NIOSH Releases Report on Baltimore LODD 

December 17, 2008 – The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has released its investigation report on the February 9, 2007, line-of-duty death of Baltimore City fire recruit and Baltimore Local 734 member Rachael Wilson. The Baltimore City Fire Department was charged with "intentionally" and "knowingly" violating safety rules resulting in "a substantial probability [of] death or serious physical harm" during the live fire training exercise that killed Wilson.

In June of 2007, after a five-month investigation, the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, cited the department for 33 safety violations and singled out two fire commanders for the haphazard planning and execution of the live burn that claimed her life and injured two others in a vacant Baltimore row house.

NIOSH is now making numerous recommendations addressing command, training needs, training standards and personal protective clothing and equipment.

In addition, NIOSH recommends that fire departments ensure that all recruits meet the candidate requirements of NFPA 1582 Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments. Further, NIOSH advises that fire departments utilize the IAFF/IAFC Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness/Fitness Initiative to assist in building and maintaining fit and healthy fire fighters. Further, NIOSH advises that fire departments use the IAFF/IAFC Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness/Fitness Initiative to assist in building and maintaining fit and healthy fire fighters.

And, for the first time, NIOSH is recommending that fire departments adopt the IAFF/IAFC Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) program to ensure that all recruits are physically able to safely and effectively complete the critical tasks associated with fire fighting.

Click here to read or download the report.