Questions remain over training for deadly fires in Miami-Dade, 21 years after similar tragedy – NBC 6 South Florida

The Miami-Dade fire training exercise that cost the life of a firefighter's son was not the first of its kind to go wrong or end in tragedy.

Last week's fatal crash raised questions about what exactly happened that caused the death of 28-year-old Fabian Camero and whether current regulations were followed.

The Virginia Gardens building, located at Northwest 36th Street and 66th Avenue, where the training took place on June 21, had been used by the county to conduct fire drills for more than a month, according to Mayor Spencer Deno.

He said previous drills were simulated search and rescue and that the building's owner, who NBC 6 could not reach, did not give permission for a controlled burn. Deno described the fatal fire as accidental and not part of that day's training.

Live-fire training is heavily regulated, with pages of protocols established by the state and county, including the use of thermal cameras during training involving structures and the requirement to immediately stop when there is indications that the combustible nature of the environment represents a danger. potential danger, according to a copy of Miami-Dade live-fire training procedures. These procedures were provided to NBC 6 by a department employee who asked not to be identified.

One thing is clear: fighting fires is dangerous work, even when it's a practice.

In August 2003, Wayne Mitchell, a 37-year-old recruit, was killed during live-fire training at Port Everglades.

“Today has to be the most difficult day of my career,” former Fire Chief Tony Bared said at the time. “Firefighting is an extremely dangerous profession, and Wayne was doing what he loved most.”

Mitchell was one of five recruits accompanied by instructors. He was the only one who didn't make it.

According to a lawsuit filed by his widow, Mitchell was burned, suffered heat exhaustion, became disoriented and collapsed in the fire simulator.

“By the time they came out and did a head count, it was determined that Firefighter Mitchell was not there,” attorney Sam Spatzer said. “Apparently, this area where these fires were breaking out was not evacuated between developments. So you had heat buildup.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue now has its own training center at its headquarters in Doral. This complex is located just five kilometers from the building where Friday's deadly training took place.

Local leaders are calling for an investigation.

“I think a thoughtful, careful, thorough investigation is going to be conducted, probably by multiple agencies,” Spatzer said.