National Firefighter Safety Stand Down 2006

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National Firefighter Safety Stand Down 2006

• Everyone Goes Home!

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IntroductionThe International Association of
Fire Chiefs (IAFC), and its national partners
are urging fire departments to begin a special
emphasis on June 21st focusing on firefighter
safety. 
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TEEX and all Texas fire agencies fully support
the IAFC with this effort and encourages all
departments across Texas and the United States to
place a priority on safe operations for all
personnel and functions.
We must assure that Everyone Goes Home!
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Texas Commission on Fire Protection
Texas Forest Service
Fire Fighters Pension Commissioner
National Volunteer Fire Council
State Firemens and Fire Marshals
Association of Texas
State Fire Marshal
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On Tuesday, June 21, 2006, TEEX / ESTI will
conduct special Firefighter Safety Awareness
sessions

• 14 Locations across Texas
• Longview
• Springtown
• Round Rock
• Sherman
• College Station (2)
• Lake Jackson
• Bremond

• Wichita Falls
• Brownsville
• Floydada
• Houston
• Ft. Stockton
• Leander
• Del Rio

For information 979-458-2270
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Agenda

• Reason for Stand Down
• Line of Duty Death (LODD) Statistics
• 2005
• 2006
• Areas of Focus
• Vehicle Safety - Case Studies Recommendations
• Physical Fitness and Training
• Summary
• Additional Materials

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Moment of SilenceTo honor our brothers and
sisters who have fallen.
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Reason for Stand Down

• Call attention to the number of preventable
  line-of-duty deaths and injuries among
  firefighters.
• As of May 31st there have been 38 firefighter
  line-of-duty deaths (LODD) in the US.
• To include 3 LODD in Texas.
• 106 firefighters died in the line of duty in
  2005.
• 26 in vehicle accidents.
• source www.usfa.fema.gov

9
United States Firefighter LODDs

• Heart attacks were responsible for the deaths of
  48 firefighters in 2005 (down from 61 in 2004)
• Vehicle crashes took the lives of 26 firefighters
  in 2005
• 5 killed in tanker (tender) crashes
• 5 killed in crashes involving passenger vehicles
• 4 killed in pumper crashes
• Firefighters were also killed in crashes
  involving ATVs, aircraft, and a boat.

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StatisticsLine-of-Duty Deaths (LODD)
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2005 Statistics On Duty

• The average age of a firefighter killed in 2005
  was 46.
• The youngest firefighter to die was an
  18-year-old Connecticut firefighter who died
  after falling from a ladder during training.
• The oldest firefighter to die was a 76-year-old
  New Jersey firefighter who was struck by a
  suspected drunk driver at a roadside emergency
  scene.

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LODD Statistics 2005Classification
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LODD Statistics 2005
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LODD Statistics 2005
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2005 Firefighter DeathsTop 5 by State
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2005 Firefighter Fatalities by State by Location
of Fatal Incident

• 1 - Oklahoma
• 1 - Oregon
• 7 - Pennsylvania
• 1 - South Carolina
• 1 - South Dakota
• 3 - Tennessee
• 9 - Texas
• 1 - Utah
• 1 - Virginia
• 1 - Wisconsin
• 2 - West Virginia
• 2 - Wyoming
• 1 - Iraq

• 1 - Maryland
• 2 - Michigan
• 3 - Missouri
• 3 - Mississippi
• 4 - North Carolina
• 1 - Nebraska
• 1 - New Hampshire
• 5 - New Jersey
• 2 - New Mexico
• 1 - Nevada
• 17 - New York

• 4 - Alabama
• 1 - Arkansas
• 1 - Arizona
• 8 - California
• 2 - Connecticut
• 2 - Delaware
• 3 - Florida
• 3 - Georgia
• 2 - Iowa
• 2 - Kansas
• 6 - Kentucky
• 1 - Louisiana

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Line-of-Duty Deaths

• 2006!
• Date Range 1/1/2006 to 5/31/2006

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2006 YTD Line-of-Duty Firefighter Fatalities 38

• Classification
• 11 Career (28.9)
• 1 Wildland Full-Time (2.63)
• 1 Paid-on-Call (2.63)
• 23 Volunteer (60.5)
• 2 Unknown (5.26)
• Number of Multiple Firefighter Fatality
  Incidents 1
• Number of Wildland Firefighter Fatalities 5

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2006 - Type of Duty

• 4 Responding (10.5)
• 3 Training (7.89)
• 14 On-Scene Fire (36.8)
• 4 On-Scene Non-Fire (10.5)
• 8 After (21.0)
• 4 Other On-Duty (10.5)
• 1 Other (2.63)
• Percent of Fatalities Related to Emergency Duty
  63.1
• Number of firefighter fatalities associated with
  suspicious/arson fires 1

