Springs Fire Fall 2013

On May 4, 2013 at approximately 1955 hours a Fire Captain from the City of Anaheim (CA) Fire Department was assigned as a Fire Line EMT (FEMT) on Division “H” of the Springs Fire in the city of Camarillo in Ventura County. Engine crews were mopping up fire in a drainage and dry creek bed. The Fireline EMT recognized that he was working below the operation; he made the decision to move to a safer area above the operation. While climbing up the bank, the firefighter began to slip in the duff layer. He reached out and grabbed a root from the tree. The root broke under the weight of the FEMT causing him to slide approximately 10 feet down the bank on his hands and feet, facing the bank. When he reached the bottom of the bank he was off balance and fell striking his head on a rock. The FEMT was transported to the local trauma center and evaluated. He was admitted to the hospital for observation and released approximately 36 hours after the accident.