Firemen's deaths blamed on human error

16 May 2016 - 08:42 By KATHARINE CHILD

Failure to follow the set protocol, and to use their respirators, led to the deaths of two Johannesburg firemen, according to the city. The two - Daniel Zwane and Michael Letsosa - died in the blaze at the Nedbank Mall in the city centre in May last year.An investigation was launched to determine why the firemen died and whether they had the equipment they needed to fight the fire.Sello Lemao, member of the mayoral committee for public safety, yesterday released summaries of three internal reports into the deaths.The investigation revealed that an on-site commander had not been appointed to direct operations at the blaze.The reports also found that the mall's safety systems, including the fire sprinkler and fan, were not working, and that live electric cables were exposed.Lemao said the lack of a command structure at the fire scene "created some challenges".It is not known why Zwane and Letsosa did not wear their breathing equipment, which would have beeped loudly when they collapsed, enabling their colleagues to find them quickly.The reports revealed that thermal imagining cameras, which could detect the source of the fire, were initially not used, and that the correct radio-control procedures were not established with a command centre.The City of Johannesburg said allegations of faulty equipment could not be verified."That proves the city had done what it was supposed to: ensure the safety [of its firefighters]," it said.Firefighters have had more training on the use of breathing equipment and the procedures to be followed at a fire scene.Lemao said internal disciplinary procedures were under way to try to identify who was to blame for failing to appoint a commander to ensure that standard operating protocols were followed...

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