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Leadership

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Leadership; It certainly isn’t about the number of bars or collar brass horns you have on your collar, the color of your helmet, or the “title” you have. Although there are many who would argue that point and feel that they are THE Leader specificially because they DO have the title, rank and brass. Some do and some don’t, stop and think about those that do (and why) and those that do not (and why)…..

An interesting take on leadership came from the acclaimed cinema Director Robert Altman’s 2006 Lifetime Achievement Oscar acceptance speech, in which he stated simply; “The director allows an actor to become more than they’ve ever dreamed of being.”

How do you think this applies to the Fire Service?

Take a few minutes to look at management guru Tom Peter’s video on The Definition of Leadership.

The transcript of the Tom Peters video clip is available HERE.

Some Leadership Definitions HERE.

What are your definitions of leadership?
Where does your Leadership start and stop?
What about those around you?

Posted by Christopher Naum on May 20, 2009 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , ,

Intentional Fires Report 2003-2006

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An NFPA analysis on intentional fires reported to municipal fire departments during 2003-2006. Includes information on structure, vehicle, and outside intentional fires, when and where these fires occur, and arrest and clearance information.

In 2003-2006, an estimated 316,610 intentional fires were reported to U.S. fire departments, annually. The 316,610 intentional fires were associated with losses of 437 civilian fire deaths, 1,404 civilian fire injuries, and $1.1 billion in direct property damage. In 2006, 10 firefighters died and 7,200 firefighters were injured, while on duty, at the scene of or during response to intentional fires.

In 2007, 18% of arson offenses were cleared by arrest or exceptional means.
NFPA Report HERE,

Posted by Christopher Naum on May 18, 2009 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , ,

Engineered Lumber ID Program: Enhancing Firefighter Safety, One Step at a Time

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The City of Greencastle, Indiana and the Greencastle Fire Department recently enacted and approved an Engineered Lumber ID Program consisting of a sticker that is used for quick recognization of potential Collapse Dangers associated with Engineered Lumber constructed buildings. The sticker is placed on every electrical meter of all residential & commercial buildings with Engineered Lumber construction built after May 13th 2008.

The news release states that; the use of this type of lumber in building construction presents a great danger to firefighting personnel when those structures are involved in fire conditions. By design, the Engineered Lumber in floor and roof assemblies will collapse, without warning, after being exposed to heat or flame contact for a very short period of time.
Because of the inherent danger firefighters must face while operating within these buildings, an Engineered Lumber Identification Program (ELIP) has been instituted to alert personnel of the danger prior to beginning fire suppression operations.

The Engineered Lumber Identification Program is intended to alert the members of the Greencastle Fire Department with pertinent pre-plan information before firefighting forces are committed to an interior attack. The sticker is unobtrusive and is placed directly on a meter box, for example, and alerts the FD if either the floor joists and/or the trusses are made of and Engineered Lumber System and materials. The fire officers are already checking the utility boxes on all fires as part of their initial size-up. The ELIP shall be an ongoing program applied to all residential & commercial buildings inspected by the Greencastle Fire Department.

ORDINANCE 2008 – 4 states; AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING A REFLECTIVE SYMBOL ON STRUCTURES USING ENGINEERED LUMBER

WHEREAS, many new building structures currently use engineered lumber in their construction;
WHEREAS, some types of engineered lumber burn at a rate faster that other types of lumber; and
WHEREAS, in fighting fires, it would be helpful to know the types of materials used in the construction of a structure.

NOW THEREFORE be it ordained by the Common Council of the City of Greencastle as follows:
1. Definitions:
a. Engineered Lumber shall mean prefabricated I-joists, truss joists, and truss rafters, and laminated beams and studs.
b. Structure shall mean primary, secondary and accessory structures as defined in the Greencastle Zoning Code that have electrical meters that serve the structure.
2. All structures constructed with engineered lumber after the effective date of this ordinance must have a reflective symbol affixed to each electrical meter serving the structure.
3. The reflective symbol shall be in the form of a sticker, issued by the City of Greencastle that states that the structure is constructed with engineered lumber
4. Any person violating this ordinance by refusing to use the reflective symbol or by removing the reflective symbol shall be subject to a fine in an amount of $25.00 per violation. Each day that a violation occurs shall constitute a separate violation, subject to a separate fine.
5. The owner of any structure that was constructed with engineered lumber prior to the effective date of this ordinance is requested to place the reflective symbol on the electrical meter serving the structure on a voluntary basis.

This is another great example how local level insights, actions and legislation can go a long way in supporting fire service operational challanges as they relate to building construction systems, methodologies and materials. Remember, We can certainly work diligently AND cooperativley with local government officials to enhance incident operations and make our jobs safety, one step at a time….

