IAFC Safety, Survival, and Health News

IAFC SHS Section Accomplishments - 2010 Wednesday, July 28, 2010  - 1.      Revising and updating the Rules of Engagement for Structural Fireground Operations.   2.      Participating on various organizational health and safety committees/work groups.   3.      Participating on an IAFC task force to develop recommendations for achieving an annual medical exam for all firefighters in North America.   4.      Planning and implementing the annual Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week.   5.      Developing national implementation strategies for Prince William County (VA) LODD report recommendations.   6.      Assisting in the selection of health and safety-related educational sessions for FRI.   7.      Developing partnerships with other organizations interested in firefighter safety.   8.      Fulfilling the health and safety goal included in the IAFC’s strategic plan.   9.      Assisting the IAFC in the development of policy statements related to health and safety.   10.  Promoting new NFPA standards for Ambulance Design Safety, Confined Space Rescue Response, Personal Protective Equipment, and Heath and Safety.  Several SHS members are currently serving on and/or leading the applicable NFPA committees.   11.  Working on development of a standard definition for LODD and LODI.   12.  Revising and updating the two-year Strategic Plan for the SHS Section.

2 Bridgeport firefighters die in line of duty Sunday, July 25, 2010  - Bridgeport, Conn. (WTNH) - Two Bridgeport firefighters have died in the line of duty while battling a house fire this afternoon. Spokeswoman Elaine Ficarra of Mayor Bill Finch's office says the firefighters died Saturday afternoon while at the scene of the fire at 41 Elmwood Avenue. The fallen firefighters have been identified as Lieutenant Steve Velezquez and second  year rookie Michel Baik. Many people are posting their thoughts and prayers on the Bridgeport FD's Facebook page . During a news conference Saturday night, a solemn Mayor Bill Finch said, "The other firefighters, we believe, heard two May Days and when they responded, they found the two officers who were overcome with whatever it was that overcame them. The matter is going to be investigated by the State Fire Marshal on the scene." Deputy Fire Chief Robert Petrucelli says the two men were found unconscious on the third floor of the three-story house after the fire was extinguished. Petrucelli says they were taken to hospitals and later pronounced dead. Fire Captain Ed McCann says three or four other firefighters were treated at Bridgeport and St. Vincent hospitals for their injuries and released. McCann says firefighters were called to the three-story house at around 3:30 p.m. He says no residents were injured. The Bridgeport Fire Department says they believe the fire started on the third floor. The American Red Cross and crisis workers are working with the Bridgeport Fire Dept. to help them deal with this tragedy. As well, mutual aid support has come from every community around the Park City, including Milford, Fairfield and Westport. Bridgeport has not lost a firefighter in the line of duty since 1999.

Arizona Fire Union Signs National Seat Belt Pledge Sunday, July 11, 2010  - Firefighters with Northwest Fire/Rescue District in Arizona can consider themselves pioneers or trail blazers. The members of IAFF Local 3572 have signed the National Seat Belt pledge. "This is the first IAFF union to achieve 100 percent," said Burt Clark, who established the seat belt pledge in honor of a former National Fire Academy student who was killed in a fire truck crash in Texas. Clark said he was delighted when he learned about the effort of Erik Jones, an engineer with the department near Tucson. Jones, who delivered a framed poster-size pledge to Clark on Friday, admitted he was on a mission to gather the signatures of his fellow union brothers and sisters. "I talked to people personally, explaining what it was and why it was important," he said. The IAFF logo is the only fire service organization symbol not represented on the national pledge. But, that didn't stop the veteran firefighter. He forged ahead, and he wants other unions follow his local's lead. "This is about looking out for each other." Jones said he feels it's only right that they took the first step for safety rather than have the department dictate it. Clark said he believes the Arizona effort sends a powerful message to the fire service. "It shows solidarity." When he started the mission 15 months ago, he met with his chief, Stephen (Jeff) Piechura, as well as the fire board. "I received overwhelming support," he said adding that he gave his chief one of the large pledge posters. While his department has not suffered a line-of-duty crash death, Jones felt it was unacceptable that firefighters are being killed or injured because they didn't buckle up. "Many of the crashes are career-ending," Clark added. A silhouette of two firefighters operating on Ladder 31 is depicted in the background of the pledge that the Arizona firefighters signed. Jones also made a special trip to Amarillo to present one of the large pledge posters. "They were very happy to get it." The National Seat Belt Pledge is named in honor of Brian Hutton, an Amarillo firefighter who was killed after being ejected from a fire truck. Jones said while his local effort has concluded, he's not finished. He's offered to help spread the word to other IAFF unions.