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2006 - Cause of Fatal Injury

• 5 Caught/Trapped (13.1)
• 21 Stress/Overexertion (55.2)
• 1 Exposure (2.63)
• 1 Collapse (2.63)
• 3 Struck by (7.89)
• 5 Vehicle Collision (13.1)
• 1 Lost (2.63)
• 1 Other (2.63)

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2006 - Nature of Fatal Injury

• 3 Asphyxiation (7.89)
• 3 Crushed (7.89)
• 1 Burns (2.63)
• 2 CVA (5.26)
• 8 Trauma (21.0)
• 19 Heart Attack (50.0)
• 2 Other (5.26)

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2006 - Age of Firefighter When the Fatal Injury
Was Sustained

• 1 - Under 21
• 2 - 21 to 25
• 1 - 26 to 30
• 10 - 31 to 40
• 7 - 41 to 50
• 10 - 51 to 60
• 6 - 61 and Over
• 2 - Unknown
• Percent of Firefighter Fatalities Under Age 40
  31.6

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2006 - Firefighter DeathsTop States
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2006 - Firefighter Fatalities by State by
Location of Fatal Incident

• 3 - New Jersey
• 1 - New Mexico
• 5 - New York
• 2 - Oklahoma
• 2 - Pennsylvania
• 1 - South Carolina
• 1 - South Dakota
• 4 - Tennessee
• 3 - Texas
• 1 - Washington

• 2 - Alabama
• 1 California
• 1 - Colorado
• 1 - Georgia
• 1 - Illinois
• 1 - Kansas
• 1 Michigan
• 1 - Missouri
• 2 - Mississippi
• 3 - North Carolina
• 1 New Hampshire

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2006 - Texas Fire Service Line-of-duty Deaths
since Jan 1, 2006

• Jan. 3 Richard Longoria, 54, Corpus Christi
• Stress/Overexertion  (Cerebrovascular Accident)
• Mar. 12 James McMorries, 62, Howardwick
• Vehicle Collision (Trauma)
• Apr. 3 David Moore, 40, Houston
• Stress/Overexertion  (Cerebrovascular Accident)

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Stand Down - Focus

• Emergency vehicle safety, including
• Seatbelt usage
• Safe driving through intersections
• Roadside
• Additional Focus
• Physical Fitness
• Training

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Vehicle Safety

• Our Focus !
• Your Focus !

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Motor Vehicle Collisions (MVCs)

• Since 1984, MVCs have accounted for between 20
  and 25 percent of firefighter fatalities
  annually.
• One quarter of firefighters who died in MVCs were
  killed in private/personally owned vehicles
  (POVs).
• Following POVs, the apparatus most often involved
  in fatal collisions were tankers,
  engines/pumpers, and airplanes.
• More firefighters are killed in tanker collisions
  than in engines and ladders combined.
• About 27 percent of fatalities in MVCs the
  firefighter was ejected from the vehicle at the
  time of the collision
• Only 21 percent were reportedly wearing their
  seatbelts prior to the collision.

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It can only happen to the other guy

• To everyone else
• YOU are the OTHER GUY !!

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Vehicle Safety

• Case Studies Recommendations
• source www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire

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Case Study 1Volunteer Firefighter Dies and Two
Injured in Engine Rollover - Alabama
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Recommendation 1.1 Fire departments should
develop and enforce standard operating procedures
(SOPs) on the safe and prudent operation of
emergency vehicles.

• NFPA 1500 4-2.3 states "Drivers of fire
  department vehicles shall be directly responsible
  for the safe and prudent operation of the
  vehicles under all conditions. . . "
• NFPA 1451 5.3 states that fire department
  personnel must be trained in and exercise
  applicable principles of defensive driving
  techniques under both emergency and nonemergency
  conditions

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Recommendation 1.2 Fire departments should
ensure that drivers of fire department vehicles
receive driver training at least twice a
year.

• Driver training should be provided to all
  driver/operators as often as necessary to meet
  the requirements of NFPA 1451, but not less than
  twice a year.
• This training should be documented and cover
  defensive driving techniques during emergency and
  nonemergency conditions.
• Additionally, fire departments driver training
  should be in accordance with
• NFPA 1451, Standard for a Fire Service Vehicle
  Operations Training Program and,
• NFPA 1002, Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator
  Professional Qualifications.

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Case Study 2One Part-time Fire Fighter Dies and
Another Is Seriously Injured When Two Fire
Engines Collide at an Intersection While
Responding to a Fire - Illinois
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Recommendation 2.1 Fire departments should
provide training to driver/operators as often as
necessary to meet the requirements of NFPA 1451,
1500, and 1002. This training should incorporate
specifics on intersection practices.

