International Association of Fire Chiefs National Firefighter Safety Stand Down June 21, 2006

Fire and Rescue Training Institute Missouri Association of Fire Chiefs Fire and Rescue Training Institute

Stand Down Is a method used by the military to correct an issue that has been identified as a problem throughout its ranks.

IAFC President Chief Bill Killen Safety Stand Down to Start June 21 2006 Overview When: Starting Wednesday, June 21, 2006 and continue until all subsequent duty days/shifts have been covered What: Fire departments—career, volunteer and combination—are being urged to suspend all non-emergency activity and instead focus entirely on firefighter safety. This year's Stand Down will highlight emergency vehicle safety.      

Why: To raise the level of awareness toward fire fighter safety and call attention to the unacceptable number of LODD deaths and injuries. Who: All fire departments and stations

What is a stand down? A stand down is a method used by the military to correct an issue that has been identified as a problem throughout its ranks. This stand down is to raise the level of awareness toward fire fighter safety and call attention to the unacceptable number of deaths and injuries plaguing fire departments.

Building on the success of the first National Fire fighter Safety Stand Down in 2005, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the Volunteer and Combination Officers' Section of the IAFC have called for a second stand down to be held starting today, Wednesday, June 21, 2006, and continued until all personnel and duty nights have been covered.  Fire departments are urged to plan to participate in the event.

2005 Stand Down Last year, an estimated 10,000 fire departments participated in the National Firefighter Safety Stand Down. Activities were posted on the IAFC and its partner’s Web sites. The IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section and the IAFF Department of Occupational Health, Safety and Medicine will be updating the recommended activities, and when those details are developed, they will be distributed.

“Sadly, 106 fire fighters died in the line of duty last year “Sadly, 106 fire fighters died in the line of duty last year.  Since many of the accidents occurred in department vehicles, we have decided to focus this year’s stand down on emergency vehicle safety, where we can have the most impact. We must take dramatic steps to reduce the alarmingly high fire fighter death and injury rates,” said IAFC President Chief Bill Killen.  “While firefighter safety must be part of everyday life in the fire service, the Safety Stand Down raises awareness of the issue and calls national attention to the unacceptable number of firefighter line-of-duty deaths.” Once again, the IAFC has reached out to other fire service organizations to join forces and involve the entire fire service in the event.  Last year, 19 organizations partnered with the IAFC for the first stand down.

Overview Introduction Resources Activities Improvement Plan

1. Introduction ‘The IAFC and its partners are urging you and all fire departments throughout the country to suspend all non-emergency activity and focus entirely on firefighter safety.’ ‘Talk about line-of-duty deaths; check all apparatus and equipment; discuss health safety regulations; review fire ground safety issues; and take stock of training exercises and fitness goals.’

What can we do to change the trend?

How does the culture of your fire department impact safety?

What can you do to improve safety in the fire service and your department?

2. Resources National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives NIOSH reports NIST simulations NFPA VFIS USFA/NFA IAFC CFSI Firehouse.com Respondersafety.com OSHA FDSOA Firefightrerclosecalls MFRI

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 1. Define and advocate the need for a cultural change within the fire service relating to safety, incorporating leadership, management, supervision, accountability, and personal responsibility.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 1. Define and advocate the need for a cultural change within the fire service relating to safety, incorporating leadership, management, supervision, accountability, and personal responsibility. The need for safety must start at the top of the organization. It must be practiced by all and enforced as an organizational priority.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 2. Enhance the personal and organizational accountability for health and safety throughout the service.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 2. Enhance the personal and organizational accountability for health and safety throughout the service. The organization shall provide the members with the proper PPE and SCBA to complete their duties. Members shall utilize the PPE and SCBA to carry out their duties as prescribed by the manufacturer and departmental procedures.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 3. Focus greater attention on the integration of risk management with incident management at all levels, including strategic, tactical, and planning responsibilities.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 3. Focus greater attention on the integration of risk management with incident management at all levels, including strategic, tactical, and planning responsibilities.