Three Idaho Firefighters Injured by Fireworks Sunday, July 4, 2010  - Three Idaho firefighters were injured Saturday after a fireworks display exploded while being set up on a golf course. The most seriously injured Mountain Home firefighter suffered burns to his upper body when a shell detonated in his hand, according to the Mountain Home News. There was no word on his condition. The incident occurred as one of the firefighters prepared to place one of the firework shells in a launch tube on the northeast side of the golf course, police told the newspaper. The two other firefighters also injured in the initial explosion were released after treatment at Elmore Medical Center. The explosion caused the remaining fireworks to detonate, starting a fire that spread to a nearby ridge. City firefighters used a brush truck to quickly contained and extinguished the flames and contained the damage to an area around the blast site, the newspaper reported. Initial reports at the scene indicate the blast and subsequent fire destroyed the city's scheduled $30,000 display. Crews blocked off the area around the scene in case some of the remaining shells were intact.The accident marked the first time the fire department ever had an accident of this type since moving the display from Eastside Park to the golf course in the mid-1990s, a police officer told the reporter. A team of fire investigators from Boise were dispatched to determine what caused the explosion.

Two Houston Firefighters Hurt in Blast Thursday, July 1, 2010  - Two firefighters were injured in an explosion on Thursday, KPRC Local 2 reported. Houston Fire Department officials said they were called out to a fire on Jensen Drive near the East Freeway shortly before 7 a.m. Firefighters couldn't find a fire, so they went into investigative mode. While checking things out, something exploded, officials said. One firefighter suffered a broken arm and another suffered minor facial burns. Both firefighters were taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital and were expected to recover. Officials have not said what exploded.

12 Milwaukee Firefighters Hurt in Three-Alarm Blaze Saturday, June 12, 2010  - About a dozen firefighters were injured while battling a four-alarm fire on Milwaukee's south side Friday night. The fire was first reported at 7:41 p.m. in the attic of a vacant house in the 2400 block of S. 8th St., but spread to a house to the north and quickly escalated. The vacant house was destroyed, and 12 people living in three units in the second house were displaced. About 100 firefighters responded to the fire, along with at least 16 ladder trucks and engines and five paramedic units, according to Salvatore Santoro Jr., 4th battalion fire chief. It was hot and sticky Friday night, with temperatures in the 80s. Firefighters worked in rotations, fighting the blaze for 15 minutes and then taking half-hour breaks to rest and rehydrate, Santoro said. Some of the minor injuries suffered were related to firefighters falling off water-laden equipment, he said. While the dozen firefighters were taken to local hospitals, none of the injuries appeared to be life threatening, he said. "It was mostly bumps, bruises, scrapes and strains, but the heat certainly didn't help," Santoro said. Besides the sweltering weather, Santoro estimated the temperature inside the burning structures was about 800 degrees. The fire was under control by late Friday night. Water used to extinguish the flames came from as far as two blocks away, Santoro said. Smoke hung over the entire neighborhood. Francisco Donan, 37, said his mother and 11 relatives lived in three units in the house where the fire had spread. "They lost everything," Donan said. Linda Lyndanicely, spokeswoman for American Red Cross, said the 12 displaced people were being helped by the Red Cross.

