Marston Road Stafford Incident Case Study Brian Griffiths
Marston Road, Stafford Incident Case Study Brian Griffiths Operational Assurance Manager
Introduction Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service recognises the potential for this event to have led to the serious injury or death of firefighters The Service was determined to examine the events to identify, share and implement any learning points in an open and honest manner to ensure firefighters can operate as safely as possible in the future
Incident Safety Event Case Review • • • NATURE - House full of smoke ADDRESS - 93 Marston Road, Stafford DATE - 9 th September 2013 TIME - 12: 00 hrs ATTENDANCE – PRL Stafford WRT Rising Brook
In Attendance – 12: 06 hrs • Info Gathering; MDT, Occupier in attendance, No life risk, Property type, light smoke issuing • The Brief – 2 x BA, 1 HRJ, TIC, search, locate & extinguish the fire.
Sequence of Events • 12: 06 hrs - Staff PRL INAT ( 6 mins) • 12: 12 hrs - Informative “Heavy Smoke Logging 2 BA Offensive Tactics. ETA of Rising Brook? 2 BA to be ready and covering jet required on arrival. ” • 12: 14 hrs - Rising Brook INAT • 12: 16 hrs - Tac Advisor INAT • 12: 18 hrs - Make pumps 4 • 12: 21 hrs - EXPLOSION OCCURS !
SO WHAT WENT WRONG ?
View CCTV. Your Initial thoughts ?
15 mins from In Att - • • • Rapid Changes Occurred External indicators – thick, black smoke BA crews experience rapid temp rise. IC & TA decide to withdraw crews ECO hit the “ board evacuation” Explosion Occurs IC considers “ BA Emergency” • Crews emerge from property - 20 secs later 21 secs
What caused the explosion? The Fire Research Establishment have confirmed a backdraught did occur within the property This is possibly the first incident in recent years where firefighters have been caught in a backdraught and serious injuries or fatalities have not resulted
? 4 + Leos a Blain Har row Store, A von one t Athers Cou rt Oldha m St Man rsc owe hester T y e rl Shi 19 Mar lie F arm In the last 20 years Firefighters (UK) have lost their lives at fires
Rule 43 s SFRS have conducted a Gap analysis of Rule 43 s from National incidents such as the ones previously mentioned. Gaps identified in: - • • • Training ( ICS 1 and BA entanglement) Equipment ( PPV, BA mods, Wire Cutters) Procedures ( High Rise policy) Risk Information (PORIS) Liaison with Local Authority Building Control WHY WAIT FOR RULE 43 s – lets learn from ALL incidents FF fatalities should not be the catalyst for change
Learning Outcomes 1. Information Gathering – Active Questioning/ Thermal scanning 2. Information Exchange – Risk Critical Information 3. Impact on crews and the OIC - Debrief and Investigation
Training Outcomes • Competency Framework – SFRS advancement Programme now gives us a structure to deliver all underpinning knowledge for operational crews through the IFE. • Fire Behaviour Training – search (TIC) locate & extinguish fire, Practical application of water, ( New BA Ops Guidance, Part B - )
Next Steps Internal; Ø SFRS to immediately implement the lessons learnt from this Incident Safety Event Case Study. Ø Every Firefighter within SFRS to receive this presentation External: Ø To be shared nationally via the Collaborative Partnership (TOG)
Sharing the Lessons Nationally
Any Questions ? “The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing”
- Slides: 16