Dallas Fire-Rescue Department Investigation Report

Firefighter Fatality William S. Tanksley

Fatality at Roadway Incident

6300 Patriot Parkway @ Interstate-20, Dallas, Tx 75236

February 10, 2014

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Dallas Fire-Rescue Investigation Report

Firefighter Fatality William S. Tanksley

Fatality at Roadway Incident

6300 Patriot Parkway @ Interstate-20, Dallas, TX 75236

February 10, 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction.. 2

Background.. 2

Fire Rescue Officer William Scott Tanksleys

Activities on Monday, February 10, 2014.. 3

Emergency Response Activities... 4

Dallas Police Department Traffic Accident Investigative Report... 16

FRO Tanksleys Personal Protective Equipment 16

Cause of Death. 17

Dallas County Grand Jury Decision 17

Event Timeline.. 18

Tanksley Fatality Investigation Apparatus Roster

for Monday, February 10, 2014.... 20

References. 21

Appendices. 22

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Dallas Fire-Rescue Investigation Report

Firefighter Fatality William S. Tanksley

Fatality at Roadway Incident

6300 Patriot Parkway @ Interstate-20, Dallas, TX 75236

February 10, 2014

Introduction

On Monday, February 10, 2014, Engine 12 responded to a motor vehicle collision at 20:10 on

northbound Spur 408, (which is also known as Patriot Parkway), above Interstate 20 (I-20) and

where Clark Road transitions to become Spur 408. At this junction where northbound Clark

Road transitions to become Spur 408, the roadway is elevated and the bridge spans I-20.

Weather included cloudy conditions with light precipitation and fog throughout the day while

temperatures dropped below freezing during evening hours. The temperature recorded at 11:59

p.m. was 30 degrees F. Average wind speed for the day was 14.8 mph with a highest gust speed

of 29 mph as recorded by the National Weather Service on February 10, 2014. During the time

of dispatch to the incident where FRO Tanksley perished, the City of Dallas 9-1-1 call center and

the Dallas Fire Dispatch Center (Fire Dispatch) were handling a large multitude of calls related

to motor vehicle accidents on elevated road surfaces in Dallas with many concentrated in the

southern part of the city. Between 19:00 and 21:00, Dallas Fire-Rescue Departments (DFR)

Fire Dispatch handled 155 calls and the City of Dallas 9-1-1 Call Center handled approximately

650 calls during this time. Several callers reported multiple vehicle accidents in the area of Spur

408 and I-20. In addition to Engine 12, fire units dispatched to Spur 408 over I-20 also included,

Truck 33 along with Engine 50 and Rescue 50 during the initial calls placed to report accidents

at this elevated section of Spur 408. During on scene firefighter response activities, Fire-Rescue

Officer (FRO) William Scott Tanksley, a 14-year member of DFR responded on Engine 12 and

was struck by a vehicle while assisting a stranded motorist. The impact caused FRO Tanksley to

be knocked from the Spur 408 Bridge above I-20 and he fell approximately 56 feet onto a lower

flyover bridge providing vehicular access onto eastbound I-20 from southbound Spur 408. As a

result of the fall, FRO Tanksley succumbed to his injuries.

Background

Roadway Features

The location where FRO William Scott Tanksley perished includes the junction of I-20 and Spur

408. Motorists traveling east or westbound on Interstate 20 may travel northbound on Spur 408

by utilizing ramps at the interchange (Appendix A). Motorists traveling eastbound on I-20 may

also opt to exit onto a ramp for travel southbound on Clark Road where Spur 408 terminates to

transition into the thoroughfare. Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) maintains three

cameras in the immediate vicinity of the junction of these roadways, but video footage is not

archived. Spur 408, officially designated as Patriot Parkway, is a four-mile (6 km) connecting

freeway between Loop 12 and Interstate 20. The interchange is also in an area of southwestern

Dallas that has generally been undeveloped, but which has recently experienced some residential

growth and other development. An aerial view of the junction of I-20 and Spur 408 reveals

roadway lighting in various areas. On December 12, 2007, the Dallas City Council and TXDOT

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entered into an agreement to install lighting at I-20 and Spur 408 at a cost of $2.5 million. The

need for lighting at this location was partially attributed to an increase in accidents and the need

to enhance motorist safety. The existence of warning lights to indicate ice conditions on the

bridges and overpasses was not observed by DFRs fatality investigate team members in the

areas surrounding the fatality. The reflective diamond shaped signage exists on the north and

southbound approach to elevated portions of Spur 408 over I-20 with the warning Watch for Ice

on Bridge. (Appendix B) Additionally, a prominent overhead sign with flashing amber lights

cautions motorists approaching from the north as they travel on southbound Spur 408 to reduce

speed as the road transitions to become Clark Road. (Appendix C) Spur 408 is also reduced from

3 to 2 lanes at the split between the Spur 408 and the exit ramp for travel east or westbound on I-

20. Speed limits drop from 60 mph on Spur 408 to 40 mph on the bridge and along the Clark

Road thoroughfare.

Interviews conducted with crewmembers from Fire Station #12 included recounts of knowledge

that when temperatures drop below freezing, the Spur 408 Bridge over Interstate 20 is one of the

first surfaces to freeze within their first alarm response district. Fire Station #12 was opened

February 3, 1983, and was intended to serve a portion of southwest Dallas that was sparsely

developed at the time with anticipation of future potential growth. (Appendix D) Due to the

proximity of Fire Station #12 to southern neighboring city, Duncanville, an Automatic

Assistance Agreement exists whereby both city fire departments provide public safety to the area

where Firefighter Tanksley perished. As a result of continued growth in southwestern Dallas,

DFR planned for and constructed Fire Station #50 which opened for operations on Friday, May

18, 2012. Actual response times for units assigned to the incident(s) associated with FRO

Tanksleys death included the following: Engine 12 (6 minutes 30 seconds), Truck 33 (14

minutes 23 seconds), Rescue 50 (7 minutes 14 seconds), and Engine 50 got en route at 20:11 but

the Mobile Data Computer (MDC) did not capture the on-scene arrival time. Some of these units

were in an on air status during dispatch. Additional Fire, EMS and police units were

dispatched as a consequence of callers reporting via 9-1-1 call that a firefighter had been injured

at the junction of I-20 and Spur 408.

Fire Rescue Officer William Scott Tanksleys Activities on Monday, February 10, 2014

Fire Rescue Officer William Scott Tanksley, 40 years old, began his career with DFR on April

26, 1999, and was a 14 year veteran of the department when he passed. During his career, he

served the department as a firefighter/paramedic at various fire stations with his last assignment

being Engine 12-B shift. Fire Station #12 is a single company fire station with Engine 12 housed

at the facility along with a reserve rescue unit (Rescue 12). In Dallas, a rescue unit is a mobile

intensive care unit which is staffed by 2 firefighter/paramedic members. Station 12 is located at

7520 W. Wheatland Road, Dallas, Texas 75249. FRO Tanksley was riding in the #4 spot behind

his officer during the shift he perished. Staffing on Engine 12 during this shift included the

regularly assigned officer, driver engineer and fire rescue officer riding in the #3 spot.