FIRE/EMS Stand Down: Priority Survival -Notification Wednesday, June 2, 2010  - FIRE/EMS Stand Down: Priority Survival Notification Confined Space and Technical Rescue Fairfax, Va., June 1, 2010... The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) through their Safety, Health and Survival Section are urging all fire chiefs and officers to immediately issue a stand down in their departments due to two separate, but similar confined space rescue incidents that nearly took the lives of several firefighters. During a stand down, personnel are directed to postpone non-emergency tasks to focus on critical safety training. In addition to federal, state and local laws, the IAFC Safety Health and Survival Section has identified a number of online resources for fire and emergency service leaders and personnel to use in this stand down and in their ongoing efforts to educate personnel on technical rescue operations. "In recent weeks, incidents involving confined space rescues in both Ohio and Indiana left initial civilian victims dead and firefighters critically injured," stated Chief Billy Goldfeder, chair of the IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section. "In both cases, while heroic attempts were made to save the victims, firefighters ended up becoming victims themselves." During the stand down, chiefs are requested to have all personnel immediately review and discuss applicable departmental policies and procedures to minimize the risk to firefighters in confined space and related technical rescue incidents. "Confined space and similar technical rescues are high-risk, but low-frequency events," said Chief Jeff Johnson, IAFC president. "The rarer the incident type, the more likely that fire and EMS personnel may be unaware of, unprepared for, or even forget proper procedures as they race to rescue a victim. I urge fire and emergency leaders to immediately take action to review the dangers and proper procedures for confined space rescue operations." -end- FIRE/EMS Stand Down: Priority Survival Notifications are the red alert/lookouts for major emergency safety issues that arise during the year. It is the third component of the comprehensive IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section's Fire/EMS Safety Support System.

Boston Fire Kills 2, Injures FFs Saturday, May 29, 2010  - Two people were killed in a fire early Saturday morning in East Boston, Boston fire officials said. Seven others were injured in the fire at 64 Gove Street. Firefighters found one man dead on the first floor of the building. A woman was rescued after suffering from cardiac arrest but she later died at a hospital. "There were thick, black smoky conditions before we got water on the fire. The firefighters got the people out," said spokesman Steve McDonald. Two other residents suffered burns and smoke inhalation. They were rescued from the upper floors. Three firefighters were treated on scene for smoke inhalation. One firefighter was transported to the hospital with a shoulder injury. 11 people, including two children, were displaced because of the fire. Officials said they are staying with family and friends. The Boston Fire Department did not immediately release the names of the victims who died in the blaze.

Safety Program Integration By: Reginald D. Freeman, MS, MIFireE, CFO Wednesday, May 12, 2010  -

Personal Protective Equipment:Your Life Support Wednesday, May 12, 2010  - The IAFC along with the Safety Health and Survival Section would like to assist you in completing monthly safety briefings with Take 5 safety drills. A component of the new Fire/EMS Safety Support System, the Take 5s come with an Instructor and Student handout designed to help you deliver a short 5 minute safety message to your crew members. A new Take 5 will be posted here each month, so pass on this new program to others to help improve firefighter safety.

Training Fire Injures Six Canadian FFs Tuesday, May 11, 2010  - Six Edgerton firefighters were injured in a explosion during a controlled burn last night, according to The Edmonton Journal. One man was airlifted to an Edmonton hospital, while five others were taken to the health centre in Wainwright for treatment. The extent of the firefighters' injuries was not known. The vacant structure had been used several times by the department for training purposes, according to the report. "This time the owner of the house asked if they wouldn't mind burning the house completely down because he wanted to get rid of it," Wainwright Fire and Rescue Chief Steve Douglas said. He stated that crews took every precaution to the secure the house, that was set on fire at approximately 8 p.m. "The house was fully involved for approximately 15 minutes when there was a huge explosion," he said. The force of the blast was strong enough that debris were thrown in every direction. Douglas said there shouldn't have been any fuel in the house that would have caused an explosion. Investigators have not determined a cause and will continue their investigation today.

Texas Firefighter Ejected in Rollover Tuesday, May 11, 2010  - A Cypress Lakes volunteer firefighter was ejected from a fire truck after it rolled over yesterday afternoon, according to KHOU. The incident occurred in the town of Tarkington Prairie at approximately 3:30 p.m. and it wasn't initially clear whether or not the truck was responding to an emergency. The 30-year-old firefighter, whose name was not released, was transported by helicopter to Memorial Hermann Hospital. He suffered head and leg injuries. Further details of his condition were not available.

