For the past two years the Clearwater (Fla.) Fire & Rescue Department has participated in the Fire Fighter Safety Stand Down. You’re probably aware that this initiative began in 2005 following years of increasing numbers of fire service deaths.
The first Stand Down organized and implemented in a matter of months was such a hit that it has quickly become an annual event that I believe will continue to grow. Hopefully the entire fire service will soon join the effort ultimately resulting in fewer deaths and injuries in our profession.
The planning for this year’s Stand Down began in earnest in the early spring when the IAFC Health Safety & Survival Section began to organize and collect information related to the event. The resulting effort with the Herculean support of the IAFC staff led to the creation of an entire Web page devoted to the Stand Down (www.iafc.org/standdown) featuring countless resources focused on this year’s overriding theme: vehicle safety and operations.
A Stand Down Story
In 2005 Clearwater used a multi-tiered approach for its Stand Down event which included short presentations on health and wellness personal protective equipment (PPE) inspection vehicle response and on-scene safety. At the conclusion of the presentations we issued each member of the department a rescue strap. The 5-foot-long 1-inch-wide piece of flat webbing has sewn-in loops and can be used for numerous applications including moving downed firefighters door control and anchoring.
This inexpensive piece of personal equipment was a huge hit with the troops and left us wondering what we could do this year. As the 2006 dates approached we decided to issue a small aluminum carabiner that would make the strap far more functional. This again proved a welcome piece of equipment to enhance our members’ safety.
When vehicle safety was chosen as the focus for 2006 we used the same multi-tiered approach as in 2005: presentations on vehicle operations and a focus on personal wellness.
Considering that we are an eight-station 215-member department that works 24-hour shifts we scheduled the Stand Down presentations for three consecutive workdays. Classes were held at 0900 hrs 1130 hrs and 1400 hrs in three different stations to ensure that training would reach every member and that we could still respond to the daily emergencies.
In 2005 only chief officers in our department delivered the training but this year we felt the vehicle operations portion would be better received if line personnel performed the instruction. We solicited for interest and selected one person to coordinate all three days as well as one additional member from each shift to deliver the presentations. Additionally the department’s health and safety officer presented the wellness portion of the class.
Beginning on June 22 and continuing over the following two days our department conducted three sessions daily. These sessions reached out to all the line personnel and included participation from the support services division and civilian members of the department. All members attending the training were issued a carabiner and a rescue strap if they had not previously received one.
Each session began with a short introduction by a chief officer followed by a presentation on wellness in the fire service. This presentation was developed by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and featured information relating to the overall health and wellness of the fire service. One fact noted in the presentation: The number of working fires has steadily declined for a number of years; however the number of injuries and deaths continues to stay the same or in some cases increase. Another fact: 80 percent of firefighters who died while on duty had a related medical history (NFPA 1582: Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments).
Can these statistics be blamed on our fire service culture? Or as chiefs have we simply failed to demand money for fitness programs and equipment as well as mandatory annual physical examinations? In order to change our organization’s culture every chief should take a hard look in the mirror and ask themselves “What have I done to improve the health and safety of my firefighters?” Only after you answer this question can you determine if you are really doing enough to create a positive change.
Vehicle Safety Focus
The second part of our Stand Down involved a presentation (again put together by the IAFF) that focused on vehicle operations and safety. This PowerPoint presentation (www.iaff.org/evsp) addresses the following points and statistics:
- 20—25 percent of all firefighter fatalities are vehicle related.
- 80 percent of firefighters killed in collisions are not wearing seatbelts.
- Operate the apparatus at a safe and prudent speed at all times.
- Ensure that all systems operate as designed and the apparatus is safe.
- Require drivers to successfully pass a written driving skills and pre-trip inspection test in addition to learning how to operate the pump and ladder.
- Follow applicable traffic laws department standard operating procedures and rules of common sense.
- Implement and enforce safety policies related to apparatus occupant safety. This means in addition to requiring seatbelt use ensure there are no “missiles” loose in the riding compartments.
- Don’t forget hearing protection.
Once again all of these points and statistics come back to our fire service culture. What will it take to change the negative statistics and reinforce the safety messages related to vehicle operations? Again get out the mirror! Ask yourself what you are doing to improve apparatus-related safety.
Effective Leadership
The Stand Down is rapidly becoming part of our culture but I am concerned that it will soon become just another “thing to do” that some departments and chiefs will use only to tout personal agendas. Instead departments all over the world must embrace the Stand Down for what it really is–not just for a day or two each year–and really live the doctrine of “Everyone Goes Home.” Just think about how many lives would could save if we eliminate half the preventable medical deaths and half the preventable vehicle-related deaths.
So now that you’ve taken out your mirror do you see an effective leader working toward positive change? Consider the following list when determining if you are making enough strides to improve the fire service culture and reduce the number of injuries and deaths. As an effective and accountable safety leader you should:
- Lead your department by eating right and allowing members to work out while on duty. (Don’t forget: They need proper equipment and training.)
- Never stop working to improve your members’ protective clothing; nothing less than state-of-the-art will do. Demand this from the powers-that-be and never settle. Find a way!
- When purchasing new equipment use a collective group of leaders from within your department to test and recommend items; this includes fire apparatus and PPE.
- Spend time every day (yes you do have time!) reading and searching fire service periodicals or Web sites for the latest information regarding safety survival case studies and best practices. Then discuss the information you gather (especially the case studies) with on-duty members.
- Always always always buckle your seatbelt. There is no excuse. None!
- If your department’s version of on-scene rehabilitation consists of a water cooler on the rigs while you sit in your air-conditioned buggy take a close look in the rearview mirror; you will see a self-centered uncaring person who has lost sight of what it means to ride backward. Not you? Then make it a crusade to get your personnel the best in rehabilitation equipment possible such as core cooling chairs awnings ice-soaked towels and medical monitoring. Further consider implementing constant crew rotation; the associated costs are certainly cheaper than a funeral. For more information about rehab see NFPA 1584: Recommended Practice on the Rehabilitation of Members Operating at Incident Scene Operations and Training Exercises.
- Never stop working toward safe staffing levels. Don’t place your personnel in jeopardy by operating with fewer firefighters than you need to be safe. Use mutual aid add additional response units to your calls and above all else if you need more staffing ask for it!
As a fire service leader you must look in the mirror first before looking at the performance of others. The great U.S. Army General Matthew Ridgway once said “Only those who have disciplined themselves can exact disciplined performance from others.” The bottom line: Stand down be safe and be satisfied when you look in the mirror.