After reporting to work, FRO Tanksley checked his equipment and engaged in normal fire

station cleanup activities. He also responded to six emergencies with his crew during the shift in

advance of the incident that claimed his life. The majority of the calls included medical

emergencies where Tanksley rendered medical assistance and performed other ancillary duties.

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Interviews with Rescue 52s crew also revealed that FRO Tanksley had actively participated in a

paramedic continuing education (CE) module delivered at fire station 52 earlier during the shift.

Rescue 52s crew members observed that FRO Tanksley actively engaged other paramedics as

well as the instructor during the CE module. Rescue 52s crew also observed later during the

shift (18:13) after the paramedic CE module that FRO Tanksley was actively engaged with on-

scene emergency incident activities during a joint response between Rescue 52 and Engine 12.

The incident involved a motor vehicle collision (MVC) located at an intersection in close

proximity to Fire Station 12 (Clark Road and W. Camp Wisdom Road). This MVC included

neighborhood thoroughfares and Rescue 52s crew shared they did not notice icy road conditions

that would have contributed to the accident.

Nonetheless, precipitation was prevalent throughout the shift and dropping temperatures in the

evening would become a precursor to multiple reports from 9-1-1 system users calling to advise

of accidents on bridges and overpasses throughout the City of Dallas. Many of these calls would

include reports of multiple vehicle accidents on the Spur 408 Bridge over I-20 as well as the

transitional area where southbound Spur 408 becomes Clark Road. At 8:10 p.m., Engine 12 was

dispatched to a report of an MVC on the northbound Spur 408 Bridge over I-20 along with

Rescue 26. During the same time, Truck 33 and Engine 50 were also dispatched to the same

bridge location as a result of multiple 9-1-1 calls placed to report MVCs in the vicinity. Rescue

50 was also added soon after the initial fire fleet unit assignments. DFR dispatchers reported that

some of the 9-1-1 callers were confused as to their location or direction of travel during the time

they were calling to report MVC related details.

Emergency Response Activities

Response Units

Engine 12 Officer-

At 20:10, Engine 12 was dispatched to a report of an MVC on northbound Spur 408 at I-20 along

with Rescue 26. Prior to the dispatch, the officer on Engine 12 mentioned that station alerting

speakers had opened up to announce the icing conditions on bridges and overpasses throughout

Dallas. Engine 12 immediately responded to the scene with caution and upon making the

approach to their destination, Engine 12s officer shared that he noticed 4 or 5 cars stranded or

stalled on the southbound side of Clark Road. Subsequent interviews included accounts that

these cars had careened across the southbound Spur 408 Bridge and struck the concrete barrier

walls as the drivers attempted to navigate the icy roadway. Some of the motorists also exited

eastbound I-20 to proceed onto southbound Clark Road. Engine 12s officer also observed a

southbound sport utility vehicle strike the steel guardrail that divided the road at the terminal

portion of the bridge for continued travel on Clark Road. (Appendix E)

After witnessing these events, Engine 12s officer observed that 2 cars were on the northbound

Spur 408 Bridge over I-20 at a distance of 150-200 feet in front of where he ordered his driver to

stage the engine to block access onto the bridge. Additionally, where Engine 12 staged to block

access onto the bridge, a car was turned sideways in front of the engine. Engine 12s driver

checked on this motorist who was removed from his vehicle and assisted by safely guiding him

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back onto southbound Clark Road after medical treatment was refused. Engine 12s officer

shared that he immediately called fire dispatch to report ice conditions on the bridge and placed

an order for sand to be brought to the scene as well as public safety resources to shut down

northbound Spur 408 at Clark Road. A few minutes after ordering the shutdown of northbound

Spur 408, Engine 12s officer called dispatch to request police assistance to shut down

southbound Clark Road over I-20. Engine 12s #3 Firefighter was ordered to place flares behind

Engine 12 to enhance visibility of the unit since it was located in a stretch of Clark Road that

curved significantly. During the time that Engine 12s officer was communicating the request

for resources to fire dispatch, FRO Tanksley exited the engine after informing that he was going

to check the condition of the motorists in the stalled vehicles located on the northbound Spur 408

Bridge. After his initial communication with fire dispatch, Engine 12s officer asked FRO

Tanksley via radio if the motorists were in need of medical attention and Tanksley reported that

such assistance was not needed. Upon completing the task of placing flares behind Engine 12,

the officer ordered his #3 Firefighter to join FRO Tanksley on the bridge to see if he needed any

assistance. During this time, Engine 50 had arrived and informed the officer on Engine 12 via

radio that Truck 33 would not be needed on scene. (Engine 50, Truck 33 and Rescue 50 had also

been dispatched shortly after Engine 12.) Engine 12s officer stated that he disregarded Truck

33, but that the unit remained on scene because Engine 12 was blocking access onto northbound

Spur 408. Truck 33 had been dispatched to block traffic for Engine 12 at the incident. Engine

12s officer was then contacted by fire dispatch to ask if he could confirm a missing firefighter

on location. The officer immediately began the radio roll call procedure for units on scene. He

received a personal accountability report (PAR) for Engine 50 and Truck 33 but after confirming

the whereabouts of his Driver Engineer and #3 Firefighter, he was unable to confirm FRO

Tanksleys safety via radio. Fire Dispatch communicated with Engine 12s officer and requested

that he call the communications center via cellular phone call. After doing so, Engine 12s

officer informed the dispatch center that he could not account for FRO Tanksley. Shortly after

the phone call was placed, Engine 12s officer witnessed Dallas Police Department (DPD)

uniformed officers running northbound on the grassy median splitting Clark Road. He also

witnessed Rescue 50 moving in the direction where he witnessed first responders running to the

aid of FRO Tanksley who had been found on the flyover ramp (Appendix E & F) from

southbound spur 408 to proceed eastbound on I-20. Rescue 50 traveled up the ramp against the

flow of traffic and the driver of the medical unit had made his approach to the ramp by driving

on a service vehicle path down the embankment from Clark Road toward I-20. (Appendices E &

F) Engine 12s officer recounted that upon arriving to FRO Tanksleys location, he witnessed

several firefighters flip his body onto a backboard since he was face down upon landing on the

roadway. Immediately thereafter, firefighters began medical interventions including

cardiopulmonary resuscitation as Tanksley was loaded onto Rescue 50 for transport. After these

actions and observations, Engine 12s officer shared that he and his other crewmembers cleared

the scene and returned to their home fire station.

