Philadelphia

What Went Wrong in Death of Philadelphia Firefighter Joyce Craig?

Reports describe how firefighter died; oxygen hose burned

Officials say a Philadelphia firefighter died more than two years ago because a hose supplying her with oxygen had burned through, and they found problems with how her colleagues responded to her seven emergency distress signals.

The fire department and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health released reports Monday about the December 2014 death of 37-year-old Lt. Joyce Craig.

Craig was killed while battling a wind-whipped house fire at 1655 Middleton Street. 

The city's report says indirect causes of her death include lack of situational awareness, inadequate communications, poor strategy and tactics and an uncoordinated rescue effort.

Fallen Firefighter Farewell

The federal study says a failure to quickly deploy an intervention team contributed to her death.

Craig was the first female firefighter from the Department to die in the line of duty. 

"Joyce Craig's death was devastating to her family and to the Department," Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel said. "We hope the lessons learned from these reports will prevent such tragedies in the future."

The department says it's made changes as a result. The fire commissioner plans to speak about the incident on Tuesday.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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