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Fire Company Adopts New Guidelines After Trainee Dies

By Elizabeth Christensen

Utica, NY – Officials with the Lairdsville Fire Department hope ending the use of live "victims" during training drills will prevent another tragedy.

19 year old Bradley Golden, a trainee in the department, died in September of 2001. He was acting as a victim during a "live burn" drill at an abandoned house. When the structure failed, Golden was trapped. Another trainee who was also playing a victim was injured when he was forced to jump from a second story window.

The National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety is recommending that fire departments nationwide use mannequins as victims instead of people.

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