ID-NPF-Steep Corner, Firefighter Fatality

[CaptVacation]

wow... never easy, fellow firefighters and families, we still have lots of fire this year, remember to step out and take a break, we should be learning from this and always remember those who gave their lives to protect others.

[abercrombie]

My deep condolences to all who knew and loved Anne.

[stringtown]

Found this article about Anne today. A sad time for this community as they mourn the loss of a young woman with so much ahead of her.

http://missoulian.com/news/state-and...a4bcf887a.html

[abercrombie]

US Forest Service: 72 Hour Report (17 K pdf) Text below.


File Code: 6730 Date: August 13, 2012

Route To:

Subject: 72 Hour Preliminary Report, Serious Accident Investigation, Steep Corner Fire Firefighter Fatality, Nez Pierce/Clearwater NF

To: Lenise Lago, DASHO

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Location: Nez Perce/Clearwater National Forest Service, North Fork Ranger District

Date and time of occurrence: August 12, 2012, 1300

Team leader: G. Sam Foster

Mission: Steep Corner Fire Suppression

Number of fatalities: One

Narrative:

A Forest Service firefighter from the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest was fatally injured
on the Steep Corner Fire near Orofino, Idaho. The firefighter was hit by a falling tree while
working on a section of the fire. The fire was burning in heavily timbered, steep canyon country
on private and National Forest lands.

Clearwater Potlatch Timber Protective Association (CPTPA), located in Orofino, Idaho, was
managing the suppression response. CPTPA is a local cooperative initial attack association
responsible for fire suppression in this area. The Forest Service was cooperatively assisting in
suppression of the fire.

A National Forest Service Accident Investigation Team is in place conducting a review to learn
from the events leading up to this accident.


/s/ George S. Foster
GEORGE S. FOSTER
SAI Team Leader

cc: Tim Lynn

[abercrombie]

SAFENET described the Flathead Hotshot experiences and refusal the day before Anne was struck and killed - 8/11/12 and filed 8/14/12:

from

http://safenet.nifc.gov/safenet


This SAFENET report is being reported on in the media.
We believe in Just Culture and fostering a learning culture...
Please make no comments on this as this incident is an open investigation. This is simply for information.

Be safe!

Ab.

[abercrombie]

In loving Memory of Anne Veseth:

Facebook page

[abercrombie]

OSHA has issued its findings, issued citations and fines against Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association (CPTPA), the organization that was managing the fire and issued a Notice of Unsafe or Unhealthful Working Conditions against the Forest Service.

Ann Veseth's Always Remember page

[abercrombie]

from vfd cap'n:

Re: Steep Corner Fire

Ab,

In addition to the SafeNet report by the Flathead Hotshots, there were aviation issues reported in SafeCom, as noted on page 36 of the Steep Corner investigation report:

“Air‐to‐ground communications, target descriptions and general use of aircraft were not in accordance with what pilots used to working on federal wildland fires would expect. This led to high stress levels for some pilots working the fire and resulted in a SAFECOM being filed by the manager of a heavy helicopter on August 11.”

As for the Human Factors Analysis, I agree that pay structure can be a disincentive to firefighter safety. The advantage for a national resource like a hotshot crew is that they’re pretty sure to get sent to another fire if they disengage/turn down an assignment. But a federal engine on a district might not get another dispatch – and the chance for hazard pay/overtime – if they continue to turn down a local assignment.

It’s worth remembering that Steve Uptegrove was the USFS firefighter killed in 2009 for which OSHA gave the Forest Service the repeat violation in the citation for Anne Veseth’s death. http://wlfalwaysremember.org/inciden...uptegrove.html

vfd cap’n