower 44? 11-9, orders for Tower 44? Front of the building to assist 14 with removal of occupants, 11-5 place your stick to the third floor Front of the building to assist 14 with removal of occupants, 11-5 place your stick to the third floor

Audio Tape 14-2 will be laying in from Rios 14-2 will be laying in from Rios (Engine) 14-1 responding (Engine) 14-1 responding (Engine) 44-2 responding (Engine) 44-2 responding 44-9A to A to 11-9 Anywhere in particular you want our apparatus? Anywhere in particular you want our apparatus? 44-5 in front to assist with evacuation, have your next engine lay in from Rios, and another pick up the hydrant 44-5 in front to assist with evacuation, have your next engine lay in from Rios, and another pick up the hydrant

Audio Tape 44-9A gives orders to 44-5 (Tower 44) and A gives orders to 44-5 (Tower 44) and , Company 18, whats our orders? 11-9, Company 18, whats our orders? 18 come into the rear to assist 11 with evacuation and firefighting 18 come into the rear to assist 11 with evacuation and firefighting 13-1 to (Engine) to (Engine) 13-2 Tower 44 on location Tower 44 on location Fireboard to 11-9 our message? Fireboard to 11-9 our message? Establishing Morton Avenue Command Establishing Morton Avenue Command

Audio Tape 13-1 to 13-2 I need water! 13-1 to 13-2 I need water! (Engine) 11-2 responding (Engine) 11-2 responding Rescue 44 is responding Rescue 44 is responding Orders for 11-2? Orders for 11-2? Pick up the hydrant at Mellaces, 11-3 laid in from there Pick up the hydrant at Mellaces, 11-3 laid in from there (Captain) to 9 {First Collapse} (Captain) to 9 {First Collapse} 14 unit, go to Morton Avenue Command 14 unit, go to Morton Avenue Command

Audio Tape 11-9A? 11-9A? Meet Morton Avenue Command at his car behind you Meet Morton Avenue Command at his car behind you Location? Location? Meet me at my car Meet me at my car 14-9 to to 11-9 Go head to Morton Avenue Command Go head to Morton Avenue Command

Audio Tape Be advised we have a two and half going into the front door to the ground floor and an inch and three quarter line going through an apartment on the second floor Be advised we have a two and half going into the front door to the ground floor and an inch and three quarter line going through an apartment on the second floor Be advised we have lost the stairwell in the front of the building Be advised we have lost the stairwell in the front of the building 44-9A to 11-9! 44-9A to 11-9! Do you have manpower on the third floor of the building? Do you have manpower on the third floor of the building?

Audio Tape We have a crew attempting to get up there I am unaware if they have made it or not yet, they went up the rear We have a crew attempting to get up there I am unaware if they have made it or not yet, they went up the rear Okay, we are going to attempt to take the tower up the side alley and take the windows out Okay, we are going to attempt to take the tower up the side alley and take the windows out Car 99 to Fireboard Car 99 to Fireboard I am going to request that the Red Cross be dispatched to this Morton fire. See if you can get a hold of the state police and CID, we have had several fires at this location. I am going to request that the Red Cross be dispatched to this Morton fire. See if you can get a hold of the state police and CID, we have had several fires at this location.

Audio Tape (Ladder Captain) 14-C5 to 14-9! (Ladder Captain) 14-C5 to 14-9! 14-C5 to 14-9! 14-C5 to 14-9! 11-9 I believe 14, one of the crew from the ladder is trying to contact you 11-9 I believe 14, one of the crew from the ladder is trying to contact you 14 unit go head Morton Avenue Command 14 unit go head Morton Avenue Command Morton Avenue Command the air banks enroute Morton Avenue Command the air banks enroute I didnt copy Fireboard I believe you said they evacuated I didnt copy Fireboard I believe you said they evacuated

Audio Tape 14-C5? 14-C5? 14-9 to Morton Command 14-9 to Morton Command Do you have crews working on the interior from the rear of the building? Do you have crews working on the interior from the rear of the building? Affirmative Affirmative Be advised all crews from the front of the building have removed themselves from the building Be advised all crews from the front of the building have removed themselves from the building Okay Okay

Audio Tape 14-9 to Morton Command 14-9 to Morton Command Morton Avenue Command to fireboard, gas and electric to the scene Morton Avenue Command to fireboard, gas and electric to the scene Morton Avenue Command, number one, do you have PECO (utility company) enroute to this location? And secondarily, you have a severe exposure problem on exposure B Morton Avenue Command, number one, do you have PECO (utility company) enroute to this location? And secondarily, you have a severe exposure problem on exposure B Repeat you message I got the part about the exposure problem on side B Repeat you message I got the part about the exposure problem on side B

