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First Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award to be presented at FDIC
The Ray Downey Courage and Val-or Award, presented by the Fire Engineering Courage and Val- or Foundation, commemorates the life and career achievements of Deputy Chief Ray Downey, chief of rescue operations and 39-year veteran of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), who was killed while commanding rescue operations at the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001. He was the most highly decorated firefighter in the history of FDNY.
The tax-free Foundation was established by PennWell Corporation, parent company of Fire Engineering, to create a lasting tribute to the exemplary courage and valor displayed by U.S. firefighters in the face of extreme conditions. “Our shock and grief following September 11 may eventually fade, but the Fire Engineering Courage and Valor Foundation will exist in perpetuity to ensure that we will Remember Forever these fallen heroes,” explains Robert F. Biolchini, PennWell’s president and chief executive officer. PennWell seeded the Foundation with a $25,000 contribution.
In addition to his great courage as a firefighter, Downey was nationally known for his pioneering efforts in the field of technical rescue and was the unofficial leader of the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Teams he trained for disaster response throughout the United States and the world. Downey commanded rescue operations at many difficult and complex disasters, including the Oklahoma City Bombing, the 1993 World Trade Center Bombing, and many natural disasters worldwide.
Through his teaching, articles, instructional videos, and his book The Rescue Company, Downey made a profound and lasting impact on thousands of firefighters throughout the United States. He was a beloved member of the Fire Engineering and Fire Department Instructors Conference advisory boards. Downey reached a level, both professionally and as a person, that few achieve.
For his lifetime of unparalleled service to firefighters and citizens alike, and in remembrance of the courage and valor exemplified many times throughout his life, it is fitting that the Courage and Valor Award, presented to one extraordinarily courageous American firefighter each year, bear the name of Ray Downey, a truly extraordinary man.
The first award will be presented at the Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 13 at the Courage and Valor Foundation Dinner.
Each year, at the Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis, the Foundation will acknowledge with a cash award a firefighter who had exhibited exemplary courage and valor in a rescue operation during the preceding year. (If the recipient is deceased, the award will be presented to his/her survivors.) An independent panel of judges from throughout the industry will select the honoree.
For dinner information or reservations and additional information on the Foundation, contact Diane Feldman, Fire Engineering managing editor, at (973) 251-5047; e-mail: dianef@pennwell.com.
Fire service suffers great loss in death of Anthony “Don” Manno
The fire service suffered a monumental loss on Saturday, February 16, 2002, in the sudden death of Chief Anthony “Don” Manno at North Arundel hospital in Maryland.
“Heralded as a ‘fire instructors’ FIRE INSTRUCTOR, Manno was a truly dynamic and effective leader and a good friend to many,” recalls Billy Goldfeder, battalion chief of the Loveland-Symmes (OH) Fire Department, and an advisory editorial board member of Fire Engineering. Manno was a staunch proponent of firefighter training and safety and a valued member of the Fire Engineering/FDIC training and education network. Manno’s highly distinguished career spanned across the national and international fire services. He recently retired as a chief officer of the Overland Park (KS) Fire Department. At the time of his death, he was head of the marketing for Werner-Herbison-Padgett Training Towers.
Manno previously had served as program chairman at the National Fire Academy; chief of the Florida State Fire Training Bureau; director of the State of Kentucky Fire Training Program; and as a member of the Maryland Fire Service, including the Providence (MD) Volunteer Fire Department, the Bowie (MD) Volunteer Fire Department in Prince George’s County, and the Taneytown (MD) Volunteer Fire Department in Carroll County. He was a National Fire Academy Alumni Association (NFAAA) board member.
He was the recipient of numerous national fire training, administrative, and heroic awards and citations and spoke extensively at fire service national and international conferences and programs. His passion for firefighter safety and training, his fast pacing across the stage, and the passion in his delivery propelled the audience into peppering his remarks with heartfelt applause and a rousing standing ovation.
Manno’s spirit will continue to permeate the halls of the fire service, as his protégés and students live and teach those sentiments and principles he unwavingly upheld in the face of a newly emerging fire service buffeted by challenges presented by insufficient staffing and “more enlightened” theories that pose threats to firefighter safety.
Testimonies of fire service leaders immediately began to pour in as soon as the news of Manno’s death became known.
