Every year, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) honors the sacrifices of our nation’s firefighters during the Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Md. Since its inception, the memorial service has served as a mechanism for family, friends and fellow firefighters to remember the men and women who have made the supreme sacrifice the previous year. It’s during this memorial and so many others that we echo the words, “We will never forget.” These four words have served and will continue to serve as a promise to change, improve and most importantly, learn from the past.
On April 16, 2007, the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue (PWCDFR) suffered its first line-of-duty death in 41 years. The loss of Firefighter/Technician I Kyle R. Wilson was the result of a structural collapse following a wind-driven fire in a 6,000-square-foot residence. As a consequence of Kyle’s death, an exhaustive investigation was conducted of the incident and the operations of the PWCDFR. The investigation produced more than 200 recommendations, including changes in response policies that reflect the increased hazards of the modern fireground (6,000-square-foot residences vs. the previous norm of 2,000-square-foot), the purchase of portable radios for all firefighters, enhanced dispatch procedures, mutual-aid response policies and improved training.
To their credit, the PWCDFR shared the lessons learned from this tragedy with firefighters around the world by posting the investigative report and all of the related details online. The PWCDFR’s efforts went far beyond organizational transparency; their drive was to make sure that Kyle’s death was not in vain. Their goal was not only to enhance the safety and survivability of their members, but firefighters around the world. This effort continues today, as the PWCDFR continues to work with equipment manufacturers, national associations and key figures in the fire service to make the required changes in hopes of preventing a similar tragedy.
Last month, I received an invite to evaluate a new strategy and tactics class being offered by the PWCDFR. As I arrived at the public safety training center, it was evident that change was in the air.
First, the instructor cadre was anything but traditional; it represented a combination of the department’s youth (future leaders) and seasoned veterans (proven leaders with longstanding knowledge of past practices). They demonstrated a shared passion as they delivered what most would consider a non-traditional course on strategy and tactics, focused on the lessons learned from this personal tragedy.
Second, there was a renewed emphasis on safety leading up to the live burns. We were first escorted to the rehab area, where our resting vitals were taken and recorded and cold drinks were provided. Computer monitoring was set up to track the outside and inside temperatures to ensure the burns were conducted within the established safety guidelines. Officers conducted a thorough walkthrough of the exercise in accordance with NFPA 1403. Primary attack lines and back-up lines were positioned and flowed. In short, it was clear that safety was paramount and we would conduct each and every burn by the book–no exceptions.
Like a typical overly critical firefighter, I was convinced by what I’d heard in the classroom, yet not sold–I needed to see and perform these tactics firsthand. As we entered the fire attack simulator, we witnessed tactics that, while rooted in the teachings of historical fire service leaders such as William Clark and Lloyd Layman, nevertheless broke the barriers of tradition.
To consider the concept of smoke as an extinguishing agent was something I had admittedly never done. Nor had I considered the idea of using the fire’s inward air-flow (under-pressure) as a mechanism for water delivery. In short, we challenged long-standing, high-hazard tactics and performed alternative tactics in a less hazardous format that produced the same offensive results.
In so many cases, we proudly boast the words, “We will never forget,” yet far too often we seem to repeat what history has taught us. The men and women of the PWCDFR have gone beyond the talk of change. They pushed the barriers of traditional thinking. They enlisted organizational buy-in on all levels through their choice of instructors. They delivered a course that would challenge the most seasoned of fire service professionals within the confines of safety.
In short, they have demonstrated dedication, determination, the willingness to challenge the status quo in an effort to learn from the past and the desire to NEVER FORGET those who have given so much. Although no one demonstration or live burn is ever proof enough, the willingness to create the debate for alternative tactics is a monumental leap in the right direction.