Engine 12 Driver Engineer-

Engine 12s driver informed that he drove Engine 12 to the incident. Due to the fact that

multiple callers were calling to report various vehicle collisions, the vehicle MDC was being

updated with various comments. Initially, their incident indicated a handful of cars involved and

this was bumped up to 10 cars as they were en route. The drivers observations also included

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that several cars were on the southbound side of Clark Road in an area where they would have

come off of the Spur 408 Bridge. It was misting during the time he drove to the scene and as he

got nearer, he noticed street lights illuminating the approach to the northbound Spur 408 Bridge.

However, areas of the bridge were very dark but he could see two vehicles stranded on it. One

vehicle was stranded on the concrete outside shoulder wall and the other was located in the

middle of the road. He then positioned Engine 12 to block access onto the bridge and

communicated with his officer of the need to shut down the north and southbound bridges from

vehicular access. FRO Tanksley exited to check on the two cars stranded on the northbound

Spur 408 Bridge over I-20. The Driver then focused his efforts on assisting a private vehicle

motorist that had spun out and was positioned across Clark Road. The driver of the vehicle

stated that he had come across the median until his vehicle came to rest. During this time,

Engine 12s driver witnessed an out of control SUV come across the southbound Spur 408

bridge and strike the dividing guardrail (Appendix G) which caused the vehicle to shift onto two

tires before returning to its normal position. During this time, he and the motorist he was

assisting shifted away from the moving hazard. Engine 12s driver mentioned that the SUV

driver was shook up but refused medical treatment and left the scene. Engine 12s driver then

witnessed Engine and Rescue 50 come across the southbound Spur 408 Bridge and the

firefighters were checking on motorists that were stranded on southbound Clark Road. After the

out of control SUV had struck the guardrail, Engine 12s driver does not recall any other cars

coming across the bridge and he assumed that access onto the bridge had been blocked further

north of his location. Shortly after these observations, Truck 33 got on location and Fire

Dispatch called on the radio to ask Engine 12 if they were aware of a missing firefighter at their

location. Soon after this radioed information request, a police officer rapped on the engine

door and stated that there was a man down in the middle of I-20. PARs were being called for

during this time and multiple efforts to confirm FRO Tanksleys safety were unsuccessful.

Immediately thereafter, Engine 12s driver witnessed a wave of police officers, firefighters and

paramedics scrambling down the embankment toward I-20 from their elevated position on Clark

Road. He recalls quite a bit of radio talk and reports of 9-1-1 callers providing information about

an injured firefighter. Engine 12s firefighter could view first responders shining flashlights onto

I-20s road surface and the surrounding grass areas with no success. Subsequently, he looked up

at the flyover ramp for eastbound travel onto I-20 from southbound 408 and witnessed two

motorists who had exited their vehicles. After establishing vocal communication, the motorists

informed Engine 12s driver that they had an injured firefighter located in front of their vehicles.

Immediately, Engine 12s driver scrambled up to the flyover ramp by traveling laterally and

east on the grass embankment until he encountered the flyover ramp. Upon reaching FRO

Tanksley, he observed that he was face down and confirmed to the investigation panel that he

was the first firefighter to reach him. After being asked, Engine 12s driver confirmed that he

had silenced the remote Personal Alert Safety System (PASS) device which was emitting the

audible alarm. This alarm had also been heard in the background by dispatchers who took a

civilians 9-1-1 call as the caller was reporting the injured firefighter. Engine 12s driver was

able to reach the PASS device with his hand although FRO Tanksley was found face down. He

then held cervical spine immobilization on FRO Tanksley as other firefighters were approaching

him from opposite directions on the ramp. Upon arrival, Engine 12s driver informed the

firefighters to roll FRO Tanksleys body so that CPR could be administered since he was

originally found face down on the pavement. During the time of placement of FRO Tanksley on

his back, Engine 12s driver observed facial trauma. Shortly thereafter, Rescue 50 arrived to

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provide continued medical intervention and transport. FRO Tanksleys bunker coat buttons were

unfastened for medical assistance. Engine 12s driver expressed disbelief that the accident had

happened and a few days later recalled a news account covering one of the motorists who had

been stranded on the southbound Spur 408 Bridge during the time of FRO Tanksleys accident.

The news interview included the motorist expressing that FRO Tanksley had helped him and that

another motorist traveling southbound had lost control of his vehicle on the icy bridge and struck

Tanksley. Engine 12s driver also shared that he remembers Rescue 50 loading FRO Tanksley

and transporting him to Methodist Central hospital and that the unit left the scene with a police

unit escort traveling against the normal flow of traffic. Traffic was backed up on the ramp and

turning the Rescue around on the ramp would have proven difficult.

Engine 12s Firefighter #3 Position-

Engine 12s #3 Firefighter reported some of the same observations as his officer. He recalls that

Engine 12s MDC comments included a message that 9 or 10 cars were involved in their

accident. Several updates were being made on the MDC due to multiple callers reporting

accidents in the Spur 408 and I-20 exchange. As he was completing the task of setting flares

behind Engine 12, Firefighter #3 remembers hearing a loud crashing noise. He immediately

called out via handheld radio to find out what the noise was and he heard FRO Tanksleys radio

reply that cars were on the Spur 408 Bridge ping ponging off of the concrete wall. Firefighter

#3 then went to seek FRO Tanksley to see if he could be of assistance. While on the northbound

side of the Spur 408 Bridge where he assumed Tanksley to be, Engine 12 Firefighter #3

witnessed the officer from Truck 33 and one of his crewmembers checking on the motorists who

appeared to be fine. Firefighter #3 walked past Truck 33s crew and after not encountering FRO

Tanksley, he doubled back and met up with Truck 33s officer who had found a radio on the

roadway. The officer asked Engine 12 Firefighter #3 if he knew who the radio belonged to and

his response was that he was not sure. Shortly thereafter, Engine 12s Firefighter #3 recalls

hearing a call for a PAR and he immediately began looking for signs of FRO Tanksley. He also

heard a radio report of a firefighter having fallen off the bridge and recalls darkness in the area of

the bridge where he was located. Firefighter #3 also shared that he remembered radio

communication that included a civilians account of finding the injured firefighter. Immediately

after FRO Tanksley was found, Firefighter #3 returned to Engine 12 where he grabbed the

medical kit and cardiac monitor/defibrillator (LifePak) so that he could take it to Tanksleys

location. He also recalls that several firefighters that were closer to FRO Tanksley quickly got to

him and that Rescue 50 was also quickly relocated onto the ramp where Tanksleys body came to

rest. Firefighter #3 also recalled that the bridge was very slick due to ice accumulation. During

the time that he had been on the bridge, Firefighter #3 also remembers cars stranded on the

southbound Spur 408 Bridge.

