Advanced Pre-Planning for Complex Properties
This program describes the importance of a comprehensive pre-incident plan for complex or unusual properties.
Lessons from a Line-of-Duty Death in a Basement Fire at an 8400 Sq. Ft. Residence
7005 Woodscape Drive, Clarksville, MD: “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY, Flynn’s In the Basement to the Left!”
Experience the Woodscape Drive LODD Incident
The Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services pulled up to the location of a 911 call from a mansion to find the occupants self-evacuated and the open concept, high ceiling first floor filled with smoke but no visible fire. Thinking that the fire might be below them in the basement, the first-in crew pulled out and re-entered through the walkout basement. Finding only cold smoke, black oily residue, and poor visibility, the crew second-guessed themselves and pulled out again. Where was this fire causing all this smoke? They re-entered the first floor to search again. Seconds later, the nozzle operator fell through the floor into a crawl space, flames shooting through the gaping hole. Losing Lt. Nathan Flynn after a long, desperate search not only led to wide-ranging changes in department SOPs, operations, and training, but also became the thread that, when pulled, unraveled a mystery that linked this fire to another Maryland firefighter line-of-duty death that was so eerily similar, it shocked everyone. What caused this fire and the factors that led to Lt. Flynn’s death hold important, urgent lessons for every department. Click “Experience the Woodscape Drive LODD Incident” to learn from HCDFRS’ experience before you go to the next concealed-space fire.
