There is little in the fire service literature or research about the Incident Commander’s (IC) role in the immediate decisions and longer-term aftereffects of a line of duty death (LODD).  There is little emphasis on the techniques an IC can use to develop the necessary skills before a tragic or overwhelming ‘impossible’ event.

In clear and unemotional language, Dr. Denis Onieal will present the circumstances that led to a LODD at a fire that he commanded, the decisions he made and the subsequent reports and legal actions.  The firefighter’s 16-year-old son witnessed the entire event. 

He will conclude with a series of lessons-learned to help fire officers prepare for these and other ‘impossible’ events.  The most valuable part of the presentation will be the discussion on what fire officers can do to prepare to lead / manage / decide at overwhelming events.