Truck 33 Officer -

The officer on Truck 33 was interviewed on February 13, 2014 and provided the following

account. Truck 33 exited Cedar Ridge from westbound I-20 to make their approach to the scene

where their vehicle would stage behind Engine 12 which was already on location. Initially, they

were disregarded by Engine 12 but he decided to remain on scene because the northbound Spur

408 Bridge over I-20 was blocked by Engine 12. He remembers seeing a white SUV stalled on

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the bridge and he also witnessed what he believed to be a white Tahoe careening and crashing

against the dividing steel guardrail as it traveled southbound onto Clark Road from the Spur 408

Bridge. Truck 33s officer decided to walk up northbound Clark Road to the bridge over I-20

along with his crew to check on the stranded motorists and to place warning flares on the

southbound side to slow traffic coming across the bridge and onto Clark Road. He was

accompanied by two crew members. On the bridge, the stranded motorist in the white SUV

declined medical assistance but it appeared that the axle on the vehicle was broken. Along with

Truck 33 Firefighter #3, they escorted the stranded motorist to her waiting husband by walking

her to the end of the bridge and onto Clark Road. Firefighter #4 on Truck 33 continued north on

the northbound side of the bridge and placed flares on the southbound side along the inside

shoulder to throttle down the speed of approaching motorists. Truck 33s officer recalls hearing

a loud crash and the subsequent stoppage of vehicles that had been traveling on the southbound

side of the bridge. Next, he found a DFR portable radio on the pavement and visually inspected

it. The officer encountered Engine 12s #3 Firefighter approaching him on the bridge from the

north and he asked if he had lost a radio. At this time, there was still no confirmed report of a

missing firefighter but the officer noticed more emphatic messages on the radio. Soon thereafter,

the officer heard reports that a civilian had found a firefighter who was not breathing and

requests for company PARs were being conducted. The officer immediately confirmed the

safety of his crewmembers while he and other firefighters on the bridge began searching for the

missing firefighter. During the time that the search was being conducted on the bridge, a

stranded motorist on the southbound side of the bridge called out to Truck 33s officer and asked

is the firefighter Ok? The officer did not fully understand what was being asked during this

time since he was focused on locating the missing firefighter. Next, the radio messages started

becoming more emphatic as he and other firefighters continued their search on the bridge by

inspecting all areas including the undercarriage of vehicles. After the search on the bridge,

Truck 33s officer peered over the southbound Spur 408 Bridge outside shoulder barrier wall and

located a firefighter lying on the flyover ramp below. Immediately thereafter, the officer got on

his portable radio to communicate the location of the injured firefighter. To confirm the

firefighters location, Truck 33s officer yelled to two civilian bystanders below his position who

were standing askew of the injured firefighter. The civilians confirmed their direction of travel

before arriving at the injured firefighters location.

Truck 33s officer immediately ordered a Rescue unit to reposition at the location of the injured

firefighter. Truck 33s #3 Firefighter communicated on the radio that he had made it down to the

I-20 roadway along with a police officer and found a pair of firefighter boots. Next, Truck 33s

officer repositioned a fire fleet unit in an area that would serve as a helicopter landing zone. The

unit would be used to illuminate the area and serve as a beacon for the helicopter crew. The

helicopter request was denied due to weather conditions that prohibited flight operations. During

the interview, Truck 33s officer shared that he heard a loud crash during the time he was

assisting the stranded motorist in the white SUV walk from her vehicle toward Clark Road where

her husband was waiting. He crossed the concrete Jersey barrier wall splitting the bridge after

ascertaining that the southbound traffic had come to a standstill. After locating the injured

firefighter, Truck 33s officer ordered his #4 Firefighter to take the medical kit to the fallen

firefighters location. After these events, Truck 33s officer proceeded north on the bridge for a

face to face discussion with the Battalion Chief from Battalion #6.

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Truck 33 #3 Firefighter

Initially, Firefighter #3 recalls that his unit was disregarded but Truck 33 remained on scene.

During the time he was on scene, he accompanied his officer onto the bridge so they could assist

motorists stranded on the bridge. While on scene, he also remembers hearing his officer

mentioning that he had located a blood stained radio on the bridge. Firefighter #3 traveled north

of the area where vehicles had become stranded on the southbound side of the Spur 408 Bridge

so that he could place flares on the southbound side to slow traffic. While he was traversing the

bridge, he noticed 4 or 5 vehicles stranded on the southbound bridge and he also witnessed some

vehicles hitting the side walls as they traveled. Specifically, he recalls seeing a white Cadillac

that was not drivable along with a dark colored Dodge vehicle. After FRO Tanksley was located,

he and his officer were trying to ascertain the most expedient manner to arrive at the injured

firefighters location. He also remembers that the Driver Engineer on Truck 33 and #4

Firefighter ran to assist FRO Tanksley once he was found. He also recalled that his officer

relocated a fire fleet unit to illuminate an area that would serve as a landing spot for the

requested helicopter. Sometime after Truck 33 had been on scene, Firefighter #3 also shared that

he repositioned the truck since private vehicles were still attempting to get past emergency

vehicles. Finally, he shared that he recalls very treacherous footing on the Spur 408 Bridge

during his time on that span of roadway.

Truck 33 #4 Firefighter

Truck 33s #4 Firefighter is a Driver Engineer who is assigned to the Rescue unit at Fire Station

#33 and who was riding the #4 position behind the officer on Truck 33 during the shift of FRO

Tanksleys fatality. He remembers that as they were making their approach to northbound Clark

Road at Spur 408, Engine 50s personnel were on the southbound Clark Road side checking on

motorists that were stopped. During the initial moments that Truck 33 arrived, Firefighter #4

witnessed an SUV type vehicle come off the southbound Spur 408 Bridge and strike the dividing

guardrail. The officer on Truck 33 decided to investigate if any help would be needed on scene.

Together with Truck 33s officer and #3 Firefighter, he accompanied them to the bridge on

northbound Spur 408. Upon reaching one of the stalled motorists on the bridge, they were asked

by the female inside the stranded vehicle if she could be escorted down the bridge to meet up

with her husband who was waiting for her. Firefighter #4 walked the female motorists toward

her husband as she had requested. As they were approaching Clark Road, Firefighter #4

witnessed two DPD officers running on the east side shoulder of Clark Road and yelling that a

firefighter had fallen from the bridge. He immediately joined the police officers and ran on the

embankment east of the Spur 408 Bridge and toward I-20. As he approached I-20, he was joined

by other firefighters as they crossed eastbound I-20 toward the grassy median. Once at the

median, they crossed a concrete dividing wall and immediately thereafter, he located FRO

Tanksleys firefighting boots. While he was standing in this area, he and Engine 50s acting

officer communicated with motorists on the flyover ramp for travel from southbound Spur 408 to

eastbound I-20. The motorists on the ramp had exited their cars on the ramp and yelled to

Firefighter #4 and other firefighters down below on I-20 that FRO Tanksley was in front of their

vehicle(s). Immediately, Firefighter #4 and the other firefighters ran across the westbound I-20

lanes and toward the embankment leading to the flyover ramp where they ran onto to it and

toward FRO Tanksleys position. While he was running on the ramp, Firefighter #4 noticed that

