Sunday, October 9, 2011 A freak accident resulted in a Bradley County Firefighter being flown to the Erlanger Medical Center Trauma Unit this morning. It happened during a routine equipment maintenance exercise on the department’s fire hoses.
BCFR Chief Dewey Woody explained that just before 10 am firefighters laid the hoses out in the Maytag parking lot on 3rd street in Cleveland. When the hoses were put under pressure one of the metal couplings used to connect the hoses together, failed and disintegrated. Part of the coupling struck the firefighter in the forehead.
“The firefighter was wearing his safety helmet and safety goggles which no doubt prevented an even more serious injury” Chief Woody said. Woody went on to explain that this is why the department conducts annual equipment maintenance checks. We must be sure it will not fail when an emergency arises. “Unfortunately, this failure resulted in a firefighter being injured.”
Bradley County EMS personnel, who were already on the scene, administered first aid. Erlanger’s Life Fore Helicopter was then called due to the type of injury.
Chief Woody said the name of the fireman is not being released at this time pending notification of all family members. The fireman is listed in stable condition in the Erlanger Trauma unit.
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