For additional information on the Fire Department’s efforts in Greencastle, IN contact Lt. John Shafer, Lieutenant/Training Officer HERE.

For additonal information on other efforts that have been instituted nationally in other jurisdictions, check out a previous posting of mine on Truss Systems Placards For Firefighter Safety from Across the United States, HERE. It will provide you with a number of examples and links of different placarding and signage systems across the United States.

An invaluable free on-line training program on Structural Stability of Engineered Lumber in Fire Conditions – is available from UL, check HERE for further information.

The 2006 NIOSH LODD Report HERE

http://www.blogger.com/img/videoplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fvp.video.google.com%2Fvideodownload%3Fversion%3D0%26secureurl%3DqAAAAHfApvOOOB_WlESfHfM9b00EaB5iqTOgDk0j1naLLWLm1Zzi26PadOk4bizFlnXp0gjGbZcarsat7UvD3HaFsuw-2vaDRU4jvB-4bl6CShoRiGIXXgktu6oKRd9LPzue3kQ9IEI7QLcubbLE4uzHggz13WUmC2PVdgWMHuNfTs8S3FlAiJD61LtBEJFsu73V3exjvS8UQyGrwegQ0F6pNATji_BLUNlbkitmwbdJGs3E%26sigh%3Dt1M9yKhymImXDY5PA7jjnj1LFeE%26begin%3D0%26len%3D86400000%26docid%3D0&nogvlm=1&thumbnailUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2FThumbnailServer2%3Fapp%3Dblogger%26contentid%3D70eb3fe5759f7438%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw320%26sigh%3Dyo5ryvO2YDc2ybBAiqUIbIIA9Ro&messagesUrl=video.google.com%2FFlashUiStrings.xlb%3Fframe%3Dflashstrings%26hl%3Den
Video On the New Program

Posted by Christopher Naum on May 17, 2009 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

NFPA Vacant Buildings Fire Report

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NFPA Vacant Buildings Fire Report issued by the Fire Analysis and Research Division.

Executive Summary
Fires in vacant buildings have become a matter of increasing concern as the economy has weakened. In 2003-2006, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 31,000 structure fires in vacant buildings per year.

These fires resulted in an average of 50 civilian deaths, 141 civilian injuries, and $642 million in direct property damage per year. Based on annual averages for 2003-2006, the 31,000 reported vacant structure fires accounted for 6% of the 520,100 structure fires, 2% of the 3,125 civilian structure fire deaths, 1% of the 15,200 civilian structure fire injuries, and 7% of the $9.0 billion in direct property loss. These statistics are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments based on the detailed information collected in Version 5.0 of the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS 5.0) and the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA’s) annual fire department experience survey.

Vacant building fires increased by 2% from 31,900 in 2005 to 32,700 in 2006. The increase was similar to the 3% increase in all structure fires. Fires in vacant homes increased more than vacant building fires overall. Vacant home fires increased 11% from 18,900 in 2005 to 21,000 in 2006 compared to a 4% increase in overall home fires during the same period.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s Housing Vacancy Survey found that the number of vacant housing units grew by 5% from 15.7 million in 2005 to 16.4 million in 2006, by 7% from 2006 to 17.7 million in 2007, and by 6% from 2007 to 18.7 million units in 2008. During 2003-2006, 63% of the reported vacant building fires occurred in homes, including 58% in one-or two-family dwellings and 5% in apartments or multiple family properties. Home fires overall (including both vacant and occupied), accounted for 73% of reported structure fires during this time.

Vacant buildings should be secured and combustible materials removed. Section 10.13 of the 2009 edition of NFPA® 1, Fire Code requires owners or those in charge of vacant properties to remove waste and combustible materials and to secure the building to prevent unauthorized people from entering. Fire protection systems are to be maintained unless the authority having jurisdiction grants permission to have them removed from service.

Despite these requirements, half of the reported vacant building fires were in properties that were unsecured. Automatic extinguishing equipment was found in only 2% of vacant building fires. The equipment operated in two-thirds (68%) of fires considered large enough to activate the equipment, but failed to operate in 31%. In 82% of the fires in which the equipment failed to operate, the system had been shut off. Fires in vacant buildings pose a danger to the neighborhood. Flame damage spread beyond the structure in 9% of the fires in secured vacant properties and 12% of unsecured properties, compared to only 3% of structure fires overall.

Fires in vacant buildings are more likely to have been intentionally set than other structure fires. Forty-three percent of reported vacant building fires during this period were intentionally set, compared to 10% of structure fires overall. Vacant buildings accounted for 25% of all intentionally set structure fires. Intentional fires were much more common in unsecured vacant properties (57%) than in those that had been secured (31%).

