NVFC, IAFC encourage departments to create a culture of safety
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) 2015 International Fire/EMS Safety and Health Week was June 14-20. The theme was “Creating a Culture of Safety.”
Fire and EMS departments were asked to suspend all nonemergency activity during the week and all shifts of personnel to focus on safety and health training and education. The theme, which encompasses the “culture” of the community, the department, and the individual, emphasized changing attitudes and behaviors that embrace safety and a proactive reduction of risks.
Examples of ways to develop the desired culture cited by the sponsoring organizations included the following:
- Community: fire prevention, code enforcement, and the use of residential fire sprinklers. Fewer fires, the NVFC and the IAFC explained, mean fewer calls for fire response and a reduced risk to firefighters and emergency medical technicians from vehicle crashes, exposure to toxins, and the dangers presented by large fires.
- Department: leaders promoting safety, implementing and enforcing policies and procedures that advance safety, personnel’s following safe and healthful practices, and making safety a critical component of all training and fireground and vehicle operations.
- Individual: personal accountability-following standard operating procedures and standard operating guidelines, prioritizing safety and health, properly using and maintaining personal protective equipment, and managing heart health through fitness and nutrition.
House subcommittee holds hearing on Zadroga Act
On June 11, the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on H.R. 1786, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act (http://1.usa.gov/1CfwgA0).
The bill would reauthorize the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11 Victims Compensation Fund, programs that provide health monitoring, treatment, and compensation for responders and survivors of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
On April 18, the Congressional Fire Services Institute’s National Advisory Committee unanimously approved a resolution sponsored by the International Association of Fire Fighters and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation supporting the reauthorization of the Zadroga Act.
In April, H.R. 1786 was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), Congressman Peter King (NY-2), and Congressman Jerry Nadler (NY-10). Senator Kristen Gillibrand (NY) introduced companion legislation S. 928 in the Senate on the same day.
Fire Prevention Week: Oct. 4-10
“Hear the Beep Where You Sleep: Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm” is the theme for Fire Prevention Week 2015, Oct. 4-10. The event is sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association, a sponsor for the past 90 years; the U.S. Fire Administration; Domino’s; The Home Depot; CVS Health; LEGOLAND® Florida; and LEGOLAND® California. Additional information is at http://www.firepreventionweek.org.
Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act introduced in H.R.
On June 12, Congressman John Larson (CT-1) and Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-8) introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act of 2015 (VRIPA) (H.R. 2752). The legislation would exempt from federal income tax any property tax benefit and up to $600 per year of any other type of benefit a state or local unit of government provides to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services responders as a recruitment or retention incentive. Similar legislation (S. 609) was introduced in the Senate earlier in the year by Senator Charles Schumer (NY) and Senator Susan Collins (ME). (http://www.cfsi.org/news/cfsi_update.cfm?pr_ID=243).
NVFC unveils volunteer firefighter recruitment campaign
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) “Make Me a Firefighter” volunteer recruitment campaign features an online portal where volunteer and combination departments can join the campaign and post their volunteer opportunities.
A public Web site that would allow potential volunteers to search for volunteer opportunities and connect with their local fire departments was scheduled to open on August 1.
Throughout this summer and fall, the NVFC will release resources (ads and messages directed at various potential volunteer populations, for example). Training in conducting a successful recruitment program will also be offered. Interested departments are encouraged to register to participate in the campaign at http://portal.nvfc.org. The initiative is funded by a Federal Emergency Management Agency Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant.
A video on the campaign is at https://youtu.be/vhfk6lEyNKw.
NFFF and NVFC join Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition board
The nonprofit Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) announced that the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have joined its all-volunteer board of directors. Chief Ron Siarnicki, executive director of the NFFF, and Chief Kevin Quinn, chairman of the NVFC, will represent the groups on the board.
Other organizations with representatives on the HFSC board include the American Fire Sprinkler Association, Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association, FM Global, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Association of State Fire Marshals, National Fire Protection Association, National Fire Sprinkler Association, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, State Farm Insurance, Underwriters Laboratories, and U.S. Fire Administration/Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The HFSC creates and makes available to fire departments free educational tools that help make the public aware of the dangers of fire and the safety benefits of home sprinkler systems. Its board reflects diverse fire service perspectives. A recently added component of the Coalition’s program is the Built for Life Fire Department strategy targeted at increasing the number of fire departments that make home fire sprinkler education a focus in their service areas.
The HFSC offers, without charge, a comprehensive library of teaching tools for a wide range of audiences. They are available at http://www.homefiresprinkler.org
LINE-OF-DUTY DEATHS
May 6. Firefighter Dwight Greer, 44, Philadelphia (MS) Fire Department: heart attack.
May 23. Firefighter David Bourget, 59, Phippsburg (ME) Fire Department: cause to be determined.
May 24. Captain Jason Farley, 44, Claremore (OK) Fire Department: drowning.
May 25. Lieutenant Terrance Morgan Pryor, 48, Memphis (TN) Fire Department: unknown.
June 1. Firefighter Dale J. Wege, 59, Pine Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Rhinelander, WI: heart attack.
June 3. Captain James “Donnie” Donald Keith, 59, Mount Zion Fire & Rescue, Jasper, AL: heart attack.
Source: USFA Firefighters Memorial Database
