NFPA: On-duty U.S. firefighter deaths reach 10-year peak
On-duty firefighter fatalities for 1999 were 112, the highest annual U.S. firefighter death toll since 1989 (118), reports the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Twenty-one more firefighters died on duty than in 1998. Stress or overexertion, usually resulting in heart attacks, continues to be the leading cause of fatal injury.
According to the NFPA report, although on-duty firefighter fatalities have declined over the past two decades, the rate of deaths per million structure fires has dropped very little. Also, the rate of deaths in collisions per million structure fires while responding to alarms has more than doubled.
“The lack of on-scene accountability of personnel operating at the fireground as one component of incident management has exposed firefighters to greater dangers. Taking the time to re-evaluate departmental command techniques is an important means of reducing the risks with which firefighters are faced,” explains Rita Fahy, NFPA manager of fire databases and systems and coauthor of the study/report.
The causes of the 1999 firefighter deaths broke down as follows:
- Stress or overexertion: 57. Fifty resulted from heart attacks. The NFPA notes: “But, while the proportion of deaths from heart attacks has held fairly steady in the time the NFPA has published its report, the number of heart attack deaths had been declining markedly, until 1999.”
- Entrapment: 24 deaths.
- Struck by or having contact with an object: 21 deaths (including motor vehicle crashes, 11; and being struck by motor vehicles, 8).
The largest proportion of deaths in 1999 by type of duty occurred on the fireground (50 percent). Twenty-nine percent of the deaths (32) occurred while re-sponding to or returning from alarms. Nine percent of deaths occurred at on-scene nonfire emergencies (10) and performing nonemergency-related on-duty activities (10). Four died during training activities (4 percent).
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue initiates national Hepatitis C program
The Miami-Dade (FL) Fire Rescue Department and Hep-C ALERT, a Hollywood, Florida-based nonprofit organization devoted to Hepatitis C public education, counseling, and research, have initiated a national pilot program for determining the prevalence of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) among firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel will participate in the screenings and educational workshops, which will be conducted at Miami-Dade Emergency Medical Service headquarters and administered by Hep-C ALERT.
Miami-Dade Rescue will consider personnel newly diagnosed with Hepatitis C as having been exposed in the line of duty; the burden of proof will not be shifted to the infected employee. This is an unprecedented approach to ensuring the health and welfare of Miami-Dade’s employees at highest risk. Cooperation between the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Occupational Safety and Health Bureau, Infection Control, EMS Training Division, and Risk Management departments have gained the unconditional support of the International Association of Fire Fighter’s Local 1403.
The objectives of the scientific study will be to determine the true impact of chronic Hepatitis C infection in the fire service at-risk employment group and to provide emergency response personnel with access to blood testing for the virus so they can become eligible for benefits and treatment, if infected, as sanctioned by Florida Statute 112.181, according to Andi Thomas, executive director of Hep-C-ALERT.
Because emergency response personnel were routinely exposed to blood and body fluids prior to the adoption of universal safety precautions, members of the fire service may have higher rates of Hepatitis C infection than the general population. Nationally, the potentially deadly disease affects about 1.8 percent (four million people). However, a recent test of Philadelphia firefighters revealed an infection rate of six percent. Anecdotal reporting of chronic HCV infections among emergency medical personnel in South Florida range from three to 10 percent, notes Norman Quinn, Hep-C ALERT board member and local EMS division chief. “Years ago, it was common practice for ‘first responders’ to be covered in blood and body fluids every day,” points out Quinn. “Therefore, the infections most likely were contracted in the line of duty.” For additional information, contact Peter Nasca at (305) 935-9993 or Phil Weinbach at (305) 740-8338.
NVFC seeks volunteer firefighters for Hepatitis C project
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), in partnership with Schering/ Oncology Biotech, is producing an educational video on Hepatitis C in the public safety community. Anyone who has been infected with Hepatitis C while working as a volunteer firefighter or EMT is asked to contact Heather Schafer, NVFC, at (1-888)-ASK-NVFC (275-6832). All information will be confidential.
Fire Engineering among recipients of CFSI award
The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) selected four fire service publications to share its “2000 Fire Service Organization of the Year” award. Honored along with Fire Engineering at the CFSI’s 12th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner held in Washington, D.C., on May 3 were Fire Chief, FirehouseT, and Fire-Rescue. Henry Dinneen, publisher, accepted the award for Fire Engineering.
The publications were cited for their “commitment and dedication to the CFSI mission,” particularly for keeping their readers apprised of the latest federal level developments affecting the fire service. The theme of this year’s CFSI’s Emergency Services Dinner was “The American Fire Service: Let Your Voice Be Heard.”