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a few cars were creeping by but he thinks that Truck 33s Driver took control of the scene by

stopping vehicular travel on the ramp. Firefighter #4 observed that FRO Tanksley was in bad

physical condition upon reaching him. He along with a firefighter from Engine 50 took turns

doing CPR on FRO Tanksley. FRO Tanksley was found face down and he remembers that his

coat was open toward the bottom but his top buttons had to be released to allow for better

medical management. Soon after beginning medical assistance, Rescue 50 arrived on the ramp

and FRO Tanksley was loaded for transport. Firefighter #4 drove Rescue 50 to Methodist

Central while the two FPs assigned to Rescue 50 and a crewmember from Engine 50 continued

FRO Tanksleys medical treatment in the back module. Firefighter #4 was joined in the cab of

Rescue 50 by Truck 33s Driver who rode as the passenger. Firefighter #4 informed that this

proved beneficial because the Driver from Truck 33 assisted with radio/phone communication

and navigation during the trip to Methodist Hospital. En route to the hospital, he noticed that

some of the over passes were slick due to icing.

Rescue 50s Crew (Mobile Intensive Care Unit)

Rescue 50 Firefighter/Paramedic #1

Firefighter/Paramedic (FP) #1 shared that he was driving Rescue 50 when the call for assistance

to northbound Clark Road at I-20 had come in via radio dispatch. On his approach to the scene,

he saw 2 or 3 stranded vehicles on southbound 408 over I-20 but that the driving traction was fair

since he was driving slowly and commensurate with the road conditions. He also observed

several cars at the end of Spur 408 where it transitions to Clark Road. Along with crewmembers

from Engine 50, they checked on motorists that were stalled or stopped on southbound Clark

Road south of the Spur 408 Bridge. All of the motorists indicated that no injuries were sustained

and Engine 50 had been positioned adjacent to the vehicles during this time. He also observed

Truck 33 parked on northbound Clark Road and positioned to block continued travel. Next, he

parked Rescue 50 behind Engine 12 and exited. During this time, he walked northbound on the

Spur 408 Bridge with Engine 12s #3 Firefighter. He recalls that the footing on the bridge was

very suspect due to icing. Next, he returned to Rescue 50 when the Fire Dispatch Center

requested that Rescue 50 members call the center via cell phone. During the conversation, he

was asked by the dispatcher if he had knowledge of an injured firefighter at their location.

Immediately thereafter, he witnessed Engine 50s personnel running in the direction of where

they thought the fallen firefighter might be located and he also heard on scene radio requests for

PARs. Next, FP #1 called Rescue 26s crew via radio to suggest how they should strategically

approach the area so their vehicle could reach the fallen firefighter once he was located. Once

FRO Tanksleys exact location was identified, FP #1 mentioned that FP #2 on Rescue 50 took

control of the vehicle since FP#2 had scouted the path that needed to be taken to arrive safely. At

the termination point of the service vehicle path (Appendix H & I), FP #2 drove onto the flyover

ramp where FRO Tanksley had come to rest. Rescue 50 was maneuvered against the normal

flow of traffic since no vehicles were coming down the ramp and since traffic had also stopped at

Tanksleys location. Upon reaching FRO Tanksley, FP #1 observed 3 or 4 firefighters

performing CPR on him. He remembers that Engine 50s #2 Firefighter was performing chest

compressions while he took over airway management. During this time, interosseous (A needle

used to penetrate the tibial/shin bone for intravenous access) access had been achieved for

needed medical interventions. Additionally, he cut FRO Tanksleys shirt off and at the hospital,

the remaining bunker gear was removed. During transport to the hospital he was in the back

11

assisting with Tanksleys medical care along with Rescue 50s FP #2 and Engine 50s #2

firefighter.

Rescue 50 Firefighter/Paramedic #2

Upon being dispatched to southbound Spur 408 at I-20, Rescue 50s #2 FP, recounted that they

had been busy and had been dispatched to several calls in a short window of time. Their rescue

unit was away from the station and in an on air status during the incident assignment. Their

unit was southbound on Spur 408 and upon traveling across the Spur 408 Bridge to Clark Road,

he noticed that Engine 12 was staged and blocking traffic across northbound Clark Road to

prevent access onto the bridge. Engine 50 staged on the southbound side of Clark Road and their

crew was checking on motorists that were stranded in the roadway. He also saw that Truck 33

arrived on location. Shortly after arriving on scene, the #2 firefighter on Rescue 50 also shared

that he heard Fire Dispatch ask via radio communication if there was a downed firefighter at

their location. Immediately following this information request, he remembers the PAR radio

requests being conducted by on scene fire officers. Some of Truck 33s crewmembers were seen

running down the embankment toward I-20 since the assumption was that the firefighter would

have fallen onto the freeway and not an intermediate bridge below Spur 408. A few minutes

lapsed and once FRO Tanksley was located, his Rescue 50 partner, FP #1 communicated with

Rescue 26 to provide their crew with some route options to strategically arrive at FRO

Tanksleys location. Additionally, Rescue 50s FP #2 shared that he walked down a service

vehicle path that branched off of southbound Clark Road at the entrance to the Spur 408 Bridge.

After observing that the service road was a potential route option to arrive at FRO Tanksleys

location, he drove Rescue 50 to FRO Tanksleys location on the flyover ramp to eastbound I-20.

Upon arrival at FRO Tanksleys location, FP #2 observed several firefighters from Engine 50

and Truck 33 providing medical treatment and CPR. He also observed that the bunker jacket had

been opened, that bunker pants were intact but that the firefighter boots were missing. FP #2

tried to cut FRO Tanksleys bunker pants to no avail after observing very flat veins on the arms.

One of FRO Tanksleys legs would be used to deliver medical fluids during CPR efforts. Other

physical observations included that FRO Tanksleys left arm appeared broken and that his right

tibia/fibula bones were broken and angulated. As a result of poor upper body venous access, an

interosseous needle was placed in his left lower leg for medical intervention. Facial trauma was

also observed on FRO Tanksley. FP #2 also shared that shortly after loading FRO Tanksley,

they continued medical assistance en route to Methodist Central Hospital. He recalls that road

conditions had not been icy during the afternoon hours and that his rescue unit had been busy

since 3:30 or 4:00 p.m. However, during the initial response to the incident where Tanksley was

injured, he remembers that the Spur 408 Bridge was icing over with Rescue 50 sliding slightly as

they continued to Clark Road.

