Adam V. Hermanson, 25, died needlessly on September 1, 2009 when he was electrocuted in his shower at Camp Olympia in the International (Green) Zone in Baghdad, Iraq while working for security contractor Triple Canopy. It has been 2 1/2 months since Adam died and his family is no closer to finding who’s responsible for his death than they were on September 1st.
“I’m tired of people not talking to me. I have every right to know what happened to my husband.” demands Janine Hermanson, Adam Hermanson’s widow.
Right after Adam’s death there was a huge amount of confusion over whether he was working on a DoD or DoS contract and who was responsible for Camp Olympia. Both the DoD and DoS said “Not us!” It would have appeared at the time that Adams death was going to be labeled a “tragic accident” and was not going to be investigated. Being electrocuted in a shower is not an accident. It is the result of negligence and total disregard for the safety of the occupants of the building.
On September 17, 2009 House Representatives Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) sent a letter to Secretary Gates requesting he:
…fully investigate the death of Adam Hermanson. “We are appalled by the Pentagon’s failure to pursue answers to the questions surrounding this tragedy.” “The family has also stated that a Triple Canopy representative informed them that the company dismantled the electrical wiring in Mr. Hermanson’s quarters after is his death, hampering any subsequent investigation. (click HERE to read the entire letter)
Under Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter’s responds to Rep Shea-Porter and Schakowsky for Sec Gates:
Mr. Hermanson was an employee of Triple Canopy, a defense contractor providing private security services to the Department of Defense in Iraq. The Joint Contracting Command-Iraq/Afghanistan (JCC-I/A) awarded the contract to Triple Canopy in September 2007. In January, 2008 JCC-I/A delegated contract administration, oversight and evaluation of the private security performance elements of the contract to the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). As part of the terms and conditions of the JCC-I/A contact, Triple Canopy is solely responsible for providing billeting, showers, latrines and other life support activities to its employees at Camp Olympia.
The Multi-National Forces-Iraq (MNF-I) quickly responded to the incident notification involving Mr. Hermanson by initiating a request to investigate and directing its Task Force Safety Action for Fire and Electricity (TF SAFE) support team to inspect the site. The Department of State Regional Security Office and the Army Criminal Investigation Command are conducting an investigation.
The TF SAFE team initiated a formal shock investigation September 2 and issued a report September 7. TF SAFE’s preliminary investigation results found grounding and bonding deficiencies. The overall assessment of the electrical system revealed that major repairs were required to bring the system to a safe standard.
In addition, TF SAFE deployed two electrical teams to inspect the remaining Triple Canopy facilities at Camp Olympia. (click HERE to read entire letter)
As you can see, even the Pentagon is stating Triple Canopy was responsible for the showers where Adam died. And yet Triple Canopy has not been forthright with the family. They are withholding information. As far as the CID investigation goes, I have little faith in their findings after the circus surrounding their investigation of SSG Ryan Maseth’s electrocution death.
Below is a list of information that would be beneficial to the family. This information is not for blogging. It will go directly to the family.
- What is the building number/designation for Adams building?
- Is it on any deferred inspection list? Was it officially deferred?
- We need a copy of the report of the after accident investigation performed by Michael Daniels of Task Force SAFE. Secretary Carter’s letter confirmed what we had heard verbally. We would like the entire report, pics and all.
- We would like to know who did the maintenance at the camp. Someone had to be fixing stuff. Who was it?
- We would like to know who removed the water heater and associated electrical and plumbing.
- Were there any previous complaints of shock in this building? Any documentation on that?
- Now that Task Force SAFE is performing electrical and fire inspections, who is doing the electrical repairs in response to the inspection findings?
- Who are the Task Force SAFE inspectors that were/are at Camp Olympia?
There are people who have the information needed for this family to get resolution. They have photos, reports, documents, first hand information. They were witnesses. We need you to come forward.
"I'm going to keep fighting for him. He fought for me, now it's my time to fight for him," said Janine Hermanson.
What would you want if it had been you who died and it were your wife and family seeking answers? What would you want your friends and co-workers to do? Yes…we know you are being threatened with your jobs if you talk. Do the right thing.
Triple Canopy, the Army CID, the Defense and State Departments are not our allies. They have their own agendas. If you have information the family deserves to have it. You can send it anonymously. If you don’t have attachments you can send it via my CONTACT US page. If you want to send hard copies via US Postal Service there is a PO box address there as well. If you have photos, reports, emails or other attachments and don’t want to use your personal email account, set up a new anonymous email account at hotmail, yahoo or gmail then click on the CONTACT US page and contact me using that email. I will respond to you.
For everyone who has come forward. Thank you so much!!
Here’s another photo of Adam provided by his family.
A personal note to Adam Hermanson’s family. I am so sorry for your loss. I’m in the fight until you have all the answers to your questions.
For all my posts on Adam’s death click HERE
Ms Sparky
Anyone know anything about ALAMCO company and its owner Mr. Namir Kaabi?
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I think you are referring to ALMCO and owner Mr. Namir El Akabi http://www.almcogroup.com/index.html
Interesting how that company, Camp Olympia, Triple Canopy and Adam Hermanson keep coming up in the same sentence! Hmmmm
I am going to shoot you and email. If you have more information about Camp Olympia and Adam Hermanson’s death please email me.
For the time I spent over in Iraq, I realize that to get something that would seem so simple in the U.S., is practically impossible in Iraq. I feel the helplessness and hopelessness of this family who should not have to deal with the foot dragging of the system at a time when all information legally would and should be provided to the family and the investigators.
I remember while over there, every type of item had a paper trail – all the way down to the toilet-paper, paper-clips, etc..
Since this man was a civilian – and the DBA most likely comes into play – Imagine the increased pain and suffering on this young wife and his family members having to deal with AIG or CNA or any of the other Insurance Carriers that insure civilians.
Why is it that things get covered-up, side-stepped, over-looked in a war-zone? Almost like there are contingency plans to cover civilians injuries, deaths by the employers like KBR and other’s from the point of injury or death to coming home and then dealing with AIG-CNA, etc.. – I believe that civilian contractors should be afforded to legal right to purchase AFLAC type insurance to cover AIG/CNA type DBA coverage – so that when AIG/CNA starts their BS – the civilians will be covered – no matter what!!!
I’ve come to realize that if it is going to cost money – the PAYOR will do all it can to stall the Payee FROM getting what is legally, ethically, morally due.
Is it possible that KBR is owned by AIG because their tactics are so similar.
I mentioned this subject because I try and look ahead to a conclusion and feel that this poor family should not have to go through the extra pain that the insurance carrier will most likely put them through. – I pray that whoever the insurance carrier for the company that hired this man – does the right thing!!!
Seems like these companies ALWAYS NEVER LOSE DOCUMENTATION ON HOW TO GET PAID, BUT SEEM TO ALWAYS LOSE DOCUMENTATION THAT POINTS A FINGER BACK AT THEMSELVES AS TO WHO IS TO BLAME FOR THSES TYPES OF THINGS.
“ORGANIZED CRIME” ?
To “JLS617″
Thank you for the awesome email. I will pass it on!
Ms Sparky