Mt Diablo Near Miss

Mt Diablo Near Miss March 20, 2008 1857HRS #08-01662

Goals • Improve Firefighter Safety • Share our experience with you to prevent this from happening again • Send the message that it is good to talk about events like this

Medical Emergency Response to Rock City Area on Mt Diablo • • • • •

1857hrs E333 RM35 BC31 CALSTAR

En Route Updates • • • • •

Victim was on Sentinel Rock USAR 134 was requested CHP 132 self-dispatched* Park Rangers were not on scene Victim called 911 from the Rock

CHP 132 • Use to spot and locate victim • Concerned with “Cut Off Time” for winch operations

Arrival at Live Oak Campground 1921hrs (DUSK) • E333, RM35, BC31 arrived at same time • Briefed Fouts, Carrillo and Ellis • Rescue personnel coordinate the rescue and we would support it • Ranger escorted us in • Gear – Ropes, Stokes, EMS, Headlights, Hand lights

On Scene • “New Rescue Area” on Sentinel Rock • CHP 132 had landed and rigged for winch operation and was back overhead • CHP 132 was pushing to complete operation – Only 10 minutes to “Cut Off” • CALSTAR landed and staged • Sunset was coming

Size Up • Did not need CHP 132 – Too Loud, Too Risky, Too STRESSFUL!

• • • • •

“Uninjured Victim Pick Off” Victim had minor back pain 1 Rescuer, 2 Lines Bomb Proof Anchor Steep edge to protect

Assignments • • • • • • • •

J. Fouts was Safety and edge protection Ellis coordinate the lowering lines Terry was packaged as the rescuer Carrillo, Purnell and R. Fouts support the operation USAR 134 bring the stokes to the bottom to catch the victim USAR 134 provide necessary EMS care RM35 will transport Viera was IC

Events • • • • • • • •

Rescuer was safety checked Safety Officer was “stuck” to the edge Safety Check was “Incomplete” Everyone Trusted and Assumed the system was good Lowered rescuer to victim = went fine Attached the victim to first line Under-equipped to make second connection Rescuer separated from second line

Events Continued • • • •

Victim on one line Rescuer on one line “I think it will be fine” Started lowering operation,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

ANCHOR FAILED • Rescuer dropped about 3 Feet • Everyone stayed extremely CALM • Hands were always on the ropes and felt the change in speed in one line • Everyone held onto the rope • Anchor was reset • Operation was completed

After the call • AAR that night at Station 33 • Opened our eyes to what could have happened • Exposed our lack of familiarity with the RPM System • Returned and conducted training and successfully performed the rescue • Exposed that we did not have a process to discuss things like this

Morals to the Story • Never Assume / Always Verify • Safety Officer must be able to inspect entire system • Train more and be familiar with your equipment • Trust your gut

If you tell yourself: “I think it will be alright” “IT ISN’T !”

“STOP THE OPERATION” Anyone can stop it