FireRescue1.com - 2008 Fire/EMS Safety Week Special Edition


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Dear FDSOA Member,

As the 2008 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week draws to a close, focusing on these issues should be a year-round concern. The following collection of special articles and resources will enable you to make safety, health and survival top priorities for you and your department.

— FDSOA and The FireRescue1 Team

Focus on Leadership

Department Spotlight: Safety, Health and Survival Week

Fire/EMS 2008 Safety, Health and Survival Week presented a great opportunity for the fire service, at every level of organization, to focus on the unique risks that members face every day. Now it's up to departments to take the impetus hopefully gained this week and make safety a priority at all times, according to San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White. Full Story

Related Resources:

IAFC Safety Week resources

Chief: The Buck Stops Where?
By Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder, E.F.O.
It seems that for Firefighters and Chiefs, things have not been real good lately ... related to more line-of-duty deaths. Maybe when it comes to structural firefighting, perhaps we just stop going in. As a Chief, you must constantly think about what is worth it and what isn't. Full Column

A Letter From the Chief
By Kelly Grayson
EMS1 columnist Kelly Grayson puts a humorous slant on Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week by presenting the following "memo" from the Metropolitan Fire Department. Full Article


Offensive vs. Defensive: Phoenix Fire Department Viewed: 13549 times Duration: 00:08:24 Topic: Education, Safety View Full Video	Vehicle Accidents Viewed: 161 times Duration: 00:02:25 Topics: Safety, Apparatus & Vehicles View Full Video

Spotlight on NFPA 1500

How NFPA 1500 Applies to Firefighter PPE
By Jeffrey O. Stull, FireRescue1 columnist — Sponsored by Globe
Fully implementing NFPA 1500, especially sections addressing PPE, is a major focus of Fire EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week. NFPA 1500 is a Standard to ensure the implementation of practices by fire departments and other emergency response organizations. Full Column

NFPA 1500: Making Firefighter Safety Standard
By Jamie Thompson, FireRescue1 Editor
The heightened emphasis on firefighter health and safety in today's fire service can be attributed in large part to NFPA 1500 Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program. But its passage to becoming a Standard was far from easy. Full Article

Sponsored by Hot Shield USA

As the intensity and duration of wildfire increases, the risk of long term respiratory damage skyrockets. Hot Shield USA manufactures extremely heat resistant Wildland firefighting PPE; specifically face masks, helmet shrouds, bandannas and respiratory housings designed to protect the face, ears, neck and lungs from direct flame, radiant heat and ash particulate.

For more information, visit www.hotshield.com

Safety at the Scene and Health and Wellness

Do You Have Enough People to Be Safe?
By Billy Hayes, FireRescue1 columnist
As I recently concluded my tenure as chief to move on to the next chapter of my fire service career, I sat down to discuss an important issue with my crews to ask them one simple question: "Do you have enough people to be safe?" Full Column

Priorities for Firefighter Health and Well-being
By Capt. Shawn Perry Exercise Physiologist, Sacramento FD
Where does your fire department stand today on the much discussed and hyped subject of firefighter health and wellness? Chances are it's in some stage of development whether it be medical screenings, equipment acquisition, and/or educational programs. Full Column

Sponsored by HAIX® North America

HAIX North America announces the release of the new Special Fighter Xtreme to its fire footwear line up. Continuing the HAIX tradition of providing the highest quality footwear to the fire industry, the Special Fighter Xtreme is quadruple certified for USAR, EMS, HAZMAT, and Wildland firefighting. The Special Fighter Xtreme’s 8 inch high shaft is designed for extremely tough jobs under the most difficult conditions imaginable.

For more information, visit www.haix.com

Emergency Vehicle Safety

Getting Safely to the Scene
By Jason J. Zigmont, FireRescue1 columnist
Fifteen firefighters were killed in 2006 alone responding to and returning from the scene and countless others were injured. Volunteers have gained a bad rep for responding, both in our personal and emergency vehicles. It's time we — and career firefighters — changed that to save not only the lives we are responsible for but our own, too. Full Column

Lead by Example in Vehicle Safety
By Chris Daly, FireRescue1 columnist
When I was asked to write an article that would address this year's Safety Week, I was initially struck with writer's block. Unfortunately within a few short days I found myself facing a situation that provided me with ample material. Last week my fire department was dispatched to assist to a neighboring department with a house fire. Full Column

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