International Association of Fire Chiefs National Firefighter Safety Stand Down June 21, 2005 Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute

2Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute Stand Down Is a method used by the military to correct an issue that has been identified as a problem throughout its ranks.

3Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute IAFC President Chief Bob DiPoli “Firefighters are being killed at an alarming rate. The fire service simply cannot continue to do business as usual when so many of its own are dying. We are conducting the stand down to raise awareness of the need for increased vigilance toward fire fighter safety.”

4Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute Overview Introduction Introduction Resources Resources Activities Activities Improvement Plan Improvement Plan

5Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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.’ ‘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.’ ‘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.’

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8 What can we do to change the trend?

9Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute How does the culture of your fire department impact safety?

10Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute What can you do to improve safety in the fire service and your department?

11Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 2. Resources National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives NIOSH reports NIOSH reports NIST simulations NIST simulations NFPA NFPA VFIS VFIS USFA/NFA IAFC MSFA Firehouse.com Respondersafety.com OSHA MIEMSS Firefightrerclosecalls MFRI

12Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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.

13Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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.

14Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 2. Enhance the personal and organizational accountability for health and safety throughout the service.

15Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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.

16Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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.

17Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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.

18Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 4. Empower all firefighters to stop unsafe acts.

19Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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.

20Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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.

21Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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 Maryland Fire Service Professional Qualification system. All responders should be certified to the level of their response capabilities.

22Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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.

23Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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.

24Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 7. Create a national research agenda and data collection system that relate to the initiatives.

25Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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 counties should require detailed reports from all departments concerning responses, incidents, injuries, and fatalities. This report should also include training records for each member.

26Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 8. Utilize available technology wherever it can produce higher levels of health and safety.

27Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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.

28Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 9. Thoroughly investigate all firefighter fatalities, injuries, and near misses.

29Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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.

30Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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.

31Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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.

32Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 11. Develop and champion national standards for emergency response policies and procedures.

33Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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 Comply with federal regulations such as 29 CFR , Respiratory Protection, and 29 CFR Hazardous Materials Response. These are examples only. There are numerous standards and regulations that apply to emergency responders.

34Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 12. Develop and champion national protocols for response to violent incidents.

35Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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.

36Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 13. Provide firefighters and their families access to counseling and psychological support.

37Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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.

38Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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.

39Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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.

40Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 15. Strengthen advocacy for the enforcement of codes and the installation of home fire sprinklers.

41Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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.

42Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 16. Make safety a primary consideration in the design of apparatus and equipment.

43Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 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.

44Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute NIOSH Reports Trusses Report Photos Case studies Diagrams Safety practices /

45Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute NIOSH FF Fatality Reports NIOSH investigates most fatalities. List by states List of all investigations Can be used to enhance safety

46Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute NIOSH Fatality Report Summary of incident Recommendations Photos Detailed report

47Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute NIOSH Alert Reports Detailed report Example - Fire ground structural collapse Expanded coverage needed for one area that affects safety

48Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute NIOSH Report BBP OSHA regulations Precautions Preventing needle sticks

49Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute NIST Fire Simulations Fire in a One-Story Restaurant, Texas Fire in a One-Story Restaurant, Texas February 14, 2000 February 14, 2000 Truss roof construction Truss roof construction Fire involvement of roof area Fire involvement of roof area Roof collapse Roof collapse Two firefighters killed Two firefighters killed CD-ROM 13 minutes CD-ROM 13 minutes

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51Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute NFPA – Many services available NFPA standards available on-line for reading only NFPA standards available on-line for reading only Hazardous Materials Response Hazardous Materials Response Live fire Training Live fire Training 1981 – Open-circuit SCBA 1981 – Open-circuit SCBA Fire Prevention and Public Education materials – for purchase Fire Prevention and Public Education materials – for purchase Departments can have memberships Departments can have memberships Investigations - example 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) 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)Download this report for freeEnglishSpanishDownload this report for freeEnglishSpanish

52Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute Pittsburg Fire – Free Summary Report

53Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute Pittsburg Fire – Full Report 21 Pages Photos and diagrams Points 3 firefighters deceased Not found for 1 hour Poor ICS No accountability Poor communications

54Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute VFIS Glatfelter Insurance Group Report forms Weekly Emergency Vehicle Report SCBA checklist Client Training

55Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute USFA/NFA National Fire Academy NIMS EMI On-line classes Firefighters Grant Program

56Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute International Association of Fire Chiefs Home page for Stand Down for Safety Many links National Near Miss Reporting system

57Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute MSFA State training committee Funding grants State legislation

58Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute Firehouse.com Extensive coverage of the emergency services Company drills Latest incidents

59Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute Respondersafety.com Highway safety for responders Traffic incident manageme nt systems

60Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute OSHA Federal regulations Training programs Enforcement interpretations

61Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute MIEMSS EMS Protocols EMS certification Matching Grants EMS WMD issues

62Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute Firefighterclosecalls.com Excellent site Personal reports of close call incidents Reports and training items for download

63Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute MFRI State and regional training On-line classes Registration Links Contacts Company Drills

64Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 3. Activities Station Operations Station Operations Responding/Returning Responding/Returning Fire Ground Operations Fire Ground Operations Other Emergency Operations Other Emergency Operations Training Training

65Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute Stations Operations Moment of silence for LODD at shift change or company meetings Moment of silence for LODD at shift change or company meetings Apparatus checks Apparatus checks Equipment checks Equipment checks Slip, trip, and fall issues Slip, trip, and fall issues Air compressor/cascade air quality Air compressor/cascade air quality Health and Safety Officer designated Health and Safety Officer designated Physicals for all members Physicals for all members Critical Incident Stress for members Critical Incident Stress for members

66Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute Responding/Returning Is POV allowed? Is POV allowed? Driver qualifications Driver qualifications All members seated and belted All members seated and belted Stop for all stop signs, red lights, and railroad crossings Stop for all stop signs, red lights, and railroad crossings Spotters for backing apparatus Spotters for backing apparatus Maps and response routes Maps and response routes Avoid bridges with ratings less than the vehicle weight Avoid bridges with ratings less than the vehicle weight

67Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute Fire Ground Operations Use of ICS/IMS Use of ICS/IMS Safety Officer clearly designated Safety Officer clearly designated SOP’s SOP’s Mandatory SCBA usage requirements Mandatory SCBA usage requirements Continuous water supply established Continuous water supply established Clearly understood Plan of Action Clearly understood Plan of Action Offensive or defensive operations announced Offensive or defensive operations announced Accountability system in place and utilized Accountability system in place and utilized

68Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute Other Emergency Incidents Blood borne pathogen requirements followed Blood borne pathogen requirements followed Highway safety procedures followed Highway safety procedures followed Air monitoring for Hazmat and Confined Space operations Air monitoring for Hazmat and Confined Space operations Technical Rescue incident trained responders Technical Rescue incident trained responders

69Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute Training Minimum training requirements for all members Minimum training requirements for all members Instructors qualified to teach in their area Instructors qualified to teach in their area NFPA 1403 followed for all live burns NFPA 1403 followed for all live burns Driver training programs and refreshers should be mandatory Driver training programs and refreshers should be mandatory Training records for all members Training records for all members Certification system fees paid by the departments Certification system fees paid by the departments

70Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 4. Plan of Action Identify areas of departmental and personal weaknesses. Identify areas of departmental and personal weaknesses. List items that can be changed immediately List items that can be changed immediately List items that require training and/or resources to accomplish 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 List items that are long range goals that require extensive changes to operations, equipment, or organizational culture

71Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute 4. Plan of Action Make a plan for immediate changes 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 changes that require changes in training or procedures and resource allocation Make a plan for long range changes Make a plan for long range changes These plans need a timetable and bench marks. Regular progress reports to management and the membership. 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 The need to change must be sold to the responders and accepted Any changes made require support and enforcement Any changes made require support and enforcement

72Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute Review Introduction Introduction Resources Resources Activities Activities Improvement Plan Improvement Plan

73Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute Your thoughts?