Firefighter Autopsy Protocol - US Fire Administration - Federal ...

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■ Firefighter Autopsy Protocol ■ 159 ■ Appendix B ■ NIOSH REP. # F2000-02 Jul 06, 1998 F2000-01 Dec 18, 1999 DATE OF INCIDENT Title CAUSE OF DEATH AUTOPSY AUTOPSY COMMENTS Forestry worker dies while bulldozing a fire line at a wildland fire—Alabama Motor-vehicle incident claims the life of a volunteer firefighter and injures a volunteer chief—Virginia Per death certificate: “cardiac arrest” as the immediate cause of death and “respiratory failure” as the underlying cause Per autopsy: “acute myocardial infarction” (heart attack) Atlanto-occipital dislocation (severe neck spinal cord damage) resulting from motorvehicle violence lYes • Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, trivessel, very severe (Ninety-% occlusion of each of the following arteries: left anterior descending, right, and circumflex arteries) • Myocardial infarctions, old, remote, multiple • Myocardial infarction, recent, acute Toxicological analysis reported a 10-percent carboxyhemoglobin level. In an interview, the head of the Toxicology Section who performed this analysis communicated that the victim’s actual carboxyhemoglobin range was within 5 to 10 percent, a range he considered indicative of carbon monoxide exposure during this fire suppression but not indicative of a toxic exposure Not mentioned None PDF LINK
■■Appendix C: Examination of Personal Protective Equipment In some cases, performance of protective clothing and equipment will be a factor in the incident outcome. The condition of all protective clothing and equipment must be properly documented as part of the investigation and can have an impact on a determination for the cause of death during an autopsy. The impounded equipment should be examined at the scene if possible, and again after it has been secured. While at the scene, it is important to note the condition of the equipment in addition to its operational status. Closer examination of equipment may be done following impoundment. Each item of protective clothing and equipment should be examined carefully. The clothing and equipment always should be photographed. Begin the series of photographs with an overview picture of the item (both front and back). Additional pictures should be taken of every significant component or feature of the clothing and equipment. Pay particular attention to valves, knobs, buttons, and hoses of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and interface areas for clothing, such as the front closure and collar of pants, ear covers, and visor or goggles of helmets. Table C-1 provides a list of photographs that should be taken for each item of protective clothing and equipment. Areas of damage or charring also should be photographed. Schematic drawings of protective clothing and equipment should indicate location and extent of the damage. Investigators should take detailed and descriptive notes of all observations. It is as important to note that something was functional or in good condition as it is to note failure or damage. Most performance tests of clothing is destructive. Therefore, it is important to document the condition of the clothing and equipment properly through a detailed written description and photographs/video before any testing is conducted. Note testing always must be authorized by the department before the testing is conducted. Any testing should be identified in advance by: ■ the type of test; ■ the laboratory where the test will be conducted; ■ a description of any samples or specimens removed from the clothing or equipment; ■ the purpose of the test; and ■ the deposition of any samples that are tested. Evaluation of SCBA is critical to the investigation. Do not make any adjustments to the SCBA unless absolutely necessary. The positions of straps and knobs should be photographed, and then marked with an indelible marker or grease pencil. Valves should not be opened or shut under any circumstances. If the investigators wish to test breathing air, a SCBA that was filled from the same source at approximately the same time should be used. Several observations should be made at the incident scene: ■ 160 ■
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