Fairfax, VA – On June 21, fire departments across the United States will suspend all non-emergency activity and instead focus entirely on firefighter safety. The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and 17 partnering fire service organizations are calling for this “stand down” for firefighter safety beginning Tuesday, June 21. As of May 1, there have been 50 line-of-duty firefighter deaths – that is 10 more than at that time last year.
“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,” said IAFC President Chief Bob DiPoli. “We are conducting the stand down to raise awareness of the need for increased vigilance toward firefighter safety.”
A stand down is a method used by the military to correct an issue that has been identified as a problem throughout its ranks. Career and combination department should stand down beginning Tuesday, June 21 until all personnel and duty nights have been covered. Volunteer department should conduct a special safety meeting the evening of June 21 or as near to that date as possible.
The IAFC has developed a recommended daily activity schedule. Fire departments should take the 21st to talk about the causes of line-of-duty deaths; check all apparatus and equipment; discuss health and safety regulations; review fire ground safety issues; and take stock of training exercises and fitness goals. An entire Web page at the IAFC Web site www.iafc.org/standdown has been devoted to this important issue and to help departments plan their activities for the stand down.
“We must call attention to the unacceptable number of line-of-duty deaths and injuries plaguing our fire departments,” said DiPoli continued. “During the Safety Stand Down, fire departments all around the nation will have thorough, honest conversations about firefighter health and safety and maybe we can do something to stop these deaths.”
Partnering Organizations
- National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
- United States Fire Administration
- International Association of Fire Fighters
- National Volunteer Fire Council
- National Fire Protection Association
- International City/County Management Association
- National Association of State Fire Marshals
- North American Fire Training Directors
- Canadian Fire Chiefs Association
- Congressional Fire Service Institute
- International Association of Arson Investigators
- Fire & Emergency Manufacturers Services Association
- International Fire Service Training Association
- Fire Department Safety Officers’ Association
- International Code Council
- International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters
- Canadian Fallen Fire Fighters Foundation
