By GRANT BURNS
April 8, 2008, was the worst day of my career as well as the worst day in my department’s history. At 0612 hours on a cool, rainy morning, the Colerain Township (Cincinnati, Ohio) Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services Engine 102 and other units were dispatched to a smoke alarm activation by the alarm company. As per our response guidelines, two engines, one ladder, and a battalion chief initially responded. While responding, units were updated that the homeowner phoned dispatch of a working fire in his home’s basement. The alarm assignment was updated to a full structure fire response, which sent to the scene two additional engines, a second ladder company, a rescue company, a medic unit, and a rapid assistance team.
On arrival, the officer of the first-arriving engine confirmed a working fire. The crew stretched a 1¾-inch attack line through the interior stairwell to the basement and the seat of the fire when a flashover occurred and the crew retreated to the first level. As they retreated, the floor failed; Captain Robin Broxterman and Firefighter Brian Schira fell into the basement, and they became entrapped. Subsequently, the officer and the firefighter perished in the basement.
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