Investigation into Lake Valley Fire Captain injury completed

A Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) Captain who was injured when he fell off a fire truck is home recovering and the investigation into his accident has concluded.

On August 27, 2017 at approximately 3:11 p.m., Lake Valley Fire Engine 7 was returning to the South Shore after responding to a traffic collision near Strawberry. As the truck with its occupants began an incline on Highway 50 around a curve between Twin Bridges and Camp Sacramento, the captain began to remove his turncoat. In order to fully remove it, he disconnected his seat belt and headset.

As the fire truck made the turn, the passenger door opened and the fire captain was ejected onto the shoulder of the highway.

The fire engine came to a stop and the driver asked dispatched for a medic and air ambulance. The other vehicles that had responded to the Strawberry collision, a LVF medic and Cal Fire truck, were right behind Engine 7 and stopped to assist. They transported the downed firefighter to a helicopter landing zone and transported him to Renown Medical Center in Reno.

The unnamed fire captain suffered a concussion and injuries to his face, hands and face. He has since been released from the hospital.

As is standard procedure, the Lake Valley Fire Board, Cal OSHA and Chief Tim Alameda were advised of the accident by the battalion chief on duty. The battalion chief then went to the hospital to see the injured captain.

"They did all the things they had to do, focusing on a hurt person and starting the investigation," said Chief Alameda.

Alameda said all agencies were contacted to share the findings of the accident. Immediately a Blue Sheet was started. This is procedure within the first 12 hours of an accident to start and log findings of an investigation. The Green Sheet, a final summary which is non-punitive to encourage everyone to speak on a matter, is typically completed within 72 hours of an accident. Cal Fire assisted in the investigation.

"We hope our experience may prevent a similar accident in the future," said Chief Alameda. "The District cannot publicly comment on personnel issues or about confidential personnel information.

The investigation is now over.

The required investigation into the accident and testing of numerous scenarios have determined it is likely the captain's coat got caught the on the door handle as he removed it. All safety systems on the engine were found to be working.

"We try to find cause and not to find blame," said Alameda of the investigation. "We want to make sure it doesn't happen any more. The guys did a really good job in setting up the investigation and being transparent."

Alameda said other agencies have called him and complemented LVFPD on their handling of the incident.

He said the corrective action, if any, is confidential and between himself and the captain and is not public information, as with all personnel and HPPA matters. Alameda said they have followed all procedures and state law.