ARFF truck accident at OAK, firefighter critically injured
- Thread starter ChasenSFO
- Start date
A Life Aloft
Well-Known Member
Happened this morning ......
OAKLAND -- A firefighter suffered life-threatening injuries Tuesday morning after a fire rig crashed on a taxiway at Oakland International Airport during a training exercise, authorities said.
The wreck took place just before 11:45 a.m. during a simulated red alert drill to test emergency response time to incidents at the airport, said Sean Maher, spokesman for Mayor Jean Quan.
The Oakland firefighter was driving an Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting rig -- a vehicle equipped to carry 3,000 gallons of water and 420 gallons of foam -- when the vehicle rolled during a turn in front of the Oakland Maintenance Center, formerly the United Airlines Hanger.
The firefighter, a 28-year veteran of the Oakland Fire Department assigned to the airport, was not thrown from the vehicle, but sustained major injuries, Maher said. The firefighter, the sole occupant on the rig, was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
Authorities have not released his identity.
No other injuries were reported.
The wreck closed the small taxiway but so far has not affected any flights or other property on the grounds, an airport spokesman said.
As of 2 p.m., the Alameda County Sheriff's Office and the California Highway Patrol were assisting the Oakland Fire Department with the investigation. Two large tow trucks were also on scene.
Damn, I hope he makes it and has a full recovery.
OAKLAND -- A firefighter suffered life-threatening injuries Tuesday morning after a fire rig crashed on a taxiway at Oakland International Airport during a training exercise, authorities said.
The wreck took place just before 11:45 a.m. during a simulated red alert drill to test emergency response time to incidents at the airport, said Sean Maher, spokesman for Mayor Jean Quan.
The Oakland firefighter was driving an Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting rig -- a vehicle equipped to carry 3,000 gallons of water and 420 gallons of foam -- when the vehicle rolled during a turn in front of the Oakland Maintenance Center, formerly the United Airlines Hanger.
The firefighter, a 28-year veteran of the Oakland Fire Department assigned to the airport, was not thrown from the vehicle, but sustained major injuries, Maher said. The firefighter, the sole occupant on the rig, was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
Authorities have not released his identity.
No other injuries were reported.
The wreck closed the small taxiway but so far has not affected any flights or other property on the grounds, an airport spokesman said.
As of 2 p.m., the Alameda County Sheriff's Office and the California Highway Patrol were assisting the Oakland Fire Department with the investigation. Two large tow trucks were also on scene.
Damn, I hope he makes it and has a full recovery.
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pnwchief22
Well-Known Member
Skid marks on the taxiway? Maybe Missed the line or forgot where he was on the field & bang. Hope everything works out for him and the response team.
Happens more often than you think. Very high CG vehicles that need to be driven carefully, especially when responding Code 3 like they were doing here and making a turn. Even with the baffled tank interior, the truck is sufficiently top heavy that it will roll when turns are improperly made. The trucks themselves have rollover warning systems as well as prevention systems (auto-leveling suspension, traction sensing, etc), but still these accidents occur, generally due to some kind of tunnel vision during the response.
The truck itself, an Oshkosh T3000, is sufficiently heavy that it's likely a total loss, having crushed itself under its own weight.
The truck itself, an Oshkosh T3000, is sufficiently heavy that it's likely a total loss, having crushed itself under its own weight.
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A Life Aloft
Well-Known Member
Cripes, it's like rolling over in a tank, I imagine. From a couple of news briefs they stated that "He has previously worked at department headquarters but transferred to the airport “to learn something different,” so perhaps he was a bit inexperienced in this type of environment. I don't know and don't want to speculate obviously.
Mike, is he pretty well strapped in while driving and he would have been wearing a helmet?
Mike, is he pretty well strapped in while driving and he would have been wearing a helmet?
That's the bad part:
The trucks aren't designed for rollover accident protection in terms of seats, etc. The seats are only basic air-ride seats with lap belts. The driver/operator of an ARFF vehicle is generally not in full turnout gear. He/she is generally only in bunker/prox pants and boots, and maybe coat, but often doesn't have a helmet on. The reason for that is twofold:
1. The driver/operator isn't generally going to be exiting the vehicle on scene. His job is to stay with the vehicle and maneuver it as necessary to ensure the application of foam both on the fire or fire area, or at exits, or to support the disembarked firefighters from the ARFF truck (who would be in full gear) to the extent they require. The only time he would exit the truck is to work foam/water resupply issues, or some extenuating circumstance.
2. A helmet or other items in the ARFF truck interior hinders movement and vision to a certain extent, and drivers tend to keep them off for this reason. They have their gear with them if needed to exit the vehicle and assist, but it's not fully worn when responding for these reasons.
A Life Aloft
Well-Known Member
Oh hell.....I had no idea....so no shoulder straps at all? I just assumed he would be in full gear including a helmet. I had thought that because of the danger of explosions when they are responding to a plane crash/incident/fire, I guess and that when moments count/things happening so quickly, in case he did leave the vehicle for some reason, he would be already geared up. That's bad then. I understand the reasoning as you have explained, but he is probably/could be in really bad shape then. Ugh.
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Bob Ridpath
Pit Bull love
NY State V & T Law specifically allows exemption for emergency responders from required seat belt use. Correctly or not, during the course of some thirty years of participation, I personally know very few first responders (fire, EMS or law enforcement) who use any kind of restraint when responding to an emergency in a piece of fire apparatus, ambulance or patrol car, despite individual department SOPs/SOGs.
Best wishes for a complete and quick recovery for the ARFF member ...
