The main question one might therefore ask is whether their combined experience and training were not sufficient to prevent their deaths. Both men had Fire Fighter Level I training and years of experience. When investigating the circumstances leading to their deaths, several recommendations were made, one of which focused on training.
In addition to improving interdepartmental and interagency communication, training recommendations included more comprehensive fire fighter training requirements regarding fire behavior. Indeed, the fire fighters entered a dangerous situation without apparently understanding the behavior of fire under ventilation conditions in sufficient depth to ensure their own safety.
Another important condition for effective fire fighting measures is to ensure that sufficient numbers of personnel are available. Indeed, Sheridan (2011) asserts that each rank within the fire fighting crew should have its own responsibilities and focus. To ensure the safety and sufficient support for all crew members involved, these roles should be strictly adhered to. This would not only require sufficient personnel numbers, but also sufficient interpersonal and interdepartmental training to...
Such support was lacking in the incidents involve.
Wright (1998, p. 1) mentions the importance of local, State, and Federal requirements when creating a training program. In the light of the events surrounding the two deaths, there has been a recommendation to enhance these for the benefit of future fire fighters and the prevention of similar incidents.
One might then conclude that a number of factors were responsible for the deaths, of which training played no small part. Sufficient training should be provided not only for rescue protocol and a basic understanding of fire behavior, but also for the way in which teams should function during such events.
References
Sheridan, D.P. (2011, Sep. 30). First-Due Battalion Chief: Playing in Your Own Sandbox. Fire Engineering. Retrieved from: http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2011/09/sheridan-bc-sandbox.html
Wright, D. (1998). A Fire Department Training Program that Complies with Federal, State, and Local Regulations. Lincoln Fire Department. Retrieved from: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/pdf/efop/efo28762.pdf