Charleston Fire Chief Carr Has Parkinson's Disease Wednesday, April 21, 2010  - CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Charleston Fire Chief Tom Carr announced Tuesday afternoon he has Parkinson's. After notifying his command staff of his diagnosis, Carr sent an e-mail to members of the department he has headed since 2008. The former chief in Montgomery County, Md. reassured them that he intends to stay at the helm, to stay the course. Carr, 55, explained that he has experienced some symptoms such as some tremors in his hands and face and lack of facial expression. But, added that his soft raspy voice is most frustrating. "In the past, I had a strong voice and rarely used a microphone..." "But I still wake up every morning ready to get at the days activities. As the chief executive officer of the Charleston Fire Department, my responsibility is not fighting fires but fighting, cheerleading, and facilitating for you folks on the street." Despite the diagnosis, the chief wants people to understand nothing has changed. He remains committed to helping firefighters heal. Carr took over following the 2007 blaze that claimed the lives of nine firefighters. He has initiated a number of changes in the way Charleston firefighters operate. "My career plan is to continue to implement our CFD vision. We have made a great deal of progress but there is plenty left to do. We have established a great leadership team which is very effective...I take this commitment seriously and would do nothing to compromise you or the CFD. I plan to continue working for you as long as I am able. My doctors say that 5-10 years is a reasonable expectation..." Carr said he has started researching to determine if there are any links to Parkinson's and firefighting. "I went though genetic testing to determine if my children were at risk. I do not have the genetic markers for PD. Given the genetic test results, I most likely developed PD as a result of environmental exposure, such as, chemicals released from normal room and contents fires as well as exposure to pesticides and other chemicals," he told his staff. Carr said it's important to get the word out to other firefighters about the risks. In addition to his personal statement, he included an informational sheet on Parkinson's, which is non-curable. Carr concluded: "Have no doubt that I will continue to lead the CFD on its current path."

The safety culture in my organization starts with me By: Reginald D. Freeman Monday, March 22, 2010  - As Executive Fire Officers the responsibility of safety and the establishment of a proactive safety culture undisputedly, lies with fire department leadership……Specifically, the fire chief. Now, I know what you’re probably saying, “Yeah, yeah, yeah….I’ve heard all of this before”. But if we have all heard this before, then why are we still seeing firefighters injured or killed on the job with alarming consistency year end and year out? USFA recently reported that we saw a decline in firefighter deaths in 2009 in comparison to 2008. This is certainly progress; however, as Chief Cochran has already stated, it is still too soon to claim victory. We have safety pioneers such as Dr. Clark, Chief Daniels, and Chief Goldfeder (to name a few) who have time after time dedicated themselves to the safety, health, and survival of firefighters from across the world.                 They are doing their part and we must remain vigilant in making sure that we continue to do ours. Where do we start? We must take an honest look at the true “safety culture” within each of our respective organizations. First and foremost we must have the “buy in” from all ranks of our membership to keep safety as a priority. My philosophy has always been that the quickest way to get employee buy in is through employee empowerment. Each organization’s disposition will differ dependent upon size, type of department (career, volunteer, etc.), and call volume but one thing that should be consistent amongst all fire departments is the unwavering commitment to safety. When considering employee empowerment as it pertains to safety, there are several things that come to mind: ·      Do you have a NFPA 1500 committee? – Most departments have a 1500 (Safety) committee that is comprised of members from each shift to include firefighters. Meeting frequency is normally once a month and topics such as facility issues, review of on the job injury reports, PPE needs, and near misses are communicated and documented in this forum. Best practice is also to publish the meeting minutes to everyone in the department to review. ·      Inter-department Safety Flyers – Whether the flyers include safety information from near misses within your department or you as the Fire Chief would like certain topics highlighted, this could be the means to do so. The responsibility of creating each flyer can be rotated amongst members of the NFPA 1500 Committee. ·      Coordination and implementation of safety stand down -  It is common for fire departments to participate in at least one safety stand down a year. A safety stand down could be conducted after an employee is injured or has a near miss but most importantly, we should be proactive and have safety stand downs to prevent injuries on the job from happening. One tool to use is the IAFC’s safety stand down which is held annually. This year’s stand down will be from June 20th-26th and the theme is “Fit 4 Duty”. The NFPA 1500 committee and or other personnel can be tasked with coordinating the activities for safety stand down week. From a Fire Chief perspective, there are many resources and efforts that are available to us to assist in changing the safety culture of our organizations. Some of these initiatives include but are not limited to: ·         International seat belt pledge ·         16 Firefighter life safety initiatives ·         Take 5 for safety ·         USFA LODD Report ·         Department injury/safety violation data My definition of “culture” is values and beliefs. This is applicable from an individual and organizational stand point. We have to establish that the values and beliefs of the fire department’s that we lead revolve around the safeguarding of safety for our personnel and the people that we are sworn to serve. We should be communicating the importance of safety every opportunity that we get. The more the word is heard, the quicker the ideology will materialize into fruition.    Reginald D. Freeman is currently serving as the Fire Chief for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Marietta, GA.  Chief Freeman has been awarded member status with the Institution of Fire Engineers, accredited as a Chief Fire Officer Designee (CFO), Fellow of Harvard University’s Senior Executives for State & Local Government, member of the Program Planning Committee for the IAFC,  and he is currently on NFPA’s Technical Committee for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications.  Furthermore, Chief Freeman serves on the Website Committee for the Safety, Health, & Survival section of the IAFC. Chief Freeman has a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership, a Master of Science in Executive Fire Service Leadership, and he is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Management with an emphasis in Homeland Security.