- “His impact on firefighter safety, fire prevention, and especially fire training will last forever. His uncanny ability to do the right thing and make you want to do it too is something for which he will always be remembered. Don had time for you-no matter who you were. He was just as comfortable talking to the Fire Department of New York’s fire commissioner as when sitting on an apparatus tailboard, talking, and teaching tactics to a small group of rural firefighters. You mattered to Don Manno-an example for any fire officer, an example for any human being.”-Chief Goldfeder
- “You would have to meet Don only once to understand that he cared so deeply for our nation’s firefighters. The loss of Don Manno will be felt worldwide.”-John Buckman, chief of the German Township (IN) Volunteer Fire Department in Evansville, Indiana, and president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
- “As great a fire service person as Donnie was, he was 100 times that as a wonderful human being and friend to all that met him. We are all blessed to have known and loved Don Manno. He will be missed beyond measure.”-Jack McElfish, chief, Richmond, Virginia, and Manno’s close friend.
- “The fire service and humanity have lost a great, loving, and caring individual. All who met Don will always remember his spirit, positive attitude, and willingness to help others. Don was at his best in front of a class, sharing his enthusiasm and knowledge with his students ellipse. You knew he cared about each of us whom he taught.”-William D. Killen, director, Navy Fire & Emergency Services, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC.
Manno leaves behind his beloved wife Eilene (nee O’Connor); David A. Manno and his wife Kim; Damien E. DeVille; Matthew F. DeVille and his wife Jennifer; grandfather Joseph A. and Katelynd A. Manno; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Note: Thanks to Chief William Goldfeder, William D. Killen, and Chief Jack McElfish for their assistance in preparing this report.
USFA releases 2001 preliminary firefighter fatality statistics
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s United States Fire Administration (FEMA/USFA) announced in its preliminary report on 2001 firefighter line-of-duty deaths that 441 firefighters died while on-duty in the United States in 2001. This total includes 343 Fire Department of New York (FDNY) firefighters lost at the World Trade Center on September 11. This is the greatest loss since the USFA began tracking firefighter fatalities in 1977. (These totals are provisional and may change as additional information about firefighter fatalities is received.) In 2000, 102 firefighters were lost in the line of duty.
“2001 was a tragic year for America’s fire service,” USFA Administrator R. David Paulson noted: “In addition to the many local heroes who died serving their communities nationwide, the eyes of the world turned to New York City on September 11.”
Among other information noted in the report is the following:
- Firefighter fatalities were reported in 86 communities in 33 states.
- Fatalities are broken down as follows: Fireground Operations, 384 (87.1%); Other On-Duty, 22 (5.0%); Responding/Returning from Alarms, 20 (4.5%); Training, 11 (2.5%); Non-Fire Emergencies, 3 (0.7%); and After an Incident, 1 (0.2%).
- Thirty-nine firefighters (8.8%) died of heart attacks. This percentage rises to 40 percent when you exclude the 343 FDNY firefighters killed at the WTC.
- Of the firefighter fatalities, 370 (83.9%) were career (full-time) firefighters; 71 were volunteer, seasonal, and part-time firefighters. Twelve of the 71 were seasonal or part-time wildland firefighters.
- Fourteen firefighters died in connection with wildfire incidents.
- Twenty firefighters died while responding to or returning from an emergency; many of these deaths involved vehicle collisions.
- Eleven deaths occurred during training.
- Twenty-two firefighters died while engaged in other fire department duties-for example, an Ohio firefighter was struck and killed by a falling section of a tree while testing fire hydrants.
The 2001 fatality report will become official around June, after the USFA has verified with state fire marshals the names of firefighters reported to have died on-duty last year.
“Team Up for Fire Safety” is theme for Fire Prevention Week 2002
“Team Up for Fire Safety” will be the theme for Fire Prevention Week (FPW) 2002, October 6-12. The campaign emphasizes installing and testing smoke alarms, practicing home escape plans, and hunting for home hazards.
To aid fire departments in implementing their local campaign activities, the NFPA is developing an online FPW community planning kit; it will be available this spring at no cost at www.firepreventionweek.org. The kit will be fully downloadable and will be updated regularly. It will feature theme-related classroom activities and take-home materials, as well as a variety of articles and fact sheets fire departments can personalize to showcase their programs locally. New this year will be public service announcements and other graphic materials and detailed communications tips, including a step-by-step media primer.
FEMA/USFA 2002 Grant application process will be primarily Internet-based
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA/USFA) has announced at press time that it expected its application process for the Fiscal Year 2002 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program to be functional the beginning of this month. The program will be funded at $360 million.
