The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has released its report on the deaths of two Colerain Township firefighters.
Just after 6 a.m. on Friday, April 4, 2008 firefighters from the Colerain Township Fire Department were called to a house fire on Squirrelsnest Lane. Working to help the residents inside, crews lost communication with two of their fellow firefighters, who had not made it out.
Fire Captain Robin Broxterman, 37, and firefighter Brian Schira, 29, were killed in the line of duty in the basement of the home.
The report does not find the department negligent, but is does make suggestions for improvements.
One suggestion is to improve the department's radio communications, and to ensure that fire fighters are sufficiently trained in survival skills.
The report says, "Key contributing factors identified in this investigation included that the initial 360-degree size-up was incomplete, likely disorientation of victims effecting key survival skills, radio communication problems, well-involved basement fire before the department’s arrival, and potential fire growth from natural gas utilities."
Read the complete report by
clicking here.
