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

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..

Background..

Fire Rescue Officer William Scott Tanksleys

Activities on Monday, February 10, 2014..

Emergency Response Activities...

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

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

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 I20. 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.

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 onscene 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 OfficerAt 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

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 EngineerEngine 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

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

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 PositionEngine 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

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.

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

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
10

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

11

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

12

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 I20. As he viewed the MDC, he read comments that included information about an injured

13

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

14

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

15

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.

16

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.

17

Timeline for FRO William S. Tanksley Firefighter Fatality Investigation

Incident Timeline
Engine 50, Truck
33 and En 12 en
route to scene
Rescue 50 En route
Engine 12 arrives
on location

Engine 12 requests
shut down of SB
Clark Road over I20

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

Time

20:10-20:11
20:12
20:17

20:24

20:30

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.
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.

20:32
Fire Dispatch calls
Engine 12 and asks
if they have
knowledge of an
injured firefighter.
Engine 50 requests
from Fire Dispatch
that all entrance and
exit ramps at EB
635 and Spur 408
shut down.

Pertinent Incident Activity

Dispatch to MVC involving
multiple vehicles at northbound
Spur 408 at LBJ Freeway (I-20)
Initially Rescue 26 was assigned
but swapped
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.
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
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.

20:42

18

Firefighters reach
FRO Tanksley and
begin rendering
medical assistance.

Rescue 50 arrives at
FRO Tanksleys
position
Rescue 50 is en
route to Methodist
Hospital and arrives
at 2105

20:43
Approx.

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 I20 at Spur 408 shut down.
Firefighters on scene begin
resuscitation efforts after
silencing the FRO Tanksleys
activated PASS device
FRO Tanksley is pronounced
dead at 2120 at Methodist
Central Hospital

20:45

20:50

19

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
#1 FRO J. J. Salazar
#2 FRO James Sell
#3 FRO Dustin Mobley
#4 FRO Timothy M. Calderon

Truck 50
#1 Lt. Gilbert Pena
#2 FRO Guillermo Luna
#3 FRO David Slape
#4 FRO Jeff Strader

Rescue 26
#2 DE James McDade
#3 FRO Tom Brown

Engine 52
#1 Capt. Bubby Moore
#2 FRO Charles McMullin
#3 FRO Rodney L. Crawford
#4 FRO Marquis Manuel

Engine 40
#1 Lt. Nick Ravelo
#2 FRO Zachary Garibay
#3 FRO Hector M. Diaz
#4 FRO Javier Sifuentes

Rescue 33
#2 FRO Chris Pace
#3 FRO Jason Tucker

Rescue 52
#2 DE Napoleon Tucker
#3 FRO Jeremy Chesnutt

Battalion 6
#1 Battalion Chief Nathan Dower
#2 DE Brad L. Allen

20

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.

21

Appendix D
STATION MAP

##

Fall distance
was 56'

Appendix G
Damaged guardrail