2003 04/03 OH Richard Long

Incident Name:
Date: 4/3/2003
Personnel: Richard A Long
Age: 56
Agency/Organization: Gallipolis Volunteer Fire Department, Gallipolis OH
Position: firefighter

Summary: Firefighter Long and the members of his department were dispatched to the report of a brush fire. Firefighter Long drove the first piece of fire apparatus to respond, a 2001 commercial chassis pumper/tanker with a 1,250 gallon water tank. He was followed by another firefighter in a brush truck. Firefighter Long was alone in the pumper/tanker. As the pumper/tanker rounded a left-hand curve, the right wheels of the apparatus left the paved surface of the road. Firefighter Long steered to the left, the back end of the apparatus came around, the truck rolled over 1 time and came to rest on its right side. Firefighters responding in the brush truck came upon the crash and rushed to the aid of Firefighter Long. He was trapped in the wreckage but was able to talk to the firefighters. They recited a prayer together and Firefighter Long lost consciousness and died. Firefighter Long was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death was listed as compressive asphyxia. Firefighter Long was not wearing his seatbelt. Unsafe speed was cited as a contributing factor in the crash.

Maps

Gallipolis Volunteer Fire Department, 2018 Chestnut Street, Gallipolis, Ohio 4563

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Reports, Documentation, Lessons Learned

NIOSH Report: Volunteer Fire Fighter Dies in Tanker Rollover – OhioNIOSH investigators concluded that, in order to minimize the risk of similar occurrences, fire departments should
- provide training to driver/operators as often as necessary to meet the requirements of NFPA 1451, and incorporate specifics on rollover prevention in standard operating procedures (SOPs)
- develop and enforce SOPs on the mandatory use of seat belts in all emergency vehicles

Vehicle - Richard Long