Audio Tape Morton Avenue Command the fire has got your electric supply and exposure to 56 Morton Ave Morton Avenue Command the fire has got your electric supply and exposure to 56 Morton Ave (Engine) 44-1 responding (Engine) 44-1 responding 14-C5 to 14-9!!! 14-C5 to 14-9!!! 44-9A to A to 11-9 All units clear the air, (Engine Captain) 14-C1? All units clear the air, (Engine Captain) 14-C1? {Tone} {Tone} All units clear the air, Fireboard to 14-C1 All units clear the air, Fireboard to 14-C1

Audio Tape 44-9A to A to A clear the air! 44-9A clear the air! 14-9? 14-9? Fireboard to 14-9 Fireboard to 14-9 I believe you have a unit 14-C-Kline trying to call you, I do not know what the problem is I believe you have a unit 14-C-Kline trying to call you, I do not know what the problem is Stand-by Stand-by

Audio Tape 44-9A to 11-9! 44-9A to 11-9! Repeat, I am not picking up on the portable Repeat, I am not picking up on the portable 14-C5 to C5 to 14-9 Second floor, we entered from the rear with an inch and three-quarter, we searched all the apartments on the second floor, not everybodys out, we have collapse of the second floor floor and the ceiling from the third, I still do not have all my crew out, hold on Second floor, we entered from the rear with an inch and three-quarter, we searched all the apartments on the second floor, not everybodys out, we have collapse of the second floor floor and the ceiling from the third, I still do not have all my crew out, hold on

Audio Tape I could not copy most of that, we have part of your crew coming out the front second floor right window, can you make it back to that point? I could not copy most of that, we have part of your crew coming out the front second floor right window, can you make it back to that point? Charge my supply line Charge my supply line {Tone} {Tone} All units clear the air for 14-C5 All units clear the air for 14-C5 Go head to 14-C5 Go head to 14-C5 Are you in or out? Are you in or out?

Audio Tape Im out, Im out, Im trying to find my crew Im out, Im out, Im trying to find my crew Reporting crew out fireboard, thank you Reporting crew out fireboard, thank you Where are you, out front? Where are you, out front?

Lessons Learned Create and train on a may-day transmission procedure regularly. Create and train on a may-day transmission procedure regularly. Have an automated personal accountability safety system (PASS) on every SCBA. Have an automated personal accountability safety system (PASS) on every SCBA. Initiate a personnel accountability system for all operations. Initiate a personnel accountability system for all operations. Create and train on a personal accountability report (PAR) procedure. Create and train on a personal accountability report (PAR) procedure.

Lessons Learned Preplan your buildings. Preplan your buildings. Use automatic mutual aid to insure that sufficient resources area available on the fireground. Use automatic mutual aid to insure that sufficient resources area available on the fireground. Conduct a size-up that provides firefighters with strategic and tactical direction. Conduct a size-up that provides firefighters with strategic and tactical direction. Train on and use the incident command system at all incidents. Train on and use the incident command system at all incidents.

Lessons Learned Establish command early. Establish command early. Set primary goals and objectives Set primary goals and objectives Assign command and general staff Assign command and general staff Assign required sectors, groups, or branches Assign required sectors, groups, or branches Do not operate outside of the span of control Do not operate outside of the span of control Establish a rehabilitation sector for firefighters. Establish a rehabilitation sector for firefighters. Assign rapid intervention (RIT) teams. Assign rapid intervention (RIT) teams.

Lessons Learned Maintain control of communications. Maintain control of communications. Insure specialized units receive critical incident information Insure specialized units receive critical incident information Assign additional channels Assign additional channels Use and train on emergency traffic declarations Use and train on emergency traffic declarations Provide other communications equipment Provide other communications equipment Insure that dispatchers are properly trained in emergency traffic and mayday transmissions. Insure that dispatchers are properly trained in emergency traffic and mayday transmissions.

52 South Morton Avenue This incident was a life changing experience. This incident was a life changing experience. I am proud to know that because of this experience numerous firefighters have learned the importance of training and planning for when things will go wrong on the fireground. I am proud to know that because of this experience numerous firefighters have learned the importance of training and planning for when things will go wrong on the fireground.

Life Safety Our number one priority! So everyone goes home!