FireDOC Search

Author
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Title
Confined Space Rescue on <i>S.S. Gem State</i>, November 19, 1990, Tacoma, WA. Technical Rescue Incident Report.
Coporate
U.S. Fire Administration, Washington, DC
Report
Technical Rescue Incident Report
1991
13 p.
Distribution
AVAILABLE FROM: U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), 16825 South Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, MD 21727. Telephone: 301-447-1000. Website: http://www.usfa.fema.gov
Contract
EMW-94-C-4436
Keywords
rescue | rescue operations | emergency plans | carbon monoxide
Abstract
At 10:47 a.m. on November 19, 1990, the Tacoma Fire Department received a call to assist in the rescue of a victim who was unconscious from unknown circumstanceson board the S.S. Gem State. This ship was an ocean-going freighter undergoing repairs at the Port of Tacoma. The victim was a civilian employee who had been working in the lower decks of the ship. During the ensuing operations several firefighters were overcome by high levels of carbon monoxide, and were transported to the hospital. After an investigation by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, the Tacoma Fire Department was cited for four "serious" violations. This report is an account of the initial response, search and rescue operations, the subsequent investigation, and the lessons learned by the Tacoma Fire Department.