Engine 40s Crew

Engine 40s crew was interviewed collectively since their involvement with Tanksleys search

and medical intervention was limited. During the time that they were dispatched and while they

were en route to the area where Tanksley was injured, Engine 40s crew shared that the road

conditions had begun to ice over. The #2 Firefighter (Driver) on Engine 40 mentioned that he

noticed some loss of tire traction during the evening. On the tactical channel (12) used at FRO

12

Tanksleys accident, they heard reports on their radios of a downed firefighter. They also heard

an emphatic request for the CareFlight helicopter to be dispatched to the scene. Engine 40s

crew shared that they thought something would be amiss upon arrival when they observed 4

police squad cars parked but unoccupied. Engine 40s officer shared that they received radio

instruction to ensure northbound Clark Road was blocked to prevent travel upstream. It was also

shared by the crew that the lights illuminating the bridges in the area were obscured by the

falling precipitation. Some of the firefighters on scene shared with Engine 40s crew that the

firefighter that had fallen from the bridge was FRO Tanksley. Engine 40s officer also recounted

that upon walking on the Spur 408 Bridge that the elevated portions were very slippery. The

crew also shared that most of the radio traffic on tactical channel 12 had already happened upon

their arrival. After these observations and staging on Clark Road for a short time, Engine 40

cleared the scene and they remained busy making other calls until approximately 1:30 a.m.

Battalion Chief-Battalion 6 and Command Technician

Battalion Chief-Battalion 6

The Battalion Chief from District 6 (BC06) was dispatched to the MVC at Spur 408 northbound

at LBJ Freeway (I-20). Immediately, the battalion chief called the dispatch center to ascertain

details related to his dispatch. He was informed by the dispatch center that they were being

dispatched due to reports of an injured firefighter on scene and that the call center was trying to

sort through the various 9-1-1 calls coming from the scene. BC06 attempted on multiple

occasions to make radio contact with Engine 12 and Truck 33 with no success. He decided to

call the dispatch center for an update and was informed by the Shift Duty Officer that the

dispatch center had received reports from on scene callers reporting that they were with an

injured firefighter. The approach for BC#6 to the scene included a route from westbound I-20

onto northbound Spur 408. He also noticed that Spur 408 was like a parking lot with vehicles

that had come to a standstill. Upon reaching a point that they could cross over to the southbound

side of Spur 408, the Battalion 6 vehicle traveled slowly in a southbound direction. BC06 finally

made radio contact with Truck 33s officer and they spoke briefly about what was happening on

scene. As they continued to navigate on southbound Spur 408, BC06 observed that Rescue 50

was leaving the scene. He then called his field deputy chief for the purpose of discussing what

he knew. During the time of this phone call, BC06 had not determined which firefighter had

been injured. He requested that no names be mentioned on the radio and ordered for Truck 33s

officer to meet him on the northbound side of the Spur 408 Bridge for a face-to-face meeting.

BC06s on scene observations on the bridge area where FRO Tanksley fell included viewing the

driver that struck Tanksley in the back of a police squad car. He documented the scene by taking

multiple photographs on the bridge in the area where FRO Tanksley was struck as well as the

lower flyover ramp where he came to rest. Sometime during these actions, BC06 called the

dispatch center to request that Engine 12 be placed out of service so the crewmembers could

return to quarters where they would be relieved from duty for the remainder of the shift. He also

spoke to the crewmembers from Fire Station #12 after they returned to their quarters out of

concern for their mental and emotional wellbeing.

Battalion 6s Command Technician

13

Battalion 6s command technician shared much of the same information as his battalion chief.

Additionally, he mentioned hearing many calls to dispatch where units across the city were

requesting sand to be placed on bridges for traction due to icing conditions that had developed.

Prior to their dispatch to northbound Spur 408 at I-20, they had cleared the scene of an MVC on

Marvin D. Love Freeway. He also recalls BC06 calling companies via radio to no avail. He also

observed several fire fleet vehicles staged further back from the location where search efforts for

FRO Tanksley were underway. BC06s command technician also remembers that the elevated

portion of Spur 408 on the northbound side was very slippery. He took the same path traveled

by Rescue 50 to arrive at the location where Tanksley had fallen. Upon arrival on the flyover

ramp, BC06 exited the vehicle to photograph the site where Tanksleys body landed.

Rescue 26

Rescue 26s crew was dispatched to Northbound Spur 408 at I-20 to assist with the report of an

injured firefighter. Both crew members had limited information to share which departs from

other witness interviews. The crew members affirmed that Rescue 50s #1 FP provided radio

communication to strategically guide them to an area that might provide enhanced access to FRO

Tanksley once he was located. Subsequently, Rescue 50 was the first medical unit to reach FRO

Tanksley for the purpose of rendering medical assistance. They also shared that the conditions on

bridges and overpasses during the night deteriorated due to icing conditions.

Rescue 52

Rescue 52s crew members were interviewed jointly and discussed that their unit had cleared

from a multiple vehicle collision call on Altoona Drive and were subsequently dispatched to an

MVC at southbound Loop 12 under Illinois Avenue. After arriving and checking with Engine 16

which was dispatched for the same incident, Rescue 52s crew was informed that no one on

scene needed medical attention. They cleared immediately so that they could take the incident

assignment to Spur 408 and I-20 since they had heard reports of an injured firefighter and also

knew that they might be closer than any other rescue units that might be assigned by Fire

Dispatch. Upon traveling southbound on Spur 408, Truck 50 was observed blocking the exit

ramp for travel on westbound I-20. They spoke to Truck 50s driver briefly and soon after also

observed a police department vehicle escorting Rescue 50 from the scene. At the time, they had

not ascertained who was injured. Battalion 6s vehicle pulled up next to Rescue 52 for a brief

discussion and subsequently, the rescue unit cleared the scene. FP #2 shared that earlier during

the shift, FRO Tanksley had attended a paramedic CE module at their fire station. They also saw

him later during the shift around 1800 when Rescue 52 responded along with Engine 12 to an

MVC on neighborhood roads in Fire Station #12s first alarm district. He also remembers BC06

order companies to clear the scene if they were not involved with the Tanksley incident as call

volume continued to increase during the later evening hours.

Truck 50 Officer

The officer riding on Truck 50 was riding up in position and is normally assigned as the officer

on Engine 50. As Truck 50 was backing into station 50, they were dispatched to Spur 408 and I-

20. As he viewed the MDC, he read comments that included information about an injured

14

firefighter. Upon approaching the Kiest Boulevard exit, he heard Battalion 6 calling for Truck

33 and Engine 12 to no avail. Approaching the scene, he also noticed that traffic was very

heavy. Upon approaching the exit ramp for westbound I-20 from Spur 408, he ordered the driver

to block the ramp. In this area, he exited the truck and walked with other crewmembers to the

apex and observed two police officers on foot and using flashlights in a grassy segment closer to

I-20. One of the officers mentioned that the missing firefighter had been located and thus, the

ongoing search was ceased. Because the scene was going to be investigated, the police

department had turned traffic around and forced drivers off the roadway via travel in the opposite

direction. He did see Rescue 50 leave the scene, but because of his vantage point, he could not

see the other fire fleet units on location. After initially blocking the ramp to exit onto westbound

I-20, Truck 50 cleared the scene.