The keynote address by delivered by Dennis J. Hastert (R-IN), Speaker of the House. Randolph Mantooth, who portrayed Firefighter/Paramedic Johnny Gage in the Emergency television series, was the special guest. He and fellow actor Kevin Tighe, who played his partner Roy DeSoto in the series, became icons to firefighters and paramedics and made “EMS” a household word in America. Artifacts from that series will be placed in the Smithsonian Museum of American History as part of the nationwide “Project 51.” Through the Project, the original equipment used in the series will be gathered and be donated to the Smithsonian, where it will be displayed in the public sector, not the entertainment sector.
Speakers included Congressmen Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Curt Weldon (D-PA), founder, Congressional Fire Services Caucus; Senators Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE); Paul Sarbanes (D-MD); and William Roth, (R-DE) CFSI chairman.
Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. (R-MD) was named CFSI’s Legislator of the Year in recognition of his leadership role in the passage of the Fire and Emergency Services Definition Act, which amended the Fair Labor Standards Act. The legislation ensured that the 207(K) overtime exemption clearly defines the duties of firefighters and takes into account their multiple functions: paramedic, emergency medical technician, rescue worker, ambulance personnel, and hazardous materials worker.
NAEVT establishes Institute
The National Association of Emergency Vehicle Technicians (NAEVT) has announced it will open the Institute for Emergency Vehicle Technology and Education, which will be located in Indianapolis, Indiana. A grand opening celebration is planned for August 19, 2000. Pierce Manufacturing is the Institute’s exclusive founding partner.
The Institute will offer comprehensive development and testing programs in areas such as basic incident command system maintenance, electrical systems update, fire pump troubleshooting, interpersonal communications, and various operator programs.
Edward McCormack will serve as executive director of NAEVT and the Institute. For additional information, contact Karen Burnham, director, public relations, NAEVT, (800) 446-2388.
FEMA, IAFC, and NFPA fund Harvard fellowships
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) United States Fire Administration (USFA), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) have jointly funded a fellowship program that will enable senior fire service executives to participate in the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at Harvard University. The USFA and the NFPA are providing housing and tuition costs; the IAFC is funding travel expenses.
Fellowships were awarded to Assistant Chief Leslie W. Bunte, Jr., Austin, TX; Battalion Commander Eileen G. Graham, Albuquerque, NM; Assistant Chief Christopher Gray, Glendale, CA; Chief Attilio K. Leonardi, Honolulu, HI; Chief William L. McDonald, San Mateo, CA; Chief Robin F. Paulsgrove, Arlington, TX; Chief William L. Pessemier, Littleton, CO; and Deputy Chief Thomas R. Wood, Boca Raton, FL.
The USFA’s National Fire Academy (NFA) administers the selection process. Information about the program is available from the USFA’s National Fire Academy, 16825 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, MD 21727.
NFPA and FEMA form partnership
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) signed a national partnership agreement “to work collaboratively to provide the public with the best hazard protection available.”
Under the partnership, both organizations will cooperatively develop, adopt, and enforce NFPA codes and standards that are substantially equivalent to the National Earthquake Hazards Program and are compliant with the National Flood Insurance Program. Also, FEMA and the NFPA will encourage jurisdictions throughout the United States to adopt these codes and standards.
In addition, the NFPA will help FEMA establish a Project Impact Fire Services Partnership for disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery, providing consultation on how to implement the initiative in jurisdictions around the country.
CAFC restructures management
The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) is restructuring its management. Effective immediately, the management is transferred to Clarke Association Management Services, an association management firm. The move, according to Chief Donald F. Warden, president of the CAFC, was made to improve its financial status to “ensure that the Association can increasingly provide the types of membership benefits expected by the CAFC.” Members can continue to send mail to the CAFC at P.O. Box 1227, Station B, Ottawa, Ont. K1P 5R3. The CAFC now may be reached at the following numbers: (613) 270-9138 (Tania Robert), fax: (613) 599-7027.
House subcommittee holds hearing on sleepwear flammability regulations
The House Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade and Consumer Protection, chaired by Representative W. J. “Billy” Tauzin, held a hearing on May 16 relative to the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) repeal of regulations applicable to flammability standards for children’s sleepwear.
Dr. Ron Tompkins, chief of staff of the Boston (MA) Shriner’s Burn Hospital and president of the American Burn Association, and Dr. David Herndon, chief of staff at the Galveston (TX) Shriner’s Burn Hospital, testified in support of tighter flammability standards.
In 1996, the CPSC voted to relax its 1972 safety standard for flammability of children’s sleepwear. The new standard allows tight-fitting sleepwear to be exempt from fire safety standards based on the theory that such sleepwear is more difficult to ignite. In addition, the CPSC exempted all sleepwear for children under nine months of age.
Fire service organizations have been fighting for higher safety standards and reinstatement of the flammability standard for infants.
