Emergency Traffic

In October of 2000, Newark fire crews responded to a working chimney/structure fire in a single family home. Several factors such as minimal staffing, communications, building construction and wind, impacted firefighting efforts resulting in burn injuries to several FF's and an assistant Chief. This was a close thing to avoid LODD. Please join me, Doug and Denys to learn more about this incident.

During an introductory rope rescue training class, a firefighter fell off a rope during clean up after the training, falling less than 10 feet and succumbed to fatal injuries. PPE, Instructor to student ratios and lack of a safety officer were all factors in this tragic training incident. Please join us to learn more about this LODD.

In October of 2023, Baltimore firefighters responded to a working fire at an occupied row house. While firefighters entered the first floor, fire from the burning back porch extended into the first floor living area trapping two firefighters in a rapidly growing fire, overwhelming the crew resulting in a rescue and subsequent fatal injuries, due in part to the failure of the PPE and "older" SCBA they were wearing. Please join us to learn more.

In September of 2001, two firefighters were assigned the role of "victims" during a live fire training evolution, in an acquired structure. Tragically one died and two others were injured, due in part to actions taken and lack of preparedness for the training drill. Please join us to learn about this preventable LODD.

In September 2025, Dekalb Cnty. GA Firefighters responded to a local warehouse for reports of a fire from neighbours. Upon arrival, crews found a working fire in a warehouse converted to a film studio. Challenging fire conditions, wind, water supplies and many other issues contributed to the LODD of a firefighter that became separated and disoriented during the firefight. Please join us to learn about this tragic incident.

In August 2011 Dallas TX firefighters responded to a fire in a local apartment building. During the firefight, working to extinguish fire extension into the large attic, a ventilation crew firefighter fell through the roof decking. Please join Dennis, Denys and I to learn more about this tragic incident to honour and learn more about this LODD.

During an August evening in 2014, the New Carlisle IN Fire Department responded to a nearby Septic and landscaping company just outside of town. They discovered a storage building with offices on fire. During the defensive firefight, an Assistant Chief was killed and another FF injured when the building collapsed. Please join us to listen and learn about this incident that could happen almost anywhere.

On July 28, 2011 Asheville, NC fire department was called for a fire at a 6 story local medical practice building, this building had been the subject of dozens of false alarms in the previous 30days..During the firefight on the top floor, a captain died in the line of duty and nine other firefighters were injured. Please join Doug, Denys and I to learn more about this tragic fire and how to potentially prevent this occurrence in your community.

In July of 2023 two Newark NJ firefighters died during a protracted firefight on a Ship in the port of Newark. This fire was in a complex unfamiliar environment for the un prepared shore based firefighters, which resulted in these deaths and the eventual abandonment of the ship, to be extinguished days later by a marine firefighting company. Please join us as we review and discuss this tragic incident, it is a fascinating story.

Wow, episode 100 of the Emergency Traffic Podcast! Thank you everyone for listening to us review and discuss these Line Of Duty Deaths to honour the dead by learning from these tragedies'. The Chernobyl Firefighters, as a result of the initial firefighting efforts in April 1986, most of the them died from radiation injuries within a month. This is their story.

Please join Denys and me as we discuss this significant LODD incident, they responded as firefighters, and while aware they were heading for almost certain death, they did their duty.