CFPD: Type 3 Engine Roll-over during training

CALIFORNIA BRUSH TRUCK ROLLS DURING TRAINING-ALL MEMBERS BELTED IN

A Central Fire Protection District (that serves Capitola, Soquel and Live Oak) crew wrecked a wildland engine while training in an off-road park on Wednesday.

Three firefighters with experience battling wildland fires took the brush engine, to the Hollister Hills State Vehicle Recreation Area to practice off-road driving when they accidentally rolled the rig down a steep hillside.

One firefighter suffered a minor injury in the crash, which remains under investigation.
The fire crew was driving down a hill on a blue road, which means the terrain is moderate, around noon when the engine rolled to the left and down the slope.

The crash was a "soft roll" at a slow speed and it was not a violent action, but the vehicle rolled 2½ times down a steep hillside toward a ravine before it was caught by a tree and came to rest upside down.

One firefighter suffered a minor shoulder injury when the engine flipped.

The two firefighters inside, who were wearing seat belts, got out and hiked with the third firefighter, who was acting as a safety spotter, to the ranger station for help.

After the wreck Wednesday, all of the firefighters involved were tested and cleared of being under the influence of intoxicants.

It is standard practice for CFPD whenever there is an on-duty accident and that the agency has a no-tolerance drug policy.

The suspicion is the road bed gave way, which shifted the engine's weight to one side and caused the rollover.

Source: The Secret List www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com - Link
CENTRAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY - Link