A firefighter who wants you to learn from his mistakes

Six-year-ago today things weren’t looking very good for Danny McGown, a young Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department firefighter. Today, on the anniversary of the day he almost lost his life, McGown, a little older and a little wiser, posted a message on his Facebook page for all firefighters. Danny gave me permission to share the post. The radio traffic from the house fire is at the bottom of this post.

Previous coverage of the fire that injured Danny McGown

6 years ago, today, i woke up in a hospital bed, intubated and my arms in restraints with my father telling me to keep calm. I knew i had gotten burned, had a slight idea of how bad, but nothing could compare to the reality of it from my thoughts. As everyone came to visit, it began sinking in. On that morning, we were dispatched for smoke in the dwelling.

Typical Prince George’s County run. However this one was not. While en-route, PSC advised of they were getting reports of an auto next to the house. We arrived to find the same. As we were stretching, the bar man (katie johnson) asked family in the front yard if everyone was out. They advised yes. She looked at me n said “I’m gonna do a quick sweep at the door.”. Around 15 seconds later, she told me it was in the house. At that time our wagon driver (scotty hurst) was charging the line.

We made entry. To this day i still swear i saw flames at the top of the 2nd floor stair well. As we made progress down the hallway, i was cracking the line to ensure we were not to deep as it was zero visibility and increasing heat. After the first open in the hallway, I hollered back to katie “this line isn’t doing s***!” As when i opened it the bail flopped over my hand. It was later determined that was just prior to the wagon driver flipping a kink on the attack line. After that pressure was perfect. As we made it to the end of the hallway, the ceiling fell. Sending a few hot embers down my back (due to me not having my collar up).

As i wiggled around to stop my back from burning, i managed to turn myself into the kitchen. That is the point in which i first screwed up. I thought i was still in the hallway. Once in the position, the heat intensified. Still with absolutely zero visibility, it continued to get hotter and hotter. This is the second screw up. At that point we should of backed out. But “salty fireman” took over and “this is my fire, no one else’s” did not help either. As i sat there on my knees, turning my head back and fourth to dullen (thats a word now) the burn, i thought to my self “were in trouble”.

It was right then that my scott air cylinder got extremely hot to the point in which it was burning my throat. I knew it was time to go then. I hollered to my back up man”it’s time to go”. He did not hear me. I said it again and at that point, fight or flight took over (3rd mistake). I abandoned my position to seek “refuge” from what i was told, away from the hell we were in. Katie saw pre-flashover conditions prior to me leaving.

The actual burn line was in line with the top of my cylinder and and below where my head was at. As i retreated down what i thought was the hallway to the front door, was actually later found out to be another, smoke and slight heat filled room. The infamous fireplace that replicated the front of a home is the first thing in came in contact to (to my right) as i remembered the was a wall to the left of the front door. Had there been another wall to my right in the room i was now in, i would of probably never assumed it was the font as that font door layout was still fresh in my mind. But since i did think it was the front, i looked at my 2 flashlights, which i could not see.

So i assumed my mask is completely blacked out, and i am outside. Once i took my regulator off, i found out else wise. As i take that first hit of smoke, which should of been fresh air, i panicked. Re-clicking never crossed my mind nor did kissing the floor or making a radio transmission (mistake number 4). Just get out did. So i yelled for help, took another breath in, yelled for help again, then began pushing my self into the wall hoping to fall into another room, or out of a window. Once outside, i came back. Having no clue of what they just had to do. I did not have my waist strap on 5th mistake), so the quick rescue that was made, was delayed by them having to find my strap to turn it into a seat. Once i. The unit, things became much better.

Especially since i was so alert it didn’t seem that bad. Then i saw the look on the medics faces. My post from 2013 will explain that. I was asked by someone if the heat in my air cause the panic. The answer was no. Still hasn’t because i have experienced it in the past many times. But it is now my new indicator for when conditions are getting worse. If i had my flaps down, i believe it may have been worse, but that’s just my opinion. Always keep in mind the gear we wear now, allows us to go deeper and longer with no initial effect.

Then boom, its too late. Always follow your ears, air and gut feelings of when conditions are deteriorating around you. Keep in mind the construction of new homes. Light weight means burns quicker and easier. Always remember your basics. It could save your life. Always train like your life depends on it, because it does.

And i hate band wagon sayings, but this one is true, “always expect fire”. The day you dont, is the day you screw up. I have seen it to many times, smells n bells, no layout, no scott pack, tools, coats open, no lines pulled and no hoods. You friends, are setting your selfs up for failure. The day you run the same place for bells and it is a fire, your already behind the ball. Please feel free to share. Hopefully my screw ups will help prevent someones else’s.