Federal report out after Chicago fireman's death

CHICAGO — Federal investigators that looked into the death of a Chicago firefighter say the city's fire department should have a written policy on using fire escapes.

The Chicago Tribune reports Wednesday that the report from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health also advises the fire department to review certain training and firefighting tactics. Firefighter Christopher Wheatley died in August when he fell 53 feet from a building.

Chicago fire commissioner Robert Hoff responded to the report, saying the department "must learn all we can from this" and "work to ensure that we minimize the chance for such loss of life in the future."

Department officials said report recommendations, including those about fire escapes and carrying heavy equipment, were implemented soon after Wheatley's death.