Low Frequency: High Risk Events: WIcklow Lane Multiple Fatality House Fire
(Room 1D)
25 Feb 17
10:00 AM
-
12:00 PM
Low frequency high risk is a case study of the deadliest fire in Chesterfield County’s recent history. The fire claimed the lives of five family members from three separate generations and injured two firefighters and one police officer. The presentation uses graphics and video to recount the tragic event from origin to recovery. Fire behavior, risk benefit, critical decision making, and crew integrity are a few of the points discussed as key in the success of the operation. On January 17, 2016, an improperly disposed of cigarette caused the death of five people on Wicklow Lane. Crews battled intense conditions, performing low frequency high risk operations removing all five trapped occupants from the structure. The presentation details the events that caused the fire and how it spread unnoticed trapping and killing five of the ten people who resided in the 3400 square foot home. It also details tactics used, such as VEIS to affect those rescues and bring the well involved fire under control, and highlights the benefits of training on low frequency, high risk tactics. The company officers, who responded on the first alarm, recount on video in their own words, the critical decisions they made with limited information and resources. They also discuss their observations and talk through the decisions they made and the effect their actions had on the outcome of the incident.