Best wishes for a complete and quick recovery for the ARFF member ...
ASpilot2be
Qbicle seat warmer
Are the trucks always full? I know when a truck is less than full it can get tippy.
D
Deleted member 27505
Guest
Knowing nothing of this other than your post, and speculating from past experience, I'm going to go with: too much speed, no safety belt. I really hope this guy recovers fully.I know some of you guys have ties with ARFF so I figured I'd share this. Truck overturned and a firefighter is badly hurt. This was just posted as breaking news with no details yet, I'll share a link when there is one to share. Looks bad.
RICHARD5
Well-Known Member
Now for an opposing view;
Bloody hell, the truck operator should, at minimum, possess Class A CDL with proper endorsements. Do not disregard the purpose and intent of licensing and endorsements.
Personal opinion;
this 'veteran' of the fire dept was looking to A) add classification for retirement pension purposes; B) looking to fulfill his Walter Mitty bucket list. Bored and running out of time he was looking to cash in, to manufacture value added material asset. Now he can add disabled.
Anecdote time;
my neighbor had obtained his goal of becoming Captain in Fire Dept prior to age 30. That wasn't good enough for him. He stated to me that he had entered into fire fighting to put out structure fires. Our small rural community did not support his aspirations so he transferred to the Big City even though it involved a loss of rank and a deep pay cut. Ironically, the month after his transfer featured 3 structure fires; two 2-story residences and a commercial building. He later stated to me that it wasn't about firefighting as much as the extraordinary benefits and the rich pension to follow.
Five yrs later and the only structure fires in the big city (San Luis Obispo) have occurred on his off watch. That is to say that in the previous 5 yrs my former neighbor has not once responded to a single structure fire. But his retirement pension will be magnificent for him.
Bloody hell, the truck operator should, at minimum, possess Class A CDL with proper endorsements. Do not disregard the purpose and intent of licensing and endorsements.
Personal opinion;
this 'veteran' of the fire dept was looking to A) add classification for retirement pension purposes; B) looking to fulfill his Walter Mitty bucket list. Bored and running out of time he was looking to cash in, to manufacture value added material asset. Now he can add disabled.
Anecdote time;
my neighbor had obtained his goal of becoming Captain in Fire Dept prior to age 30. That wasn't good enough for him. He stated to me that he had entered into fire fighting to put out structure fires. Our small rural community did not support his aspirations so he transferred to the Big City even though it involved a loss of rank and a deep pay cut. Ironically, the month after his transfer featured 3 structure fires; two 2-story residences and a commercial building. He later stated to me that it wasn't about firefighting as much as the extraordinary benefits and the rich pension to follow.
Five yrs later and the only structure fires in the big city (San Luis Obispo) have occurred on his off watch. That is to say that in the previous 5 yrs my former neighbor has not once responded to a single structure fire. But his retirement pension will be magnificent for him.
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ASpilot2be
Qbicle seat warmer
I dont know about the rest of the country, but up here almost nobody driving fuel trucks on the airport possess a CDL. I could drive a 5000 gallon truck with just a drivers license. That all changes if you take it off airport property.
Roger Roger
Bottom of the list
You'd think police/fire/EMS of all people would know better.
RICHARD5
Well-Known Member
Viola, my point. Driving a vehicle such as the one in subject accident demands special knowledge. As MikeD alludes, even with internal baffles, 500 gallons of liquid, not to mention 5,000 gallons, really does awaken a driver to the reality of shifting weight.
As pilots we understand the importance of aircraft loading. Now imagine that loading, whether at gross or some percentage thereof, and weight shifting at you go through each phase of flight. The ignorant jerkoff involved in this accident should have never been in sole control of said vehicle. His instructors may be exposed to serious charges of negligence but will probably be lessened to slight admonishment which inolve no demotion or loss of benefits. I stand by my affirmation that this driver was only seeking to add classification for purposes of retirement pension. Local govt acts within a protected class. My ex-wife was and is still a long termed govt employee who divulged to me, unwitting on her part due to personal perception, that they protect their own. My ex is not my only source of inside knowledge to local govt.
They have to be full, just for operational purposes. Even if they aren't, they are baffled within the tank, but you're right....they still have to be driven carefully as they're so top heavy.
Many ARFF assignments at large fire depts are considered retirement assignments, much like airport police duty. Namely because of how "easy" the work is and not much that goes on.
RICHARD5
Well-Known Member
Get with the program. Police/Fire/EMS confers no advanced or specialized understanding beyond the standard syllabus of such programs. Remember, any syllabus is for minimal understanding. At age 45, out of shape and long winded I could pass the physical requirements of firefighter as expressed to me in detail by my ex-. The physical agility test requirements were laughable to anyone who participated in HS and university athletics. As for mental aptitude, a chimp might be suitable. Syllabus for such training is notable more for what is NOT included. OTJ experience is what cuts the men from the boys.
Roger Roger
Bottom of the list
Yeh but they see firsthand the effects of not wearing seat belts.
RICHARD5
Well-Known Member
I was hoping you'd chime in given your specialized knowledge. So thank you for that.
Seemingly your experience may be added to my contention that this driver of subject vehicle was only in that position for increase of retirement pension. Further, said driver was allowed by inculcated culture of public employees protecting their own which includes indulgence of Walter Mitty fantasy. Who wouldn't want to be in command of a large green machine with powerful water cannot. Represent, yo.
Blue Skies 4me
Well-Known Member
I am really having a difficult time understanding your vitriol of someone you know nothing about, who has been critically injured and may not even live. Why do you find it necessary to even make such completely out of place and disrespectful comments like this?
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