Video: Live burn injures 4 firefighters, chief placed on leave
NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Video shows a botched live-fire training drill that injured four firefighters and led to the suspension of the North Las Vegas fire chief.
Footage from three different cameras recorded radio calls and expletives from witnesses as two....Continue Reading
veteran firefighters bailed out.
As flames intensify in the video, two fuel sources spontaneously ignite and blow the plywood windows off the training building.
A report reveals a lack of communication, no evacuation plan and a "disjointed" briefing before the live drill. It also describes confusion around the chain of command and how many firefighters were actually in the building ,according to MyNews3.
Two of the four firefighters hurt in the incident suffered serious injuries. City officials suspended Chief Al Gillespie last week following an investigation into January's live burn.
"As fire chief he understands his role and responsibility for all aspects of that department and he doesn't take that lightly," says City Manager Tim Hacker. "To make sure that there was the appropriate level of communication and cooperation and in essence, I'm concerned with oversight."
Hacker called the botched training an "isolated incident."
The City of Las Vegas has since called off an agreement to train with North Las Vegas.
Hacker told MyNews3 he expected to make a decision on Chief Gillespie in the coming weeks.
