(FFCC.com notes: For ALL NIOSH Firefighter Fatality reports, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/firehome.html ) June 1, 2005-NIOSH has released a report on the death of Thomas Brick, a New York City firefighter, who died in a warehouse fire in December 2003. The fire broke out on December 16 at a furniture and mattress warehouse in upper Manhattan. While entering the building, the crew encountered heavy smoke and no visibility in a stairwell. Brick and his crew continued to the second floor, seeking the origin of the fire. As a result of a recent delivery, inventory was stacked as high as the ceiling in some places. Brick became separated from his crew during the search. An officer ordered the team to leave due to high heat conditions and an announcement was made that a member was missing. But outside, Brick was accidentally accounted for and the emergency message was cancelled. When a final check discovered that Brick was still missing, colleagues went to try and rescue him. He was found face down with the face piece of his respirator off. Brick was flown to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. NIOSH recommends that to reduce the chance of similar incidents, fire departments should: Ensure that pre-incident commanders conduct a risk-versus-gain analysis before committing firefighters to an interior operation, and continue the analysis during the operation Use guidelines and ropes securely attached to permanent objects and/or a bright, narrow-beamed light at all entries to a structure to guide firefighters during emergency exits. Instruct firefighters in the hazards of exposure to carbon monoxide and warn them never to remove their face pieces in areas in which these hazards are likely to exist. Establish a system to facilitate the reporting of unsafe conditions or code violations observed by firefighters during operations.

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