Ceiling Collapse Traps Three Mass. Firefighters Sunday, March 21, 2010  - A Greek Revival home dating to the 1850s was destroyed in a two-alarm fire in Newton Saturday. The Brackett House, which is listed on the National Register of Historical Places, was ravaged by flames after it caught fire at about 11 a.m. Fire companies from Newton, Waltham and Boston battled the blaze, which started on the porch and traveled through the clapboard walls to the gabled roof. At one point, a third-floor ceiling collapsed and trapped several firefighters in the building, but all managed to escape. Three were transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries, Newton Fire Chief Joseph Lacroix said. The 2 1/2-story dwelling and carriage house at 621 Center St. were first owned by provisioner Gilman Brackett, who held several properties in the neighborhood. A north wing was added to the front of the building in 1900, and the property was purchased by the Burton family in 1917, according to a property record. The building was historically significant for its southern antebellum design, a mix of Greek revival and Colonial revival architecture. The 17-room mansion, set inside a tree-shaded lot, featured triple-pained French windows and graded columns along the front. "It's heartbreaking," said neighbor Frank Mannix. "It's such a beautiful home. It's a source of pride for everyone around here." The location is also said to have a history as a community center dating back to the founding of Newton Corner, according to a staff member at Historic Newton. "There are not that many homes around the area that are as beautiful as this one," said Mannix. LaCroix said the homeowners were vacationing in Paris when the fire broke out. Their two sons escaped after they were woken up by fire alarms, LaCroix said. Molly Korner, who lives in the carriage house on the property, said that while she realizes the historical significance of the building, the fire will be a tremendous personal loss for the owners as well. "The owner is a real estate lawyer and I know he was particularly fond of old houses and it means a great deal to them," said Korner. LaCroix estimated the damage to the home in the millions.

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DOUBLE EMS LODD-OAKLAHOMA EMS AIRCRAFT CRASH Friday, July 23, 2010  - Two people were killed and one injured Thursday evening when a medical helicopter crashed in a pasture about four miles southeast of Kingfisher, officials said. Helicopter crash near Kingfisher kills two It was an EagleMed flight, said Oklahoma Highway Patrol Sgt. Denise Robinson. She said three people were aboard the helicopter. Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Lynn Lunsford said the helicopter left Oklahoma City's Integris Baptist Medical Center and was on its way to a hospital in Okeene when it crashed about 7:30 p.m. Kingfisher Mayor Jack Stuteville said the helicopter crashed and burned in a grass pasture just south of his farm. He said the helicopter and two male victims were already “beyond recognition” by the time he arrived at the crash about 7:45 p.m. He said the fire was mostly out. “It was my farmhand that called me. He was across the creek and saw it go down and he called me an...  [  more  ]

