Complaint 1835979

Complaint Summary

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owner Narrative

While working at the scene of a residential structure fire, the Pierce aerial ladder was extended with three firefighters on the platform conducting ventilation operations. During the operation fire conditions rapidly changed engulfing the platform in fire. A crew member on the platform engaged the control pulling it down to raise the aerial device and the aerial slammed into roof of the residential structure, the aerial device lowering instead of raising. This increased the intensity of the fire and created warning alarms to go off on the CommandZone screen including collision avoidance and temperature warning. A firefighter on the turntable seeing what was happening raised the aerial device utilizing the controls on the turntable. Fearing for their lives, one firefighter jumped off the platform to an adjoining roof and the other two firefighter descended down the aerial ladder. Two firefighters received 1st degree burns and one firefighter received 2nd degree burns to his scalp. The platform of the aerial device sustained significant heat damage as depicted in the attached photos. This vehicle was part of NHSTA recall 19V-022, Pierce’s recall number is 74B295. Pierce states the recall was completed on this vehicle on April 4, 2019. At this time we are waiting on Pierce Manufacturing to provide further direction on repairs.

Owner-submitted narrative on file with NHTSA. Complaint narratives are self-reported and have not been verified.