Saving Firefighters from Themselves: New Year—New You

Saving Firefighters from Themselves: New Year—New You By: Demond Simmons, Oakland Fire Department The recent election of Donald J. Trump to replace outgoing President Barack H. Obama has caused a great amount of discussion globally—firehouses included. Now that the people have spoken through our democratic voting process, it is time to move forward and continue on with our daily responsibilities as company officers. As professional fire service personnel, we know that one of the most influential positions of power in the world has very little impact on what we do daily when the bell goes off in the fire station. As company officers, we will continue to train, supervise, and expect our people to provide a high level of service to the communities across the United States that we serve. Internationally, fire service personnel continue to provide invaluable contributions in the realm of prevention, response, and mitigation. Using data from NIOSH (1994 – present), we are on pace to record the lowest number of firefighter fatalities here in the United States. Internationally, the number of firefighters who have perished in the line of duty varied significantly from country to country. Between 2004 and 2013, 14 firefighters in the United Kingdom died in the line of the duty. In one blast incident in China, reportedly 88 firefighters were killed, while in Germany, nine firefighters died in the line of duty during a seven-year period beginning in 2005. Fire departments across the United Sates continue to employ alternative EMS models that are in line with the community para-medicine concept. UL and NIST continue to employ untiring efforts to educate us on modern fire behavior. Organizations such as the Boston Fire Department continue to recognize the importance of cancer prevention through awareness, education, and reengineering principles. As we prepare professionally for 2017, we must continue moving forward as educators, leaders, and innovators. What does that look like for the company officer:  Ensuring that our firefighters wear their SCBA’s from the beginning of the incident through property conservation and overhaul.  Ensuring that our firefighters doff their gear prior to getting back on the apparatus.  Ensuring that our firefighters wash their gear (including flash-hood) after every fire, and on a frequent basis.  Ensuring our crews are not only prepared mentally, but physically, and preparing ourselves like that of a professional athlete.  Using ICS on all incidents.  Employing rehabilitation and medical monitoring strategies at extended operations, and in elevated temperature environments.  Encouraging our firefighters to spend less time at the coffee table playing the role of mayor or fire chief—use that time to enhance knowledge, skills, and abilities germane to the profession.  Encouraging our firefighters to seek out certifications and college degrees.  Encouraging our firefighters to branch out and learn from other fire service personnel in different parts of the world—take on a global perspective.  Ensuring that seatbelts are worn by all individuals while the apparatus is moving.  Being kind to each other. As humans, we are all going through issues in our personnel and professional lives. PTSD is not just associated with the military—it is in our communities and in our profession.  Being consummate role models and keeping our younger firefighters engaged. The aforementioned list is not exhaustive; however, it is a tectonic list that if rigorously employed by the company officer, will allow us to realize a downward trend in occupational fatalities and cancer diagnoses in the fire service. Regardless of who is serving as our president, you (company officer) can and must ensure that the above are executed. Your firefighters are counting on you! Continue to remain a student of the profession