The application process will be primarily Internet based; however, paper applications will continue to be accepted from fire departments without Internet access. Use of the Internet is highly recommended, says the USFA, “because of the guidance that is built into that electronic processing system.” Applicants filing on the Internet will receive an automatic electronic receipt.
Grants may be requested for the same categories as last year-firefighting equipment, PPE, training, fire prevention, fitness/wellness, and vehicles-and for fire-based emergency medical services, a new eligible category this year.
Fire departments may submit only one application. However, a new programmatic approach will allow applicants to request funding to address various complementary and combinations of activities in one of the following distinct functional program areas: fire operations and firefighter safety, fire prevention, EMS, and firefighting vehicles.
Members from the fire service organizations listed below will serve on the review panel, just as last year. FEMA is accepting these organizations’ recommendations for individuals to serve on the panels:
- International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC),
- International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF),
- National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC),
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA),
- National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM),
- International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI),
- International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI),
- North American Fire Training Directors (NAFTD), and
- Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI)
For up-to-date information about the program and the application process, go to www.usfa.fema.gov.
Congress passes “ANSI amendment”
An amendment passed as part of the Defense Authorization Bill in December 2001 makes it permissible for federal government employees to attend and participate in American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards development activities. Senators Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) and Rick Santorum (R-PA) sponsored the amendment. American Society of Safety Engineers President M.E. Greer sent a letter of thanks to the senators on behalf of the organization.
WTC “Heroes” stamp to be issued this year
A postage stamp commemorating the emergency relief personnel killed or permanently disabled in the September 11 terrorist attacks will be issued later this year and is intended to remain on sale through December 31, 2004, according to the Philatelic News. The 9/11 Heroes Stamp 2001 will be sold for 45 cents. Money raised through the sale of the stamp will be transferred to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
UFRA receives ICET certification
The Utah Fire and Rescue Academy (UFRA), of the Utah Valley State College, has been accredited by the International Center for Emergency Techniques (ICET) and is now a certified ICET training organization.
The UFRA will begin offering two Systematic Approach to Victim Entrapment Rescue (SAVER) courses. The SAVER Road Accident Rescue Team course trains in the practical, systematic approach for dealing with complex accidents involving entrapment and severe injuries. The Heavy Transport Rescue course will focus on road traffic accidents involving trucks, buses, and trains. Each course is three days.
The ICET was founded in 1983 as the International Center of Extrication Techniques. For more information, call 1-888-548-7816 or 1-801-764-7700, or e-mail icetufra@uvsc.edu.
DOT enforcing placard restrictions on trucks
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is enforcing the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) requirement that prohibits motor carriers from placing extraneous information such as signs, advertisements, and slogans on placards and in placard holders designated for hazardous materials information.
Fines will range from $250 to $27,500 per violation, and violators may be subjected to additional enforcement action by FMCSA.
The FMCSA believes that placing extraneous information on placards, in placard- type displays, and in placard holders makes it more difficult for emergency responders to readily recognize vital information concerning the hazardous material.
ICC performance code available
The International Code Council (ICCT) has recently released the ICC Performance Code for Buildings and FacilitiesT. A stand-alone model performance building code, it includes provisions related to structural, fire protection, energy, and plumbing systems and acces-sibility; emergency responder safety; and hazardous materials issues. The code, available through the International Conference of Building Officials, costs $34.95. For additional information, call (800) 284-4406, or visit www.icbo.org.
Line-of-Duty Deaths
2001
December 24: Firefighter David Butler, 43, of the Spring Branch (TX) Volunteer Fire Department, died of a heart attack while responding to a house fire.
2002
January 16: Firefighter Robert Feeney, 41, of the Long Branch (NJ) Fire Department, collapsed and died from a cause still to be determined while connecting a supply line at a house fire.
January 21: Assistant Chief Thomas E. Andersen, 48, of the Surfside Beach (SC) Fire Department, collapsed and died from cardiac arrest while fighting a two-story condominium fire.
January 21: Firefighter Dustin “Dusty” Schwendeman, 26, of the Dunham Township Volunteer Fire Department in Belpre, Ohio, died of injuries sustained when his private vehicle left the roadway and overturned several times while he was responding to a mutual-aid call for a house fire.
Source: National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Database, United States Fire Administration.