UPDATE: CLOSE CALL FOR FIREFIGHTERS IN WASHINGTON STATE AS FIRE DESTROYS APPARATUS Thursday, July 22, 2010  - From his rear seat on Engine 31, Michael Rhine watched the fire, seemingly at a safe distance. But as the engineer swung the truck around to face the one way out, a big stand of sagebrush blew up into a 40-foot wall of flame. Amid zero visibility and intense heat, Engine 31 was engulfed, crashing through a dirt barrier and a barbed-wire fence before faltering to a stop. "They're off the road," someone yelled on the radio. "Probably need a mayday." The two firefighters in front bailed out the driver's door, but Rhine couldn't budge the back door. It was so hot his hand blistered as he tried to push it open. The others yelled at him to go out the front, but he couldn't hear over the roar of the fire. He dove over the seat, out the door and to the ground, and they began to flee. As the three sprinted across a field in search of safety, Rhine felt the fire burning his ears. He kept running. The wildfire that broke out Sunday west of do...  [  more  ]

ILLINOIS FIRE APPARATUS CATCHES FIRE WHILE RETURNING FROM A RUN Thursday, July 22, 2010  - Belvidere Firefighters put out flames on one of their own ladder trucks. They were coming back from a call when the engine of the truck started on fire. Crews pulled over to put it out at U.S. 20 and Town Hall Road. A cause is still under investigation. No one was hurt the truck might be totaled

Muncie, IN Takes Over Center Twp, IN - 10 Firefighters Loose Jobs - 25 get hired back by SAFER Grant??? Thursday, July 22, 2010  - Mayor Sharon McShurley and Center Township Trustee Marilyn Kay Walker reached a fire-protection agreement late Wednesday afternoon. The 10-year agreement calls for the city to soon take over fire protection from the township in fringe areas around the city. Funding provided by the township also allows McShurley to bring back 25 laid-off city firefighters. McShurley, a Republican, said the agreement with Walker, a Democrat, was significant in a community often marked by political warfare. "It's just evident that different political entities and parties can come to an agreement and do what is best for the citizens of the community," the mayor said. "This is best for the citizens of Muncie and Center Township," Walker said. "We're going back to one fire department. It will save money. Everyone talks about the importance of collaboration, working together and consolidation, and that's what we're doing -- consolidating and working together." The ...  [  more  ]

LODD: FIREFIGHTER IN CHINA DROWNS    A firefighter who was submerged in thick       oil during an attempt to fix an       underwater pump is brought ashore by his       colleagues in Dalian, China on July 20.       | AP Photo/Jiang He, Greenpeace Wednesday, July 21, 2010  - A Dalian firefighter drowned yesterday morning, becoming the first fatality since a massive oil pipeline explosion hit the city's Xingang Port on Friday. The fireman and a colleague were fixing an underwater pump attached to an advanced water-pumping vessel in water covered with thick oil that leaked from oil pipelines in the aftermath of the explosion. Witnesses said that the firefighter had probably drowned, just 1,000 metres from the site of the explosion, because he underestimated how sticky the water was after the oil spill, which made it impossible to swim. Another firefighter was rescued and is now under observation at a Dalian hospital. There has been no official count of injuries in the aftermath of the explosion, but several people, mostly firefighters, were injured during the disaster. Up to 3,000 firefighters from Liaoning province battled an inferno for more than 15 hours from Friday night before extinguishing the fire. Up to 20 firefi...  [  more  ]

VIRGINIA APPARATUS CRASH    www.wvva.com video Monday, July 19, 2010  - In Tazewell County, Virginia two firefighters from Abb's Valley were hurt when their rig rolled over coming down a hill while returning from a call on Monday. One firefighter was trapped underneath the wreckage. An article indicates there may have been brake problems.

Firefighters Injured & Apparatus Destroyed In Washington Monday, July 19, 2010  - Crews are trying to get a 10,000-acre wildfire under control northwest of Yakima, in Central Washington. The blaze left three firefighters with minor injuries. About 200 firefighters have been battling the fire since it began on Sunday. And 200 more are on the way. Three firefighters suffered smoke inhalation when their fire truck was overrun with flames fanned by the wind. The truck was destroyed but the firefighters have now been released from the hospital. Dave Leitch is chief of the Yakima County Fire District. Dave Leitch: "I'm glad I didn't lose any firefighters. I'm OK. You know the fire truck, that's not a problem. Like I said we cannot replace firefighters, we can go buy new trucks, but we can't buy new human being firefighters." Leitch says he doesn't know yet what started the fire. But he says it was fueled by changing winds and grass that grew high because of the wet spring.

