Cut & pasted from WZEP1460.com
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Walton Fire Rescue Looks Into Truck With No Water
Bill May, C Shift Walton Fire Rescue Battalion Chief investigated an incident at the Mossy Head station where a report came a fire truck responded with no water in it’s tank. May’s investigation showed that on August 6, Engine 11 responded to a structural response call. May says he received a call later in the day from Volunteer Richard Mason stating that Engine 11 did not have water in the tank when the crew responded to the call.
During his investigation, May says he made contact with 3 of the 4 personnel involved, Lt. Lusk, Roach, and Pippin. May said each reported basically the same information.
The Engine had been sent for repair and was being returned that morning. Lt. Lusk had called for Medic 11 to assist with moving equipment from the reserve Engine back to the primary unit. Prescott drove the unit to Station 11 (Highway 90 West) and was to return with the reserve Engine to Station 4. During the swap of equipment, Lt. Lusk found a note to the pump engage lever that she read (and was later verified by H. Roach) “New water in tank”. Lt. Lusk later found the meaning of the note to be “needs water in tank” not there was water in the tank. May says the note had been written in a hurry by maintenance person working on the CAFS when the unit was leaving after repair.
The Engine 11 crew (Lt. Lusk, H. Roach) stated that after taking about an hour swapping the equipment in the midday heat, they had gone into the station for something to drink and to cool down. They were inside approximately 15 minutes when the call was received for the structural response.
May says Medic 11 had arrived on scene first, making contact with the resident who stated he had the fire out. Medic 11 crew (G. Pippin, J. Lovell) packed out and entered the residence to verify the extinguishment of the fire. All other responding units were cancelled.
In his conclusion, May says:
- After a repair, whether major or minor, the repair should be checked for operational proficiency prior to placing a unit or piece of equipment back in service.
- All components of a vehicle that ensure it to be operational should be checked prior to placing that vehicle in service.
- Lt. Lusk stated she accepts full responsibility for this incident. He says he disagrees, Holding all personnel involved responsible to varying degrees.
The Battalion Chief says he counseled with the 3 primary personnel involved in reference to the conclusions."