• In NFPA 1451, Standard for a Fire Service Vehicle
  Operations Training Program, Chapter 5.3.1 states
  that fire department personnel must be trained
  in, and exercise applicable principles of,
  defensive driving techniques under both emergency
  and non-emergency conditions.
• Chapter 6.2.7.1 states that procedures for
  emergency response must emphasize that the safe
  arrival of fire apparatus at the emergency scene
  is the first priority.
• To reduce the risk of crashes and injury or
  death, Chapter 6.2.8 states that fire apparatus
  must come to a complete stop in a number of
  situations including red traffic lights, stop
  signs, negative right-of-way intersections, blind
  intersections, and when the driver cannot account
  for all lanes of traffic in an intersection.

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Recommendation 2.2 Fire departments should
develop and enforce standard operating procedures
(SOP ) for seat belt usage, intersection
practices, and response to mutual/automatic aid
incidents.

• Standard vehicle operation procedures should
  include but not be limited to defensive driving
  techniques, seat belt use, and intersection
  practices.
• SOPs should be comprehensive and encompass
  training and procedures for incidents involving
  mutual and automatic aid.
• SOPs should be written, periodically reviewed,
  and enforced.
• Fire departments should enforce SOPs on the use
  of seat belts.
• The SOPs should apply to all persons riding in
  emergency vehicles and should state that all
  persons on board must be seated and secured in an
  approved riding position whenever the vehicle is
  in motion.

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Recommendation 2.2 Continued

• The SOPs should include defensive driving
  practices, particularly as they relate to
  intersections.
• NFPA 1710 and 1720 both address response to
  automatic/mutual aid incidents.
• NFPA 1720, Chapter 4.7.2, for example, states
  Procedures and training of personnel for all
  fire departments in mutual aid, automatic aid,
  and fire protection agreement plans shall be
  comprehensive to produce an effective fire force
  and to ensure uniform operations.
• NFPA 1620, Recommended Practice for Pre-incident
  Planning provides guidance to assist departments
  in establishing pre-incident plans.
• Pre-incident planning includes agreements formed
  by a coalition of all involved parties including
  mutual-and automatic-aid fire departments, EMS,
  and law enforcement personnel, to help ensure a
  coordinated response to emergency situations.

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Case Study 3Career Fire Fighter/Emergency
Medical Technician Dies from Injuries Sustained
in Fall from Apparatus - California
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Recommendation 3.1 Fire departments should
ensure that all persons responding in emergency
apparatus are wearing and secured by seat belts
or safety restraints at all times the vehicle is
in motion.

• Fire fighters and emergency responders make many
  life-and-death decisions during a tour of duty,
  and one of the most important for their own
  safety is securing the seat belt after climbing
  aboard a responding emergency apparatus.
• It is equally critical that personnel remain
  seated and restrained until they have arrived at
  their destination and the apparatus has come to a
  safe stop.
• NFPA 1500 states that seat belts shall not be
  released or loosened for any purpose while the
  vehicle is in motion, including the donning of
  respiratory protection equipment or protective
  clothing.
• Departments should enforce and repeatedly train
  all personnel on safety rules, including the use
  of safety restraints when riding in emergency
  vehicles.

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Recommendation 3.1 Continued

• NFPA 1901 Chapter 14.1.1 states that each crew
  riding position shall be within a fully enclosed
  personnel area.
• Although newer apparatus are designed with fully
  enclosed cabs, older apparatus with jump seat
  riding areas are still in service.
• Some of these are equipped with safety bars or
  gates that are intended to prevent a fire fighter
  from falling out of a jump seat.
• However, these devices do not substitute for
  safety procedures that require fire fighters to
  ride in enclosed positions secured by an approved
  restraint system.

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Ensure

• Fully enclosed seating is provided for all
  members riding on the fire apparatus.
• Warning lights meet the current standard.
• Reflective striping meets the current standard.
• Slip resistance of walking surfaces and handrails
  meets the current standard.
• Ground and step lights meet the current standard.
  
• Noise levels in the driving and crew
  compartment(s) meet the current standard.
• Tires and suspension are in serviceable
  condition.
• All horns and sirens are relocated from the roof
  to a position as low and as far forward as
  possible.
• Seat belts are available for every seat and are
  new or in serviceable condition.
• Sign plates are present stating no riding on open
  areas.
• All loose equipment in the driving and crew areas
  is securely mounted to prevent its movement in
  case of an accident.