Risk Management – NFA- USFA We will risk our lives a lot to protect a savable life. We will risk our lives a little to protect savable property. We will not risk our lives at all in an attempt to protect lives and property that are already lost.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 4. Empower all firefighters to stop unsafe acts.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 4. Empower all firefighters to stop unsafe acts. Watch out for our brother and sister firefighters. We need to help each other. Point out unsafe acts before they cause injury or death.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 5. Develop and implement national standards for training, qualifications, and certification (including recertification) that are equally applicable to all firefighters, based on the duties that they are expected to perform.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 5. Develop and implement national standards for training, qualifications, and certification (including recertification) that are equally applicable to all firefighters, based on the duties that they are expected to perform. Advocate the use of the Pro Board National Fire Service Professional Qualification system or the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress standards. All responders should be certified to the level of their response capabilities.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 6. Develop and implement national medical and physical fitness standards that are equally applicable to all firefighters, based on the duties that they are expected to perform.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 6. Develop and implement national medical and physical fitness standards that are equally applicable to all firefighters, based on the duties that they are expected to perform. Advocate physicals for all members when they join and at yearly intervals.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 7. Create a national research agenda and data collection system that relate to the initiatives.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 7. Create a national research agenda and data collection system that relate to the initiatives. All jurisdictions should require detailed reports from all departments concerning responses, incidents, injuries, and fatalities. This report should also include training records for each member.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 8. Utilize available technology wherever it can produce higher levels of health and safety.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 8. Utilize available technology wherever it can produce higher levels of health and safety. Use thermal imaging cameras, combustible gas indicators, and charged electric wire alerting devices to indicate dangerous conditions at incidents scenes to response personnel.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 9. Thoroughly investigate all firefighter fatalities, injuries, and near misses.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 9. Thoroughly investigate all firefighter fatalities, injuries, and near misses. Develop a program to define ‘near misses’. Investigate all injuries and near misses. Cooperate with agencies that conduct fatality investigations. Utilize this information to improve the safety and welfare of responders.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 10. Ensure grant programs support the implementation of safe practices and/or mandate safe practices as an eligibility requirement.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 10. Ensure grant programs support the implementation of safe practices and/or mandate safe practices as an eligibility requirement. When writing grant requests include safety criteria as part of the specifications.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 11. Develop and champion national standards for emergency response policies and procedures.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 11. Develop and champion national standards for emergency response policies and procedures. Adopt and follow NFPA standards for emergency response such as NFPA 1500 and NFPA 1521. Comply with federal regulations such as 29 CFR 1910.134, Respiratory Protection, and 29 CFR 1910.120 Hazardous Materials Response. These are examples only. There are numerous standards and regulations that apply to emergency responders.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 12. Develop and champion national protocols for response to violent incidents.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 12. Develop and champion national protocols for response to violent incidents. Work with law enforcement agencies to develop and comply with protocols for response to violent incidents.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 13. Provide firefighters and their families access to counseling and psychological support.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 13. Provide firefighters and their families access to counseling and psychological support. Develop local and state resources for members and their families for counseling and psychological support services.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 14. Provide public education more resources and champion it as a critical fire and life safety program.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 14. Provide public education more resources and champion it as a critical fire and life safety program. Develop your department’s ability to provide public education services to your community. Resources can be obtained in grant requests.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 15. Strengthen advocacy for the enforcement of codes and the installation of home fire sprinklers.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 15. Strengthen advocacy for the enforcement of codes and the installation of home fire sprinklers. Provide your members with basic training in the use of the applicable Fire Prevention Code for your jurisdiction . Ascertain the correct procedure to report violations to the responsible agency. Become an advocate for home automatic sprinkler systems. Enlist the assistance of other community groups in your area.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 16. Make safety a primary consideration in the design of apparatus and equipment.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 16. Make safety a primary consideration in the design of apparatus and equipment. When writing specifications for new apparatus and equipment include the appropriate NFPA specifications. The equipment and apparatus should carry the applicable NFPA approval labels.

