BARTOW, Fla. — The Florida Fire Chiefs' Association will conduct an independent peer review of the November fire that led to the death of a 76-year-old woman.

Lorretta Pickard died in the fire on Rockridge Road. Crews at the scene concluded it was too dangerous for them to get inside Pickard's log cabin-style home. 

"Recent media reports and public comments concerning the tragic and heartbreaking death of Mrs. Pickard in that November house fire have raised many serious concerns and allegations," Polk County Manager Jim Freeman said.

"Many of the allegations and comments have been based on incomplete information, speculation and innuendo by individuals who were not on the fire scene and/or have neither the technical expertise nor fire command experience to reach their conclusions," he said.

An agreement with the Florida Fire Chiefs' Association was made Thursday and will include a review of all facets of the emergency response to the fire. That will include evaluating standard operating guidelines, training requirements, response guidelines, or any other appropriate topic.

The association has agreed to conduct the review at no charge to the county.

Polk County Fire Rescue responds to almost 100,000 emergency calls each year, according to county officials.

Polk Commission Chairman George Lindsey said he is behind the outside review.

"I fully support this decision to hire the Florida Fire Chiefs' Association to conduct a comprehensive and transparent review to this tragic incident," Lindsey said. "Every day our firefighters face difficult and complex situations. Independent reviews like these help us, as an organization, provide the best possible service to our residents."