There are a couple of active lawsuits related to Firefighter LODDs. The latest, filed last week, is related to the double LODD in Porterville, California.
(Report and Radio Traffic Links Below)
The families of those two fallen California Firefighters are suing several makers of life-saving equipment for negligence, alleging the defective devices caused their loved ones’ deaths during a 2020 fire that destroyed the city’s library. Porterville Capt. Ramon “Ray” Figueroa, 35, and firefighter Patrick Jones, 25, died in the Line of Duty on Feb. 18, 2020 after trying to rescue what they thought was a disabled woman trapped on the second floor of the burning library.
Lawyer Browne Greene said the two Porterville firefighters entered the burning building that day with the expectation that the safety equipment they strapped on would protect them. Tragically, it didn’t, he said. Named in the lawsuit are Scott Technologies (also known as Scott Safety), 3M Company, MES, Municipal Emergency Services and Allstar Fire Equipment. They are being sued for alleged negligence, wrongful death and strict product liability design defect.
According to the lawsuit, the firefighter’s breathing equipment stopped working soon after they entered the building. “It was supposed to last 40 minutes,” Greene said. “It lasted about 12 minutes.” A multi-agency report (SEE BELOW) on the fire confirmed there were problems with a lack of breathable air. Also failing was the personal alert safety system (PASS) that gives out an audible alarm and flashing light to help rescuers find firefighters in distress.
OTHER LAWSUITS NOTED Greene alleged Friday that the manufacturers of the life-saving equipment were aware of the sudden failure of their devices prior to Feb. 18, 2020. The companies were sued before in Texas, New York and Philadelphia for similar issues. The lawsuit alleges the hoses were made of substandard materials and production methods in manufacturing the SCBA hoses, and lacked adequate heat resistance.
RADIO TRAFFIC FROM THE PORTERVILLE LIBRARY FIRE:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St_GSbftcjA
REPORT FROM THE PORTERVILLE LIBRARY FIRE:https://cms9files.revize.com/PortervilleCA/departments/Fire/PFD-SART-Report.pdf
Read more at: https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article258545568.html#storylink=cpy
