Investigation of a heat stress-related death of a fire fighter

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies (DSHEFS) conducts investigations of health hazards in the workplace under the NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) program. In September 1990, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) requested that NIOSH assess the health and safety practices used by fire personnel during a brush fire on September 6, 1990, in Sedgwick County, Kansas. A 25-year-old fire fighter died of heat stroke at the scene.The NIOSH site visit to Sedgwick County, Kansas included a tour of the fire scene, personal interviews with 25 fire fighters and support personnel, and a review of incident reports, incident command procedures and other documents. NIOSH investigators concluded that a preventable series of events preceded the fire fighter's death. Recommendations were made for incident command and safety procedures, as well as medical monitoring, rehabilitation of fire fighters at fire scenes, and rehydration schedules.