FF Loses Life Trying to Save DPW Worker

[len1582]

Low Oxygen Levels in Manhole Deaths in Tarrytown
TARRYTOWN, N.Y. (AP) - Oxygen levels were dangerously low in a Tarrytown manhole where a sewer worker collapsed and died and a firefighter died trying to save him, a fire department official said Tuesday.

Autopsies were planned in hopes of learning what killed Anthony Ruggiero, 48, and John Kelly, 51, in a sewer system manhole, village administrator Michael Blau said. Tarrytown is 24 miles north of New York City.

Blau said Ruggiero, who was with the Department of Public Works, was checking a report of a sewer backup and Kelly, a volunteer firefighter, was assisting him. The manhole was behind a fire station.

Ruggiero collapsed in the manhole and Kelly went down to help him but also collapsed, Mayor Drew Fixell said. It took 15 to 20 minutes to get them out. They were pronounced dead at Westchester Medical Center

[Capt387]

Low Oxygen Levels in Manhole Deaths in Tarrytown
TARRYTOWN, N.Y. (AP) - Oxygen levels were dangerously low in a Tarrytown manhole where a sewer worker collapsed and died and a firefighter died trying to save him, a fire department official said Tuesday.

Autopsies were planned in hopes of learning what killed Anthony Ruggiero, 48, and John Kelly, 51, in a sewer system manhole, village administrator Michael Blau said. Tarrytown is 24 miles north of New York City.

Blau said Ruggiero, who was with the Department of Public Works, was checking a report of a sewer backup and Kelly, a volunteer firefighter, was assisting him. The manhole was behind a fire station.

Ruggiero collapsed in the manhole and Kelly went down to help him but also collapsed, Mayor Drew Fixell said. It took 15 to 20 minutes to get them out. They were pronounced dead at Westchester Medical Center

3 died in 1985 in Radcliff Ky in a underground pumping station. From then to now there is no telling how many have lost their lives in the same situations. When will it come to light that ALL underground structures are to be monitored for ALL air situations (low O2, methane, H2SO and so forth)?

[fieldseng2]

Thoughts and prayers to the families of the fallen.



I wasnt there, and I dont have any details so I wont critisize anyone involved, but here is some friendly info/advice for all of you who may respond to an incident like this...



60% of all confined space fatalities are WOULD BE RESCUERS!!!


If you don't have the proper training, if you don't have the proper PPE, monitoring equipment, ventilation, etc.....DO NOT ENTER A CONFINED SPACE!

If you don't have the proper training, if you don't have the proper PPE, monitoring equipment, ventilation, etc.....DO NOT ENTER A CONFINED SPACE!

If you don't have the proper training, if you don't have the proper PPE, monitoring equipment, ventilation, etc.....DO NOT ENTER A CONFINED SPACE!

(YES...I repeated it on purpose!!!)

I won't rob this thread any more other than saying confined spaces have MANY potential hazards!!! A "container" does not have to be below grade to be labled as a confined space. I've dealt with many a confined space that was well above grade level.

Just because you don't see danger doesnt mean its not there, especially in confined spaces.

[LaFireEducator]

Classic risk v. benefit where often we develop tunnel vision and feel the obligation to do something, often without the training and equipment.

Until we make it known that this is 100% unacceptable 100% of the time, it will continue.

This scenario could have been a water rescue, an ice rescue, a trench rescue, or a fire with the good Samaritan firefighter making entry without gear, a hoseline and/or an SCBA.

Until everyone in the fire service understands that we are the priority 100% of the time, we will continue to lose brothers in this fashion.

[islandfire03]

A sewer manhole behind a fire station :::: Of course there was toxic gas in there!

[FyredUp]

A sewer manhole behind a fire station :::: Of course there was toxic gas in there!

Seriously, a Firefighter and a DPW worker are DEAD and you find humor in the situation. Really? PATHETIC, simply pathetic.

[islandfire03]

So you would rather hear that two trained professionals broke all the rules and forgot all their training about confined space entry and died because of it ???

Stupid is as stupid does

[Jasper 45]

So you would rather hear that two trained professionals broke all the rules and forgot all their training about confined space entry and died because of it ???

Stupid is as stupid does

The fact that you continue to defend your "humor" is even more stupid and pathetic.

My deepest sympathies to the families of the men involved.

[FyredUp]

So you would rather hear that two trained professionals broke all the rules and forgot all their training about confined space entry and died because of it ???

Stupid is as stupid does

No, I would rather, if you are really this ignorant and classless, that you just shut the hell up and go away. The fire service has a lot of humorous moments but the death of one of our own and a victim is hardly an appropriate place for humor.

Yes, it is true stupid is as stupid does and your 2 posts in this topic are epic examples of that.

[ChiefKN]

This is the LODD that always scares me the most, because it could happen at the slowest firehouse and at the department that hasn't had a worker in 3 years. Everyone has confined spaces...

Please be motivated by this tragedy to host a confined space awareness class at your firehouse. Its required if you ever intend to operate in one. I know it is required in NJ.

http://www.state.nj.us/dca/dfs/memocert.htm

Confined Space Training: Departments with the potential for confined space work must have initial training required by and must meet NJAC 12:100-9. Initial training and refresher training no set hours. Must cover topics in 29 CFR 1910.146. Refresher training when procedures or confined spaces change. US Department of Labor. http://www.osha.gov/index.html


Sincerest condolences to those involved.

[Dickey]

Very sad.

Thoughts and prayers go out to their families.





islandfire03.....

There is a time and place for everything. Making jokes about a death of anyone, especially a firefighter, is no place for jokes, or the defense of making a joke. Tacky and disrespectful at best. This is not typical of you so I am surprised at this comment. Show some respect and just keep quiet and move on.

[mtg55]

Well said Ken. I've seen some firehouses that have confined spaces IN them. They are everywhere. Be careful, Be safe. My condolences to all involved.

[tomj1743]

a preventable tragedy

industrial scientific in oakdale, pa makes portable gas detection meters and fixed point gas detection systems.
I dont doubt that a portable gas detector was available or at least had been brought to the attention of this town.
Maybe some stupid secretary hung up on the salesperson who called to tell them about it.
DPW and the FD need portable gas detectors for exactly these situations.
Also, i cant believe that the FF jumped into the hole without portable air after seeing the DPW worker collapse.
PS - I dont work for ind sci but I found them thru google as anybody else could.
My deepest condolences to all those family and friends who are suffering from these terrible losses.

[mtg55]

industrial scientific in oakdale, pa makes portable gas detection meters and fixed point gas detection systems.
I dont doubt that a portable gas detector was available or at least had been brought to the attention of this town.
Maybe some stupid secretary hung up on the salesperson who called to tell them about it.
DPW and the FD need portable gas detectors for exactly these situations.
Also, i cant believe that the FF jumped into the hole without portable air after seeing the DPW worker collapse.
PS - I dont work for ind sci but I found them thru google as anybody else could.
My deepest condolences to all those family and friends who are suffering from these terrible losses.

Um, wait. What? Tom rank and years in please, I'm really hoping this isn't a shameless plug....

[CaptOldTimer]

From what I read no SCBA or supplied type of breathing apparatus was used. In these day, that should have been a number one priority.

There isn't any place in this thread for humor. as if you do this job long enough it will affect you or your department!

We lost two members, a Captain and Fireman back in June 1963 trying to rescue 2 city workers in an open hole in the street, which they were working in. Overcome from methane gas. Back then all the engine companies had was the All Service Mask. By the time the truck company arrived, which had 2 scotts, the members had tried in vain to affect the rescue.