UPDATE: AUTOPSY: BLM FF DIED FROM HYPERTHERMIA at TX Fire

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UPDATE: AUTOPSY: FF DIED FROM HYPERTHERMIA

The Bureau of Land Management has advised that a final autopsy report on

23-year old Caleb Hamm of Boise, Idaho, has concluded he died of

" hyperthermia " (uncontrolled overheating of the body).

FF Hamm died in the Line of Duty on July 7 while fighting a fire near

Mineral Wells, Texas. He was a member of the Utah-based Bonneville Interagency

Hotshot crew. The Dallas (Texas) Office of the Medical Examiner's autopsy

report concluded, " Based on the case history and autopsy findings, it is our

opinion that Caleb ael Hamm died as a result of hyperthermia. " The

report was signed by three physicians. Hamm's death is being reviewed by an

Interagency Serious Accident Investigation Team. Reviews are a standard

practice when firefighters are seriously injured or die in the line of duty.

The team's purpose is to gather factual information and make recommendations

that will help prevent future injuries or illnesses to wildland

firefighters. The team's final report should be completed sometime in

September.

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/EMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

Training Program Manager, Fire and Safety Specialists, Inc.

(www.fireandsafetyspecialsits.com)

Technical Editor, Industrial Fire World

(www.fireworld.com)

LNMolino@...

Lou@...

(IFW/FSS Office)

(IFW/FSS Fax)

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IFW/FSS Office Address:

540 Graham Road,

College Station, Texas 77845

IFW/FSS Mailing Address:

Post Office Box 9161,

College Station, Texas 77842