42
Case Study 4Volunteer Assistant Chief is Struck
and Killed at Road Construction Site - Minnesota
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Recommendation 4.1 Fire departments should
ensure that fire apparatus are positioned to
protect fire fighters from traffic.

• As stated in NFPA 1451 (8.1.4.1), fire service
  vehicles shall be utilized as a shield from
  oncoming traffic whenever possible.
• Apparatus should be angled on the roadway to
  create a physical barrier between the work area
  and approaching traffic.
• Emergency personnel should stay within the
  shadow created by the blocking apparatus at all
  times.
• Forward-facing lights such as headlights should
  be turned off to prevent distracting motorists
  traveling in the opposite direction.

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Recommendation 4.2 Fire departments should
establish, implement, and enforce standard
operating procedures (SOPs) regarding safe work
practices while responding to calls in or near
moving traffic.

• Fire fighters working in or near moving traffic
  are in danger of being struck by motor vehicles.
  Department SOPs can help establish safe work
  practices in such situations.
• SOPs should include, but not be limited to, the
  following
• positioning apparatus to provide a physical
  barrier between responders and moving traffic,
  operating defensively (e.g., never turn your back
  on traffic when working in a non-secure area),
• methods to establish a secure work area,
  releasing the scene back to normal operation, and
  wearing appropriate personal protective apparel.

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Recommendation 4.3 Fire departments should
train personnel in safe procedures for operating
in or near moving traffic.

• Emergency responders should operate defensively
  with an awareness of the high risk associated
  with working in or near moving traffic.
• Training should include, but not be limited to,
  positioning apparatus to create a physical
  barrier between traffic and the work area, and
  wearing helmets and high-visibility safety
  apparel at all times.
• Because each incident varies, all emergency
  responders should have ongoing, appropriate,
  task-specific training.

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Recommendation 4.4 Fire departments should
ensure that when operating at an emergency scene,
personnel wear high-visibility safety apparel
suitable to the incident, such as highly-visible,
reflectorized flaggers vest (e.g., strong
yellow-green or orange).

• Personnel working in or around moving traffic
  need to be highly visible, especially at night.
• Personnel working in such settings are considered
  highway workers by the Department of
  Transportation (DOT) and, thus, fall under the
  Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
  regulations.
• Section 6E.02 of the MUTCD describes
  high-visibility clothing requirements.

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VFIS Recommends

• The Volunteer Firemens Insurance Services (VFIS)
  recommends the following specific practices for
  controlled intersections such as existed in this
  incident (those controlled by a stop sign, yield
  sign, or yellow or red traffic lights)
• Scan the intersection for possible hazards, e.g.,
  right turns on red and vehicles traveling fast.
  Do not rely on warning devices to clear traffic.
• Begin to slow down well before reaching the
  intersection and continue to scan in all
  directions.
• Change the siren cadence at least 200 feet from
  the intersection.
• Scan the intersection for possible passing
  options avoiding the use of the opposing traffic
  lane if possible.
• If the driver cannot account for traffic in all
  lanes in an intersection, he/she should bring the
  vehicle to a complete stop.
• Establish eye contact with other vehicle drivers.
  

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Additional Focus Needed on

• Physical Fitness
• Training

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Physical Fitness
Our Number One Killer.. ..Only YOU can change
it!!!
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Physical Fitness

• Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer!
• Exercise 30 minutes a day.
• Assess your own weaknesses and work to improve
  them.
• Diet plays a part.
• Stay hydrated.
• Support / encourage each others fitness goals.

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Training

• Practice Like You Play
• Engage in ALL Rules

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Training

• Training is vital to safety and success.
• Assess your weakness and address them.
• Strive to learn new things every day.
• Critique emergency responses while they are still
  fresh in your mind.
• Share the training responsibility, you learn more
  as a teacher than as a student.
• Train, train, train

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Summary

• Firefighter deaths are at an unacceptable level.
• You can work to change that
• Identify risks and work to reduce them.
• SOPs Develop them, Follow them, Train on them.
• Strive to improve your fitness level.
• Train, Train, Train
• Make a promise
• Everyone Goes Home!

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TEEX and all other State Agencies in the Texas
Fire Service encourage you to spread the word
promote this safety awareness program.
Everyone Goes Home
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Information available at

• www.teex.com/esti
• www.iafc.org/standdown
• www.everyonegoeshome.com
• www.nvfc.org
• www.healthy-firefighter.org
• www.respondersafety.com
• www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire
• www.usfa.fema.gov
• www.vfis.com
• www.nvfc.org/evsp

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Thank You Be Safe..

• TEEX / ESTI
• 979.845.7641 or 866.878.8900
• www.teex.com/esti