Structural Collapse at Dwelling Fire Results in Two Firefighter Fatalities - (Stockton, California - February 6, 1997) » Rescue Efforts Begin Immediately

The rescuers could see one trapped individual under the collapsed second floor and believed it was the E9 firefighter. Using a hydraulic rescue tool and cribbing, the rescuers were able to lift the collapsed floor enough to rescue this individual and discovered that it was the E9 Captain. He was removed at 4:48 a.m., about 10 minutes after the collapse, and transported to the hospital in serious condition, accompanied by the firefighter/paramedic from Support Unit 2.

Another trapped firefighter was located about 11 feet further into the collapsed area. Using a second hydraulic rescue tool and more cribbing, the rescuers were able to create a space of approximately 14 inches under the debris in which to maneuver. Two firefighters crawled under the raised debris and were able to reach the trapped firefighter. They discovered that this victim was the E6 firefighter, who was in respiratory arrest. However, given his confined space location, there was not enough space to perform artificial respiration and additional effort would be required to extricate him.

At 5:11 a.m., Engines 1 and 5 were requested as relief companies. Three minutes later Truck 3 was called to respond with additional cribbing and rescue equipment. The rescue operations were conducted using hydraulic rescue tools, a floor jack and cribbing to lift the heavy collapsed floor sections. Although air bags were available at the scene (carried on Support Unit 2), their use was ruled out because of nails in the debris and the smoldering fire.

Looking deeper into the debris, the rescuers spotted the reflective material on the turnouts of another firefighter. At 5:28 a.m., the Rescue Group Supervisor reported that two firefighters were still trapped in the debris. The firefighter from Engine 6 was removed almost an hour after the collapse at 5:44 a.m. and transported to the hospital, accompanied by the same firefighter/paramedic who had just returned from the hospital.

The third victim was removed at 6:19 a.m. and confirmed to be the E9 firefighter. At this point, the Rescue Group Supervisor advised the Incident Commander that rescue operations had been completed.

Crews leaving the scene were directed to Station 2 to participate in Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, while Engines 3 and 14 were dispatched to the scene to search for the occupant of the home and to continue overhaul. A K-9 team located the body of the occupant in the debris of the collapsed second floor master bedroom, later in the day.

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