Truck 50 Driver

The Driver on Truck 50 during the shift is an FRO who was riding up in position. He remembers

being dispatched for an unconscious call from the fire station. As they were making their

approach to the junction of Spur 408 and I-20, he recalls Engine 50s officer calling for closure

of all roads in his area and a request for a CareFlight helicopter. He blocked the exit ramp onto

westbound I-20 from southbound Spur 408 as requested by his officer. During the time that they

were on scene, he observed Rescue 26 and Rescue 52 as they too were attempting to assist with

the report of an injured firefighter. He also recalls that the roads were slippery during the time

he drove Truck 50 to the scene.

Engine 50s Crew

Engine 50 Officer

The officer on Engine 50 during the shift of FRO Tanksleys fatality was riding up from his

normal assignment on Truck 50. Engine 50s acting officer informed that Engine 50 was

dispatched to an MVC at northbound Spur 408 at I-20. After Engine 50 crossed the 408 Bridge

at I-20 and arrived at southbound Clark Road, the acting officer noticed that there were multiple

wrecks on the north and southbound side of Clark Road. Once on Clark Road, he and his

crewmembers checked on a handful of stranded motorists on southbound Clark Road and all

motorists seemed to be fine as they were exchanging insurance information. Engine 50s officer

noticed that after he walked away from the motorists, two of his crewmembers were approaching

the Spur 408 Bridge to drop road flares behind the fire engine. As the Engine 50 crewmembers

(#3 and #4 Firefighters) were involved with this task, the acting officer noticed a motorist lose

control of his SUV as he traveled southbound on the bridge and the vehicle struck the dividing

guardrail which connected with the dividing concrete wall on the bridge. Immediately, he

advised his crewmembers to abandon their task of placing flares on the roadway. Soon after, he

heard reports on his handheld radio of a missing firefighter but could not comprehend that

someone could have been hurt at their incident since Engine 12 had the northbound Spur 408

Bridge blocked off. Soon after, a couple of DPD officers came running with arms up and yelling

that a firefighter had fallen off the bridge. He immediately began calling for PARs from other

companies on scene with his radio. All except Engine 12s officer were able to confirm a PAR.

Engine 50s officer and other first responders on scene assumed that the firefighter would have

15

fallen down onto I-20 from the Spur 408 Bridge. Upon reaching the shoulder of eastbound I-20,

he and other first responders crossed over to the median where Truck 33s #4 Firefighter found

FRO Tanksleys firefighting boots. Immediately, he knew that it would be prudent to secure the

area so via radio Engine 50s acting officer requested that Fire Dispatch have all entrance and

exit ramps to their area shut down. Soon after, he looked up at the southbound Spur 408 to

eastbound I-20 flyover ramp and saw a female yelling that the injured firefighter was in front of

her. The female was a motorist that had exited her vehicle after coming upon FRO Tanksleys

position on the ramp. Immediately, Engine 50s acting officer along with other first responders

ran across westbound I-20 lanes from the median and toward the embankment leading to the

flyover ramp. Upon reaching the ramp, they ran toward FRO Tanksleys position and after

observing his physical condition, he ordered a CareFlight helicopter for potential transport from

the scene. He along with the other firefighters at FRO Tanksleys position began rendering

medical assistance including CPR. He was not made aware that CareFlight transport would not

be an option until Rescue 50s paramedics drove the ambulance onto the ramp and informed that

the request for a helicopter had been denied due to weather conditions. After Rescue 50 arrived

on scene, FRO Tanksley was loaded and transported to Methodist Central Hospital.

Engine 50 Driver

The Driver on Engine 50 is an FRO and was riding up in position during the shift. He recounted

some earlier incidents that their company had responded to earlier in the shift. Prior to the

dispatch to Spur 408 and I-20, he remembers that elevated roadways were beginning to ice. He

was refueling the engine when the call for assistance came in. He responded cautiously

southbound on Spur 408 and was being passed by vehicles en route to his destination. He

noticed that the Spur 408 Bridge was icy during his travel. Approaching Clark Road, he noticed

2 cars stalled on the northbound side of the bridge. After arriving on the south side of the bridge

and south of the eastbound I-20 exit ramp for Clark Road, he noticed that a police squad unit was

already on scene checking on stationary motorists. While his crewmembers also exited Engine

50 to check on motorists, he set flares back to the I-20 exit ramp. He witnessed that vehicles

were continuing to exit Spur 408 onto Clark Road but they were moving slower because of the

flares that were being set on the road. After placing his flare line on the road, Engine 50s driver

repositioned the unit between Clark Ridge Road and the I-20 exit ramp. Initially, Rescue 50

pulled beyond Engine 50 to assess motorists that were stationed on Clark Road. He does not

remember any crashing noises coming from the Spur 408 Bridge, but his crewmembers did since

they were standing in closer proximity. Once his crew had climbed back into Engine 50, he

recalls radio messages about a downed firefighter and requests for PARs. One of the police

officers on scene came running toward Engine 50 with arms up and stating that a firefighter had

fallen down below onto I-20. The officer on Engine 50 exited the unit and confirmed a PAR for

his company. The other crewmembers on Engine 50 began their search for the fallen firefighter.

The Driver remained near the engine, but on the east side of Clark Road where he was able to

observe a worn path that had been used by service vehicles. The path led toward the ramp for

travel on eastbound I-20. His officer and one of the crewmembers from Truck 33 had gone

down to I-20 where they found FRO Tanksleys boots. Next, he grabbed a LifePak from one of

engine 12s crew members and together, they proceeded to the ramp where FRO Tanksley had

come to rest. There, he witnessed firefighters administering CPR. After loading Tanksley into

Rescue 50, he rode in the back with the paramedics and provided medical assistance while Truck

16

33s #3 Firefighter drove the unit to Methodist Central Hospital. He also remembers that as a

result of the fall, FRO Tanksley had sustained some obvious physical trauma.

Other Companies/Crewmembers

Various company crewmembers who responded to the roadway incidents related to FRO

Tanksleys fatality were also interviewed by the DFR fatality investigation team, State Fire

Marshals Office and NIOSH (National Institute of Safety and Health) investigators in the days

immediately following the fatality. Some of their oral and written testimony has been excluded

from this report because information provided was in concert with that shared by first responders

playing a key role with activities related to FRO Tanksleys search, rescue and medical

treatment.

