Fresno firefighters who responded to a house blaze where Capt. Pete Dern fell through a roof and was severely burned failed to properly access the fire’s dangers, reflecting a Fire Department in which personnel are “picking and choosing” which procedures to follow, an investigative report released Tuesday says.
The 274-page investigative report on the March 29, 2015 fire in central Fresno makes sweeping recommendations for Fresno Fire Department.
Dern was engulfed in flames for more than 90 seconds. He suffered second- and third-degree burns on around 70 percent of his body. The incident and his long rehabilitation received national attention. Dern spent 164 days in the burn unit at Community Regional Medical Center.
In April, Fire Chief Kerri Donis assembled a Serious Accident Review Team team and authorized them to investigate the circumstances of the fire and Dern’s injuries.
The recommendations issued by the team cover everything from adhering to rules on personal protective gear to altering the fire department’s culture of safety.
The eight-member SART team was made up of current and retired fire officials from the Kern County Fire Department, the Modesto Fire Department, the Los Angeles Fire Department, and other agencies.