Joe Frolick, a firefighter with the Wayne Township Fire Department in Indianapolis, wanted to spread the word to his fellow firefighters about the risks and treatment of smoke inhalation. So he jumped out of an airplane–100 times in a row.
On Sept. 4, Frolick, who has been skydiving for 7 years, set the Ohio state record for the most consecutive skydives. It took nearly 13 hours of continuous jumping, but Frolick raised $5,000 for a good cause, and more importantly, helped educate the fire and EMS community about good habits regarding smoke inhalation.
Jumping for 100 Reasons
Frolick wanted to use his skydiving expertise to help the non-profit group Cyanide Poisoning Treatment Coalition (CPTC), the nation’s leading authority on fire smoke in the fire service. Frolick had worked with CPTC in the past and wanted to help alert firefighters and EMS personnel to their resources on smoke inhalation. So he partnered with CPTC under the theme “100 Reasons”–named for the more than 100 people who die from smoke inhalation each year, as well as the approximately 100 firefighters who die each year in the line of duty.
The 100 Reasons event took about 2 years to plan and organize. It took much less time for Frolick to prepare for his day of skydiving. After working on the crew of a fellow skydiver who set the world record for consecutive jumps–600–Frolick had a good idea of what he needed to do. He worked out all summer, riding his bicycle for 30 miles each day–and practiced multiple jumps. By Sept. 4, he was ready to set the state record.
On the Ground
While Frolick spent the day going up and down 100 times, CPTC held its First Annual Midwest Smoke Symposium at the drop zone. Approximately 40 firefighters participated, learning best practices for the management of smoke inhalation victims. International experts on the subject shared recent improvements in treatment and antidotes.
Was the effort effective? Frolick thinks so: He says that multiple firefighters who attended the symposium took the word back to their departments and got them to adopt new protocols for managing smoke inhalation victims. “And I’ve already heard a couple of stories that make me believe it [was worthwhile],” Frolick says. “A couple of firefighters in California were exposed to smoke, and their chief knew to get in touch with CPTC because of my jumps.”
Fire Service Support
Frolick gathered donations from his local firefighters’ association, a retired firefighters’ organization and others. “I got a ton of support,” he says. “People gave very generously, in the traditional spirit of the fire service.” He got nonfinancial support from his own department, although he admits, “I was a little nervous when I approached my chief. People who don’t jump out of airplanes think those of us who do are a little crazy. But he was very supportive.”
He adds, “My only regret is not telling people [at my station house] about it in advance; I was a little embarrassed. But afterward, everyone congratulated me and said, ‘why didn’t you tell us? We would have come out and supported you.’”
Future Training
CPTC is planning additional symposiums. “I know they’re holding an all-day class at FDIC,” Frolick says. “We also want to do another event in the Midwest and maybe have an event every year. I don’t have any plans to do another day of jumps, but I’d do it again if it will help!”
For more information on industry training on the risks of fire smoke cyanide exposure, early recognition of its signs and symptoms, and appropriate treatment and antidotes, visit the CPTC Web site at www.firesmoke.org.
