Human Side of Fire Safety Is Concern Of Foundation Headed by Vickery
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This nation’s newest fire service organization, the Foundation For Fire Safety, became operational on July 1 of this year. It is a nonprofit, private foundation focusing on the human factor of fire safety.
The new foundation is headed by Gordon Vickery, former administrator of the United States Fire Administration. For the first time in over 35 years Vickery finds himself in the position of being able to act free of city or federal bureaucratic restraints in program selections and the making of decisions.
“When I agreed to lead the foundation through its formative years,” Vickery explained, “the decision was based in part on the realization that I would be in the position of implementing exactly what I thought was the most important problem facing the nation and the fire service today.
“I’ve become increasingly concerned with what happens to people during a fire. How do we prevent the annual 8000 citizens and 175 fire fighter deaths in this nation? How do we stop the tens of thousands of fire injuries and even more important, do we know what causes these deaths and injuries?
“I have often been quoted as saying ‘Americans don’t give a damn about fire’ and by and large I believe that to be a true statement. When the MGM Grand Hotel fire occurred and then was quickly followed by several other death-claiming hotel-motel fires, the press, responding to the shock of the nation, was quick to demand action be started to make these structures more fire safe—then every bit as quick to drop the entire issue when it became evident that the general public was no longer interested. What was front page news one day, suddenly couldn’t be found on the comic strip page.
“While I remain concerned about what happens to property during fires, I’m more concerned about what happens to people,” he stressed.
When the foundation began in July, Vickery immediately committed funding to eight separate projects, most focusing on the impact of toxic exposure to humans in the fire environment. Most will be operational this fall.
“We know that people who die from fire generally do not burn to death,” Vickery continued. “Instead they die from the inhalation of toxic fumes that are produced by the burning products involved in the fire. Yet, what are these products and how do they react when combined with other burning materials? We often conduct tests with rats and mice under laboratory conditions to measure the toxicity of a special material, then draw lofty conclusions.
“I would like to take those responsible for these self-serving conclusions and run their ‘bleeps’ into a burning office building, then get their reactions when they are forced to retreat to the outside,” he angrily emphasized.
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The foundation is located in Arlington, Va. (directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.). It is currently funded by the private sector through contributions. It is not dependent of government grants; however, from time to time it may seek them if appropriate. The foundation will offer individual and group memberships to generate income and to increase awareness of human-oriented fire safety while offering opportunities for broader participation in its programs.
With Vickery’s extensive knowledge of the fire service world, he pictures the foundation as initially supporting and broadening what has already been started—especially in federal government.
“There are several valuable programs started by the government then discontinued because of lack of funds,” Vickery says. “There are also some state and local programs which need additional financial assistance if they are to be carried to a valuable conclusion— something to benefit the entire fire service. At the same time we will start some entirely new studies, all emphasizing the people factor of fire.”
Of the new projects, one of the most interesting and perhaps far reaching is his sponsorship of a medical/toxicology symposium for clinical toxicologists, medical examiners, fire chiefs and primary care physicians to develop protocols for post-fire examination of fatalities and injuries caused by the inhalation of combustion gases.
“As an example, there have been numerous tests on the effect of hydrogen cyanide on rats and mice, but what about the effect of this gas on humans?” he asked.
“The rat breathes only through its nose; it has a comparably larger airway, etc. Obviously the rat’s response to that toxic gas will be different than that of a human. Also, the time span for the testing for hydrogen cyanide is very critical. If it’s postponed past that critical time period, the tests become invalid,” warned Vickery.
More information needed
“Without being overly critical, too often we see fire deaths simply listed as ‘smoke inhalation’ or ‘died of burns sustained in the fire.’ It’s time we begin to take a serious look at what’s killing Americans,” he stressed.
Another program, first federally funded then suspended for lack of money and now picked up by the foundation, promises to be an ideal complement for the medical/toxicology symposium. It’s the study of analyzing the air contaminants found in structural fires.
Initially, the studies were funded by the U.S. Fire Administration and the Society of Plastics Industry, Inc., through a grant to the Harvard School of Public Health, with the assistance of the Boston Fire Department, and later with the Southwest Research Institute and the San Antonio Fire Department. Vickery sees the continuation of this project essential if the fire service is to gain an insight into fire fighter death and injuries through the inhalation of toxic gases.
Air sampler unit
The air sampler unit is a small compact device attached to a fire fighter’s bunker coat. It’s able to collect eight of the most dangerous air contaminants found in a fire fighting situtation: nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen cyanide, acrolein, total suspended particulates, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and benzene.
Fire fighters will be instructed to turn on the unit before encountering smoke. If they leave the burning structure, they are to turn it off but can reactivate it upon reentry. Later, a professional research institute will analyze the contaminants to provide the probable source, effects and results.
“With the exception of the total suspended particulates, every gas is capable of causing death,” Vickery said. “Fire fighters are repeatedly exposed to these contaminants and I’m of the opinion that we should not liberalize codes or allow additional or substitute combustible products that produce toxic fumes until such time as the people factor issues have been resolved.”
The foundation will also sponsor a literature review and synthesis of all material written and produced on combustion toxicology and its relationship to chlorides and cellular foam, followed by a program of technology transfer and information sharing. There will be epidemiological studies on the long-term effects of chlorides and other toxic substances on fire fighters.
A first international scientific forum on “Toxic Risks of Fire” will also be held. Sponsored by the foundation, this highly publicized event will draw scientific and technical experts from around the world.
Vickery also now confirmed a needs assessment seminar to be attended by the nation’s leading fire safety experts.
In addition, the foundation has announced plans for two programs involving juveniles. The first is the sponsorship of the San Francisco Fire Department’s “Firefighter-Big Brother” program to rehabilitate juvenile fire setters through counseling. The second is the development and distribution of the first public fire education program for secondary school students. This is being finalized and will receive additional funding from the foundation and be made available to school districts across the country.