Dallas Police Department Traffic Accident Investigative Report

The investigative report covering the site of FRO Tanksleys fatality includes the physical

address of Spur 408 Highway or the 6300 block of Patriot Parkway at I-20. The report narrative

includes an accident description of units 1, 2 and 3. Unit 2 (Appendix J) is described as a

southbound vehicle that had struck the right/inside bridge wall barrier and came to rest adjacent

to the same wall but pointed north towards the normal flow of traffic. Unit 3 is identified in the

report as FRO Tanksley. He was presumed to have crossed the dividing barrier wall based on

other interviews conducted during the internal investigation since no firefighters had witnessed

him walk onto the bridge from the southbound side. During the time that FRO Tanksley was

investigating the condition of the driver in Unit 2, the driver of Unit 1 (Appendix K) was driving

his vehicle across the bridge. As Unit 1 continued its path of travel towards Clark Road, the

driver lost control of his vehicle and as it spun out of control, the rear right portion struck the

front left of Unit 2. FRO Tanksley was in front of stranded Unit 2 and was struck by Unit 1. As

Unit 1 continued forward after striking Tanksley, it carried him forward before he was thrown

off the southbound Spur 408 Bridge and onto the flyover ramp for travel from southbound 408 to

eastbound I-20. The report also included that the bridge was iced over and the distance of FRO

Tanksleys fall was 56 feet.

FRO Tanksleys Personal Protective Equipment

FRO Tanksley was wearing his firefighting bunker coat and pants as well as his bunker boots

during the time he was engaged in on scene response activities. During the time he was struck

and knocked from the Spur 408 Bridge, his firefighting boots came off and were found further

below on the I-20 roadway/median areas by firefighters trying to locate him. His portable radio

was found by Truck 33s officer on the Spur 408 Bridge in the area from which he fell. FRO

Tanksleys flashlight was found in the rear seat of Unit #1 which struck him. His helmet was not

worn during the time he was on the bridge and it was later removed from Engine 12 after his

crewmembers returned to quarters. During the time that his radio was inspected at the Training

Center by the investigative team, it was powered on and determined to be on tactical channel 12.

17

Cause of Death

According to the Dallas County Medical Examiners report, FRO Tanksley died as a result of

blunt force injuries.

Dallas County Grand Jury Decision

Dallas Police Department referred the accident case to the Dallas County Grand Jury. On

Wednesday, July 16, 2014, the grand jury heard the referred case against the driver who struck

William Scott Tanksley with his vehicle. The grand jury returned a no-bill and found

insufficient cause to indict him of any criminal charges.

18

Timeline for FRO William S. Tanksley Firefighter Fatality Investigation

Incident Timeline Time Pertinent Incident Activity

Engine 50, Truck

33 and En 12 en

route to scene 20:10-20:11

Dispatch to MVC involving

multiple vehicles at northbound

Spur 408 at LBJ Freeway (I-20)

Rescue 50 En route 20:12

Initially Rescue 26 was assigned

but swapped

Engine 12 arrives

on location 20:17

Engine 12 arrives and reports a

multi-vehicle accident at their

location and requests NB Clark

over I-20 to be shut down and

orders sand for traction on the

bridge.

Engine 12 requests

shut down of SB

Clark Road over I-

20

20:24 During this time, TR 33 arrives

on scene and FRO Tanksley is

on the Spur 408 Bridge

checking on two stranded

motorists, each in separate

vehicles on the NB side. After

this task, FRO Tanksley crosses

the concrete Jersey barrier and

steps onto the southbound side

of Spur 408

A 911 caller calls to

report a firefighter

down on the

pavement in front

of her. An active

PASS device can be

heard in the

background

20:30 Additional 911 callers contact

the call center to report an

injured firefighter and one of

the callers confirms the bridge

upon which FRO Tanksley had

fallen.

Fire Dispatch calls

Engine 12 and asks

if they have

knowledge of an

injured firefighter.

20:32 Immediately after the inquiry,

Engine 12 and other fire officers

on scene conduct PARs for their

members but Engine 12s

officer is not able to confirm

FRO Tanksleys safety.

Engine 50 requests

from Fire Dispatch

that all entrance and

exit ramps at EB

635 and Spur 408

shut down.

20:42 During this time, firefighters

commence searching for FRO

Tanksley on I-20 and the areas

surrounding the roadway. FRO

Tanksleys firefighting boots

are found during the search in

this area.

19

Firefighters reach

FRO Tanksley and

begin rendering

medical assistance.

20:43 During this time, CareFlight is

requested but unable to respond

due to poor weather conditions.

Engine 50 also requests all

entrance and exit ramps onto I-

20 at Spur 408 shut down.

Approx.

Rescue 50 arrives at

FRO Tanksleys

position

20:45 Firefighters on scene begin

resuscitation efforts after

silencing the FRO Tanksleys

activated PASS device

Rescue 50 is en

route to Methodist

Hospital and arrives

at 2105

20:50 FRO Tanksley is pronounced

dead at 2120 at Methodist

Central Hospital

20

FRO William S. Tanksley Fatality Investigation

Apparatus Roster for Monday, February 10, 2014

Engine 12 Truck 33 Rescue 50

#1 Lt. Charles Bratton #1 Capt. Brent Wise #2 DE Shane Cooper

#2 DE Eriberto Eddie Trevino #2 DE Michael Hamilton #3 FRO Jarrad Burcie

#3 FRO Mathew Little #3 FRO Albert E. Womack

#4 FRO William S. Tanksley #4 DE Ronald Brown

Engine 50 Truck 50 Rescue 26

#1 FRO J. J. Salazar #1 Lt. Gilbert Pena #2 DE James McDade

#2 FRO James Sell #2 FRO Guillermo Luna #3 FRO Tom Brown

#3 FRO Dustin Mobley #3 FRO David Slape

#4 FRO Timothy M. Calderon #4 FRO Jeff Strader

Engine 52 Engine 40 Rescue 33

#1 Capt. Bubby Moore #1 Lt. Nick Ravelo #2 FRO Chris Pace

#2 FRO Charles McMullin #2 FRO Zachary Garibay #3 FRO Jason Tucker

#3 FRO Rodney L. Crawford #3 FRO Hector M. Diaz

#4 FRO Marquis Manuel #4 FRO Javier Sifuentes

Rescue 52 Battalion 6

#2 DE Napoleon Tucker #1 Battalion Chief Nathan Dower

#3 FRO Jeremy Chesnutt #2 DE Brad L. Allen

21

References

December 12, 2007 Dallas City Council Agenda retrieved from http://www.dallascityhall.com/

council_briefings/agendas/agendas/1207/Final_Agenda_12052007.pdf on April 4, 2014.

Fire Station #12 history retrieved from http://www.dallasfirerescue.com/fire_station12.html on

April 1, 2014.

Fire Station #50 history retrieved from http://www.dallasfirerescue.com/fire_station50.html on

April 1, 2014.

Fire Stations Map retrieved from http://www.dallasfirerescue.com/fire_stations.html on April

1, 2014.

Texas State Highway Spur 408 retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas State Highway

Spur 408 on April 10, 2014.

STATION MAP

Appendix D

Fall distance was 56'##

Damaged guardrail

Appendix G