Report details conditions surrounding firefighter’s death

By KATHY MELLOTT
The Tribune-Democrat

A Summerhill Borough native and Altoona firefighter was training in an excessively hot fire and relying on a piece of damaged equipment when he was severely burned in 2005, a new report says.

Thursday marked the second anniversary of Robert Gallardy’s death at age 47.  The 18-page report, the result of a probe by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, reveals that the temperature in the room where Gallardy was preparing to instruct a group of firefighters may have reached at least 647 degrees.

The agency’s investigation also showed that the mask on Gallardy’s air pack was damaged, opening the door for what was termed catastrophic failure.

Gallardy, a career firefighter with the Altoona Fire Department, was working as an instructor at Pennsylvania Fire Academy in Lewistown on Oct. 23, 2005, when he was severely burned. He died two days later.

The training took place in a basement “burn room” at the academy, the principal site for fire training in the state.

Gallardy was an active member with Summerhill Borough Volunteer Fire Department for many years.

A week ago, Gallardy’s widow, Vickie Gallardy, filed notice of a pending civil lawsuit in Blair County court. The notice names more than 40 defendants.

While the document contains no specifics, many of the defendants listed are architects, engineers and suppliers who played a role in construction of the building where Gallardy was overcome when he was adding pallets to a fire.

Vickie Gallardy and the attorney filing the notice, Robert Englert of Philadelphia, could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Vickie Gallardy also filed a lawsuit in late 2006 against an insurance company, seeking death benefits through a policy carried by the Summerhill fire department.

Dan Penatzer, the Summerhill department’s president, said Thursday that he was unable to comment.  Ed Mann, state fire commissioner, also cannot comment because of the pending litigation, spokesman Justin Fleming said.

The NIOSH report is an eye-opener for volunteer firefighters, said Ron Springer, a member of Ebensburg’s Dauntless Fire Company and Cambria County emergency management director.

“(Gallardy’s) passing was not in vain,” Springer said. “We’re all looking at training issues and our personal protective equipment.”

NIOSH also recommended changes at the Lewistown fire school:

• Avoid basement burning rooms and install a ventilation system.

• Have a qualified engineer evaluate fuel loads and heat retention; use minimum fuel loads.

• Have a written respiratory-protection program and ensure self-contained breathing apparatus masks are inspected and maintained.