NIOSH Reports Trusses - 2005 Report Photos Case studies Diagrams Safety practices http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2005-132/

NIOSH FF Fatality Reports NIOSH investigates most fatalities. List by states List of all investigations Can be used to enhance safety http://www.cdc.gov/

NIOSH Fatality Report Summary of incident Recommendations Photos Detailed report

NIOSH Alert Reports Detailed report Example - Fire ground structural collapse Expanded coverage needed for one area that affects safety

NIOSH Report BBP OSHA regulations Precautions Preventing needle sticks http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/bbp/

NIST Fire Simulations http://www.fire.nist.gov/ Fire in a One-Story Restaurant, Texas February 14, 2000 Truss roof construction Fire involvement of roof area Roof collapse Two firefighters killed CD-ROM 13 minutes

http://www.nfpa.org

NFPA – Many services available NFPA standards 472 - Hazardous Materials Response 1403 - Live fire Training 1981 – Open-circuit SCBA Fire Prevention and Public Education materials – for purchase Departments can have memberships Investigations - example Residential House, Pittsburgh, PA, 2/14/95, 3 fatalities. NFPA members: Download this report for free (PDF, 1.7 MB) Free summary in English (PDF, 56 KMB) and Spanish (PDF, 6 KB)

Pittsburg Fire – Free Summary Report

Pittsburg Fire – Full Report 21 Pages Photos and diagrams Points 3 firefighters deceased Not found for 1 hour Poor ICS No accountability Poor communications

VFIS Glatfelter Insurance Group Report forms Weekly Emergency Vehicle Report SCBA checklist Client Training http://www.vfis.com

USFA/NFA National Fire Academy NIMS EMI On-line classes Firefighters Grant Program http://www.usfa.fema.gov/

International Association of Fire Chiefs Home page for Stand Down for Safety Many links National Near Miss Reporting system http://www.iafc.org/

Congressional Fire Service Institute National Legislative Input Congressional Contacts United Fire Service Agenda http://www.cfsi.org

Firehouse.com Extensive coverage of the emergency services Company drills Latest incidents

Respondersafety.com Highway safety for responders Traffic incident management systems

OSHA Federal regulations Training programs Enforcement interpretations http://www.osha.gov/

Fire Department Safety Officer’s Association Certification Newsletter Forum http://www.fdsoa.org/

Firefighterclosecalls.com Excellent site Personal reports of close call incidents Reports and training items for download www.firefighterclosecalls.com/

MFRI Drill of the Month Quiz of the Month Certified Training http://www.mfri.org/

3. Activities Station Operations Responding/Returning Fire Ground Operations Other Emergency Operations Training

Stations Operations Moment of silence for LODD at shift change or company meetings Apparatus checks Equipment checks Slip, trip, and fall issues Air compressor/cascade air quality Health and Safety Officer designated Physicals for all members Critical Incident Stress for members

Responding/Returning Is POV allowed? Driver qualifications All members seated and belted Stop for all stop signs, red lights, and railroad crossings Spotters for backing apparatus Maps and response routes Avoid bridges with ratings less than the vehicle weight

Fire Ground Operations Use of ICS/IMS Safety Officer clearly designated SOP’s Mandatory SCBA usage requirements Continuous water supply established Clearly understood Plan of Action Offensive or defensive operations announced Accountability system in place and utilized

Other Emergency Incidents Blood borne pathogen requirements followed Highway safety procedures followed Air monitoring for Hazmat and Confined Space operations Technical Rescue incident trained responders

Training Minimum training requirements for all members Instructors qualified to teach in their area NFPA 1403 followed for all live burns Driver training programs and refreshers should be mandatory Training records for all members Certification system fees paid by the departments

4. Plan of Action Identify areas of departmental and personal weaknesses. List items that can be changed immediately List items that require training and/or resources to accomplish List items that are long range goals that require extensive changes to operations, equipment, or organizational culture

4. Plan of Action Make a plan for immediate changes Make a plan for changes that require changes in training or procedures and resource allocation Make a plan for long range changes These plans need a timetable and bench marks. Regular progress reports to management and the membership. The need to change must be sold to the responders and accepted Any changes made require support and enforcement

Review Introduction Resources Activities Improvement Plan

Special thanks to the University of Maryland Fire Rescue Institute for their permission to use this program