The USFA’s 2010 Annual Report on Firefighter Fatalities shows a decrease in the number of line-of-duty deaths (LODDs) for yet another year. Although we’re moving in the right direction, a closer look at the numbers reveals a disturbing trend: The number of firefighters killed during training seems to be holding steady. Between 2001 and 2010, 135 deaths were attributed to training. Also consider that according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 2009 there were 7,935 training injuries.
So why is the total number of LODDs decreasing while the numbers associated with training remain the same? Considering all of the unknowns that occur in the fire service, training is the one thing that we can control. When the bells go off, firefighters don’t know what they’ll face on scene. However, during training, we can plan and control all aspects to ensure firefighter safety.
Injury & LODD Reduction
A review of the deaths and injuries indicates a correlation between the fireground and the training ground.
Injuries: By far the most common injuries are simple sprains, strains and muscular pain. These can be attributed to a number of causes, but we can help lower injury numbers by ensuring that the training is safe, the participants are conditioned to the task, and that attention to detail remains a focus. Assigning safety officers helps ensure that someone is focused on the details as well as the variables that may lead to unsafe practices.
LODDs: Heart attacks/sudden cardiac events are the number one cause of death on the training ground. The fire service must reduce this number through annual medical evaluations and comprehensive health and wellness programs. How can we address this?
- 1. We need mandatory and frequent rehab, including monitoring vital signs; we need to slow down the pace when possible; and we need to ensure that everyone is taking breaks and properly hydrating.
- 2. We need to ensure that everyone is physically able to complete their tasks.
- 3. We must ensure accountability. Accountability is critical during training, but it should extend to rehab and even restroom breaks to ensure that no one is left alone. It may seem unnecessary, but a review of incidents from the last few years shows that accountability may have alerted personnel to cardiac emergencies in advance.
Live-Fire Training Tips
There is no substitute for live-fire training. The problem is that too many firefighters flirt with disaster. The solution is simple: Follow NFPA 1403! Ensure that there are adequate personnel to conduct the training, both interior and exterior. Ensure that the command structure is in place and multiple safety officers are assigned and equipped with the experience and authority to recognize imminent danger. If these conditions are not met, stop the training.
Regardless of the type of training, make sure to inspect each firefighter’s PPE. Everyone should be wearing it properly, and it should be in good condition. If it is not, replace it or deny them participation until it is fixed or replaced.
In Closing
In the last decade, the USFA data shows that roughly 10% of firefighter fatalities occurred during training. Training is something that we can plan for and control. Now is the time to pay attention to the details and make injuries and deaths associated with training obsolete.
Rhoades’ Training Resources
National Fire Protection Association, Research:
www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?categoryID=15&URL=Research
NFPA makes standards the foundation of any program. In addition, the research and statistics provide a gateway of information that can be incorporated into any course.
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Fire Research Division
www.nist.gov/el/fire_research/index.cfm
Fire behavior has a profound effect on the fire service. NIST provides data and real-time studies that enforce lessons that can be applied to fire service response and operations.
NIOSH, Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation & Prevention Program
www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/
Every training class should incorporate some lessons learned from mistakes so they are not repeated. This site provides fatality investigation reports and safety advisories that provide invaluable information for the fire service.