FF DOWN CPR/AED SAVE IN TENN. Monday, July 19, 2010  - Last evening at approximately 19:00 hrs, a Dallas Bay FF (Hamilton County, TN) went down, in cardiac arrest. Companies were operating at the structure fire when he went down in sudden cardiac arrest, FF's immediately started CPR, and AED was used and he was converted. He was transported to local trauma center and the latest word (this evening) is that he was communicating with family and is listed as stable. Good stuff.

FATAL RESPONDING CRASH IN OHIO Saturday, July 17, 2010  - A volunteer firefighter was involved in a crash that killed a person and injured another Friday night while en route to a fire that leveled a bowling center in this Ottawa County village, authorities said. Timothy Johnson, 41, of Oak Harbor, a volunteer with the Portage Fire District in Oak Harbor, was in critical condition at University of Toledo Medical Center on Saturday after his personal pickup truck collided with another car, according to the Sandusky post of the Ohio Highway Patrol. Killed in the accident was Ian Hoffman, 24, of Elmore. He was the passenger in a car driven by Olivia Duty, 20, of Woodville. Ms. Duty sustained incapacitating injuries in the crash and was taken by St. Vincent's Life Flight to Toledo Medical Center, the patrol reported. Her condition was unavailable. Mr. Johnson was driving a 2004 GMC Sierra pickup, his personal vehicle, northbound on State Route 19 at 11 p.m. Friday in response to a call for mu...  [  more  ]

INJURED KANSAS FIREFIGHTERS IMPROVING FOLLOWING FIRE & EXPLOSION Saturday, July 17, 2010  - Part of a prayer service at Kirwin United Methodist Church on Wednesday night was a healing service where those gathered laid hands on two men standing in for two critically injured Kirwin firefighters recuperating in a Kearney, Neb., hospital. "One of the guys woke up today," Pastor Nancy Harris-Ott said Thursday. "Maybe we connected. I hope so." She was referring to firefighter Chester Peak, who was hit by the back doors of an exploding tractor-trailer Tuesday night, a disaster that injured six firefighters, destroyed two fire trucks and plunged this northwest Kansas community of about 200 into a state of shock. Peak and fellow firefighter Rex Lowe were airlifted to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Peak suffered head injuries and a broken nose, while Lowe suffered serious wounds to his back. By mid-afternoon Thursday, family members of the men were reporting — through an Internet journal they had set up to keep friends a...  [  more  ]        photo courtesy of Kirby Ross/Main Street

UPDATE: Responding Firefighter Not Charged in Boy's Death: Struck teen on way to emergency Saturday, July 17, 2010  - The Gloucester County Volunteer Fire and Rescue worker who struck and killed a teenage boy in May while responding to an emergency will not face charges, State Police announced Friday. Gloucester Commonwealth's Attorney Robert Hicks reviewed a state police investigation into the May 5 accident and concluded there "is no probable cause for any criminal charges to be held against Ms. Karen Lee Jowers," who on May 5 struck and killed the teen on Main Street, according to a statement from State Police. Jonathan Johnson, 16, a Gloucester High School student, was skateboarding south on Main Street just before 9 p.m. when he was hit by a van driven by Jowers, 56, a volunteer firefighter who was responding to a two-car collision less than a mile away on Route 14. Volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians traveling in their personal vehicles, even if they are equipped with red and white strobe lights, are not allowed to speed down the roa...  [  more  ]

Firefighter Shocked When Ladder Hits Power Line in FL Friday, July 16, 2010  - A freak accident sent an Osceola County firefighter to the hospital Thursday afternoon. The firefighter was doing a demonstration in front of a group of 30 kids at the Osceola County Sheriff’s Adventure Camp near St. Cloud at the time. Investigators say the firefighter was shocked when a ladder he was lifting touched a power line. Fortunately, emergency help was not far away. “There were other paramedics and firefighters on scene because they were doing that demonstration,â€� said Osceola County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Twis Lizasuain. The firefighter was flown to Orlando Regional Medical Center. He is expected to survive. “It's extremely fortunate. We are all very blessed that the firefighter is doing well,â€� said Osceola Fire Rescue Chief Rich Collins. No one else was hurt. Collins said his agency will review its policies and procedures because of the accident. The firefighter’s name has no...  [  more  ]

