The Contra Costa County (Calif.) Fire Protection District has released an initial Investigation Report on the Michele Drive incident in which two firefighters–Captain Matthew Burton and Engineer Scott Desmond–were killed while making a rescue attempt at a residential structure fire in San Pablo on July 21, 2007.
In the report, Fire Chief Keith Richter says, “This report represents the first step in what will be a long process of critical importance to the operational welfare of our department. The next step will be to establish a committee to review, evaluate and prioritize the important recommendations contained in this report. Our challenge will then be to effectively implement changes in policies, procedures, staffing, response, training and interagency coordination and cooperation designed to improve our fireground operations.”
The report further states: “While there is nothing we can do that will change the outcome of that fateful night, we can and must make a solemn pledge to learn the lessons from this tragedy, and to then implement and support changes that are necessary to help prevent a future tragedy. By doing so, we honor Matt and Scott’s courage, dedication and sacrifice; we help keep them in our hearts by working safely and caring for each other every day; we strive to ensure their deaths will not be in vain.”
The full report is available at www.cccfpd.org/LODD.html.
