California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Southern Region Operational Area
Intelligence Office

Subject: BREIFING OF E4453 ACCIDENT IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY CAJON PASS

Time/Date of Accident: 17:50 hours on Sunday August 11, 2002

Location of Accident: San Bernardino County, South bound Interstate 15, south of Highway 138, Cajon Pass.

Vehicles involved: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection E4453 model 14 from Tuolumne Calaveras Unit. No other vehicle was involved.

Circumstances of Accident: The Engine was in San Bernardino Unit as part of Strike Team 9440C cover assignment from the West Point Fire Station in Tuolumne Calaveras Unit (TCU). E4453 was traveling southbound Interstate 15, south of Highway 138 in response to a fire assignment in the Lytle Creek area, northeast of San Bernardino City. The engine was reported to have left the roadway, rolling several times down a 60’ embankment off Interstate 15 and coming to a rest on its wheels. San Bernardino County Fire Department responded to the accident. The vehicle was observed by a witness having a front drive line problem.

Injuries: All three fire fighters were transported to Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda. Injuries are listed as serious to critical, and the doctors have labeled the prognosis as good.

Condition Report on Injuries: 
FAE Tim Valadez has possible femur and pelvic fractures, and hypotensive.
FFI Wesley Gissell suffered cuts, contusions, chest pain with possible pulmonary contusion and minor head injury
FFI Justin Andrews suffered cuts, contusions, chest pain, left clavicle fracture and back pain.

Hospital Liaison: BC Jim Rissmiller (BDU)
Accident Investigation Status: 
Team Leader: Steve Sunderland
Meeting: 1100am 8/12/2002
Location: San Bernardino Unit
San Bernardino Unit Chief O’Keefe and Assistant Chief Neff will assist the team. California Highway Patrol is
also conducting a major accident investigation and working with CDF serious accident investigation team.

Strike Team Status: The other members of S/T 9440C were moved to the San Bernardino Hilton Hotel yesterday were critical incident debriefing has started. Other TCU staff on the Pines fire in San Diego were also given a critical incident debriefing by Chief Monsen. 

Family Status: Some of the victim’s family members were transported to the United States Forest Service Air Base Norton in San Bernardino last night (8/12) around 1:00 am by a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection air ship. They were escorted on the trip by Chief Noonan. Other family members will be arriving in San Bernardino around 11:00 am today. They will be met by Chief Candace Gregory and Chief McVay.

Hospital: Loma Linda Medical University in Loma Linda, San Bernardino County.