The Boise (ID) Fire Department recently released a helmet-cam video showing a collapse at a residential fire scene. Check it out in the player above, or go to http://youtu.be/CepAmwlNBpA.
A description of the scene indicated that this was a three-alarm fire at a three-story home.
In describing video previously released of the incident, Boise Fire Chief Dennis Doan explained it was thanks to an alert firefighter whose training allowed him to recognize signs that the large structure was about to collapse, and the immediately notification from the Incident Commander warning firefighters to back away from the structure that likely saved several lives.
“Calm heads mean good decision making especially in a crisis. We train for the worst and that training paid off.” said Chief Doan. Two firefighters were injured in the collapse. Both were hit by falling debris that pushed them into the side of the neighbor’s home. One firefighter was hit in the chest, the other in the leg. Neither injury was serious.
For more on structural collapse, Structural Collapse Under Fire Conditions, Construction Concerns for Firefighters: Structural Collapse, and Construction Concerns for Firefighters: Structural Collapse , Part II.