First section of Firefighters Memorial Park “Walk of Honor” in place
The first major section of the brick “Walk of Honor” has been installed in the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park. According to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, this initial section, leading from the official National Monument to the Memorial Park, includes 1,011 commemorative bricks, each bearing a personal inscription.
The 60-foot section of the brick walkway marks the first construction in the Memorial Park now being developed on the grounds of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. When the park is completed, the “Walk of Honor” will connect the Firefighters Monument, a Visitors Information Center, the Fallen Firefighters Memorial Chapel, and various plazas. Groundbreaking for the Visitors Center is planned for later this year.
Since plans for the walkway were first announced in 1997, thousands of firefighters, departments, individuals, families of fallen firefighters, companies, and National Fire Academy classes have supported park development through brick purchases. The Foundation Web site,
ICBO adds Fire Service Division
The newly formed Fire Service Division (FSD) of the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) will focus on fire safety, fire protection, and fire prevention, according to the ICBO. The International Fire Code Institute (IFCI), which operated as ICBO’s fire service arm, will be dissolved. The new FSD, says the ICBO, will provide the same level of participation, benefits, and services for IFCI members and will make it easier for members of the fire service to be involved with the International Fire Code. All current members of the IFCI will comprise the charter membership for the FSD, which will include individuals interested in fire safety, especially fire code enforcers, fire chiefs, fire marshals, fire inspectors, and company officer inspectors. For additional information, visit the FSD Web site at
NFPA designates Risk Watch sites
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has announced the winners of the “2000 Risk WatchTM Champion Award.” The winners are in the states of Alabama, Delaware, Indiana, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and Washington and in the province of Ontario.
Individuals representing the winning fire, law enforcement, health, and education organizations received two days of training in the Risk Watch comprehensive injury prevention curriculum in Boston and will sponsor a training workshop to help local coalitions implement and evaluate the program in five communities within its state/province. The program is for preschool to eighth-graders and covers the following risk areas: motor vehicle crashes; fires and burns; choking; suffocation and strangulation; poisonings; falls; unintentional firearms incidents; bike and pedestrian hazards; and water hazards. Additional information on Risk Watch is available at www.nfpa.org.
Line-of-Duty Deaths, 2000
April 11: Firefighter Michael Baughn, 46, of the Washington Fire Department in Washington Courthouse, Ohio, died of an apparent heart attack while participating in a training exercise.
April 20: Firefighter/Paramedic Rickey L. Davis, 33, of the Center Point (AL) Fire and Rescue, died of burns suffered as a result of falling through the floor of a burning residence during a fire attack.
April 24: Fire Police Officer Frederick L. Brain, 76, of the Miller Place (NY) Fire Department, died of an apparent heart attack at the scene of a motor vehicle accident.
April 25: Firefighter/Medic Erik J. Hangartner, 29, of the Indian Rocks (FL) Fire District, died when the helicopter he was piloting struck an antenna or antenna support while departing from a hospital en route back to his home hospital after dropping off a patient. A registered nurse riding in the helicopter also was killed.
April 29: Smokejumper David J. Liston, 28, of the Alaska Fire Service, Ft. Wainwright, died from injuries sustained when his parachute malfunctioned during a training jump.
April 29: Lieutenant L. C. Merrell, of the Chicago (IL) Fire Department, died as a result of being ejected from a ladder truck that was hit by a landscape truck while en route to a false alarm.
April 30: Second Assistant Chief Arnold Blankenship, III, 27, of the Greenwood (DE) Volunteer Fire Company #1, Inc., died of carbon monoxide inhalation and thermal burns during a controlled burn exercise.
May 4: Lieutenant Robert Cowey Brannon, 43, of the Bluefield (WV) Fire Department, died of a heart attack at the scene of a residential fire.
May 7: Pilot Carl Ray Payne, 66, of the Texas Forest Service, Lufkin, died while piloting an “Air Tractor” water tanker that had just dropped water on a portion of the Cook Branch Wildfire. He struck a radio tower or its supports while turning to make another drop.
May 8: Fire Police Officer Kenneth Jesse, 80, of the Hartford (PA) Volunteer Fire Company, suffered a fatal heart attack on returning to the fire station after performing fire-police officer duties at the scene of a vehicle fire.
May 15: Air Tactical Group Supervisor Sam Tobias, 47, of the U.S. Forest Service, Alamogordo, New Mexico, was killed in an aircraft accident during suppression support activities related to the New Mexico wildfires.
May 15: Contract Pilot Leo Koponen, 49, of the U.S. Forest Service, Alamogordo, New Mexico, was killed in an aircraft accident in support of suppression activities related to the New Mexico wildfires.
Source: U.S. Fire Administration-National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Database
