In this series, Fire Engineering Senior Editor Mary Jane Dittmar looks at the things that motivated and inspired instructors to present on their topics at FDIC International 2016. Segments will be posted on a regular basis up to and through the conference, April 18-23.
Bryan Winzer, Fire Department of New York
Flashover Live and Death Decisions on the Fireground
Wednesday, April 18, 10:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
I was seriously burned in March 2004 at a private dwelling fire. After dealing with such a horrible painful injury and spending nearly a month in the burn center and months of physical therapy that, thankfully, led to a full recovery and the return to fighting fires. I felt the need to pass along the information I learned from this incident. FDIC is a great platform to accomplish this.
Firefighters are still receiving serious burn injuries at these types of fires. By presenting this information, I can make a difference in reducing burn injuries. I have also had the opportunity to work with some great fire service leaders on a burn prevention program called ‘To Hell and Back.’ We need to pass along any information we can through any means to prevent burn injuries. My class features also a case study in which a firefighter was seriously burned and another firefighter lost his life rescuing a trapped occupant. These stories hit home, and the students take the class seriously.
I have had very positive feedback from firefighters, who appreciate that the class is given by a firefighter who suffered serious burn injuries. The firefighters take the lessons learned from my experience and the experiences of other members involved in the case study presented in the class and apply them to their department to prevent burn injuries among their members.
