Corral Fire - Malibu - Green sheet - Firefighter Burn Injury Investigation

GREEN SHEET - CA-LAC-Corral
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Informational Summary Report of Serious CDF Injuries, Illnesses,
Accidents and Near-Miss Incidents

Firefighter Burn Injury
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Corral Fire
CA-LAC-255190
Firefighter Burn Injury Investigation
CA-CSR-000129


A Board of Review has not approved this Summary Report. It is intended as a safety and training tool, an aid to preventing future occurrences, and to inform interested parties. Because it is published on a short time frame, the information contained herein is subject to revision as further investigation is conducted and additional information is developed.

SUMMARY

On Saturday November 24, 2007 at 3:30 A.M. a vegetation fire occurred in the Malibu area of Los Angeles County in a State Responsibility Area. At 4:49 A.M. CAL FIRE Strike Team 9270C, which was pre-positioned at Ventura staging, was dispatched to the Corral Fire. During suppression activities a Fire Fighter I (FFI) was attempting to extinguish a burning plastic trash can across the street from where Engine (E)2782 was parked. When the FFI opened the nozzle, a splash of molten plastic sprayed onto the face area. The FFI received burn injuries to the face area and was transported by ambulance to UCLA Santa Monica Hospital. After initial assessment the FFI was transported by ambulance to Grossman Burn Center and admitted.

CONDITIONS

The general area was scattered oak trees with ground litter in a rural residential setting. The roads throughout the neighborhood were narrow with over- hanging limbs. The Santa Ana wind event in the area was a significant factor in the spread of the main fire but not a factor in this incident.

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

On Saturday November 24, 2007 at 4:49 A.M. CAL FIRE Strike Team 9270C was dispatched from their pre-positioned staging location in Ventura to the Corral Fire in Malibu, CA.

At approx. 5:30 A.M. the Strike Team Leader and Trainee gave a tailgate safety briefing to the firefighters which included; weather, communications, fuels, topography, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and review of an engine burn over from a previous fire in the same area.

At approx. 6:15 A.M. the Strike Team was assigned structure protection in the Newell Structure group area, where assignment and safety briefings were conducted.

At 7:06 A.M. E2782 was positioned in the driveway at 26160 Fairside Road for structure protection. Once parked, the Fire Apparatus Engineer (FAE) observed smoke and flames from a burning plastic trash can across the street. The smoke was coming directly towards the engine and crew, so the FAE directed the FFI to go put the fire out. The FFI was wearing wildland fire PPE. His shroud was deployed but was not closed in front of his face. The FFI advanced a hard line from the engine, across the street, to the burning trash can. The FFI was approx. 3-4 feet from the burning trash can with flames less then a foot tall.

The FFI opened the combination nozzle in the straight stream position and sprayed water directly at the base of the flames. When the water hit the burning plastic, a spray of molten plastic and flames enveloped the firefighter. The firefighter stated he could see the lights from the engine and rolled to the ground towards their direction.

The FAE witnessed the incident and immediately called on the radio for the Strike Team leader to respond to their location. The other firefighter, who also witnessed the incident, went to the aid of the burned FFI who was found face down in the roadway.

At 7:07 A.M. oxygen and first aid were given by the crew from E2782 until the Strike Team leader, who is a certified Paramedic, arrived to do an advanced assessment. The decision was made to transport the injured FFI to the hospital by ambulance. A Private ambulance transported the injured FFI to UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica. Notifications were made and a hospital liaison was assigned to meet the FFI at the hospital. The initial assessment from the attending physician at UCLA Medical Center indicated the burns were minor and the FFI would be released.

At 10:50 a.m. the liaison officer consulted with the CAL FIRE Agency Rep. and made the decision to have the FFI transported by ambulance to the Grossman Burn Center. Once admitted to the burn center the FFI went through a debridement procedure, hyperbaric chamber therapy and cadaver skin overlays to aid in the healing process.

INJURIES/DAMAGES

The FFI received 1st & 2nd degree burns to the face and left ear. After the initial assessment at UCLA Medical Center, the FFI was transported by ambulance and admitted to the Grossman Burn Center.

SAFETY ISSUES FOR REVIEW

Maintain situational awareness at all times
Insure the proper wearing and securing of all appropriate PPE

INCIDENTAL ISSUES FOR REVIEW

These items were a positive factor in the handling of this incident.

1. Numerous documented safety briefings were given to the firefighters prior to engaging.
2. Photos of the site were taken minutes after the accident.
3. Medical care was immediate and a Paramedic was on scene within minutes.
4. The Liaison Officer took the initiative to have the patient transported to the Grossman Burn Center where he was admitted until Wednesday November 28, 2007.