UPDATE: FF LODD - NO SEATBELT Thursday, July 15, 2010  - As you know, yesterday afternoon a Firefighter from the Trout Run Fire Company (in PA) was killed in the Line of Duty. Firefighter Richard Springman, 20, was responding in his personal vehicle to a very serious 2 car crash on Route 15, when he crashed. Firefighter Springman was ejected from his vehicle and died in the Line of Duty from injuries sustained in the accident. Details are that he hit a guardrail and after hitting it, FF Springman over steered, causing his truck to travel sideways across both southbound lanes and up onto another guardrail. After sliding on the guardrail, the truck rolled over before landing upright in the middle of the southbound lanes, about 300 yards north of the crash he was responding to. FF Springman, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the truck, landing about 15 feet from his vehicle. Hepburn Township and Trout Run Firefighters were dispatched to the 2nd scene. However, within minutes after the second crash,...  [  more  ]

UPDATE: KANSAS FIREFIGHTERS CRITICAL AFTER FIRE & EXPLOSION    photo courtesy of Kirby Ross/Main Street       Media Thursday, July 15, 2010  - As you know, 6 Kirwin firefighters were injured (two critically) when a semitrailer with an acetylene gas welding cylinder and flammable liquids inside caught fire, then erupted in at least one large explosion Tuesday evening. The blast critically injured firefighters Rex Lowe and Chester Peak, who were airlifted to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Neb.Four other Kirwin firefighters were taken to area hospitals and released after treatment, hospital officials said Wednesday. Kirwin, population about 200 is served by a volunteer fire department consisting of a dozen or so firefighters. Earlier in the day Tuesday, contractors had been using cutting torches to remove the old epoxy-sealed, wooden roof of the Kirwin water tower. The crew members had gone for the evening, leaving behind their truck, which was filled with equipment. Shortly after 7 p.m., firefighters received a report that the roof of the water tower was on fire, along with grass in the ro...  [  more  ]

Fire Chief Promises Changes After Home Explosion Thursday, July 15, 2010  - Sacramento Fire Department Chief Ray Jones told CBS13 he will make sure changes are made to department policy after firefighters were injured in a house explosion earlier this month while lacking crucial safety equipment. Four firefighters from Station 6 were not wearing gloves or protective masks when they approached an Oak Park home after reports of a gas leak on the morning of July 5. An explosion severely damaged the home as firefighters tried to enter, burning them on their hands and faces. The firefighters were not violating policy by not wearing the equipment because the department does not have a policy regarding gas leaks, according to officials. Chief Jones said that will soon change. "In light of what happened and with 20-20 hindsight, we should have a policy," Jones said. "The changes won't be knee-jerk, there are going to be changes that are responsibly measured." Requiring firefighters to wear gloves and ...  [  more  ]

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Current SHS Section projects and issues

1. Developing recommendations for improvement to NIOSH’s Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP) with respect to LODD investigations. Download the report (pdf)
2. Developing recommendations for reporting fire equipment problems and failures.
3. Fulfilling the health and safety goal included in the IAFC’s strategic plan.
4. Developing position statements on cancer presumption legislation and the use of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).
5. Exploring the possibility of hosting a health and safety summit or conference.
6. Conducting health and safety pre-conference workshops at the annual IAFC conference, as well as other safety programs during the conference.
7. Developing health and safety programs that can be presented at IAFC division conferences.
8. Serving on a steering committee that is researching reported problems with radio transmissions on the fireground.
9. Assisting the IAFC in the development of policy statements related to health and safety.
10. Developing partnerships with other organizations interested in firefighter safety such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), etc.
11. Developing a library of model procedures and other safety related materials.

The SHS Section has launched a program to try to reach as many firefighters as possible with simple survival messages through the distribution of 2010 pocket planners. This low-cost program will generate funds to allow the SHS Section to continue to address firefighter safety and health issues.

For only $1.50 each, you can order these pocket planners for your members to tell them that their lives and families mean so much to you that you want to ensure that Everyone Goes Home. You will also help us reach more firefighters than ever with these survival messages. For orders over 50, you can personalize the cover with your department’s name and information.

Download the form and submit your order in time for the holidays!