Other leading causes of vacant building fires were exposure to other fires (8%), heating equipment (also 8%), electrical distribution or lighting equipment (7%), cooking equipment (5%), someone, typically a child, playing with heat source (4%), and smoking materials (3%). When equipment is listed as the cause of the fire, it means that the equipment provided the heat that started the fire.

It does not mean that the equipment malfunctioned or failed. Hot embers and ashes were the most common heat source in vacant building fires. Vacant building fires are more common on weekends and less common between 6:00 a.m. and noon. Vacant building fires were spread out throughout the year, but certain holidays with some more raucous traditions stand out. The four peak days were July 4, July 5, January 1, and October 31. Vacant building fires pose a threat to firefighters.

During the ten-year period 1998-2007, a total of 15 firefighters were fatally injured at the scene of vacant structure fires. On average, 4,500 firefighters were injured at vacant building fires annually during 2003-2006. These account for 13% of the reported firefighter injuries incurred at structure fires per year during this period.

InterFire has a number of resources related to vacant building fires and fire prevention on its website at http://www.interfire.org/features/vacantbuildings.asp, including a draft ordinance to address blight. The best way to prevent vacant building fires is to prevent vacant buildings.

The National Vacant Properties Campaign’s website http://vacantproperties.org/strategies/tools.html describes a number of strategies to address the problem of vacant properties and provides examples of how these strategies have been used. Based on the findings of the Urban Fire Safety Project, NFPA recommends that local fire departments and the national fire service partner with financial institutions and other organizations to prevent home foreclosures and home abandonment.”

Vacant building arson is also addressed in the Arson Prevention PowerPoint Presentation developed by NFPA and Columbus Division of Fire. The presentation, intended for use by local fire departments and community organizations is available at http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/Public%20Education/NFPAarsonpresentation.ppt.

For more information go to the NFPA web Site HERE

Posted by Christopher Naum on May 14, 2009 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , ,

Superman,Ironman,Batman,Fireman…Human

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Superman, Ironman, Batman, Fireman, Human…We have a tendency- at times to momentarily lapse in recognizing we “Fireman” (and this is related to all gender of firefighters) are Human. Everyday, firefighters throughout America and the world perform extraordinary feats of bravery and heroism, much of it unheralded, unnoticed and underappreciated. It’s part of our job, it’s what we do, after all, we are fireman (firefighters).

We know. Our companies know, and more importantly our “families” know; who we are and what we do. We perform the job that we swore an oath to uphold, we learned of the traditions of the service that we came to embrace; we learned our responsibilities, our job and the measures that sometimes need to be taken.

There has been plenty of banter over the past few weeks related to the diversity of conventional wisdom related to what a firefighter is made of, the mettle that separate those that choose the virtues of suppression versus those that profess a safer cultural demeanor.

We are all firefighters in the truest sense of the word when we choose to wear the badge; to donn our protective equipment and step off the apparatus and into a burning structure in order to undertake the measures and demands required of us; at that moment, at that time and place and under the circumstances that will clearly dictate the path of our destiny, duty, courage, honor and fortitude.

Do the Job, push the envelope; for the right reasons, for the right cause and the most noblest of circumstances. Do it for the right reasons-BUT don’t do it for the entertainment. Accept personal accountability and responsibility. Understand your limitations.

Remember, it is about the public we serve AND our “families”. Take a moment to listen to the words in the NFFF, EGH program video. Think about your accountability, responsibility and safety, while doing The Best Job in the world.

We are Fireman and yes at times we are Superman, but above all, we are still Human. Stay safe to fight that next fire, to answere that next alarm on another day….

Posted by Christopher Naum on May 9, 2009 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

There are NO Routine Calls

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http://www.blogger.com/img/videoplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fvp.video.google.com%2Fvideodownload%3Fversion%3D0%26secureurl%3DqAAAAKXn9zyzXTyW6NoE_4ojujpCcNk–Eka9cj6vL_U3qHanrwscOGzfZuh08OF6qkR6kW9Jc_R_JBEG13KvX92PowsfusPMeTzVF4rVddN4O1uKs1QVKrFdkPgkoA0QnBemSmWWV8LrUvJLYbZzbhQ9cxjlZ9YqtN9YbYoi8FTOYpnb77jcm-FBoAojURgBy1hIluwsqpdNZIMyePaXKPYIKSHrdl0Gl3Ehc4RubOXbBRp%26sigh%3DDmU6f34sLsc9sWYhKeA0EqlRZ2c%26begin%3D0%26len%3D86400000%26docid%3D0&nogvlm=1&thumbnailUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2FThumbnailServer2%3Fapp%3Dblogger%26contentid%3D308c77b1506fe63b%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw320%26sigh%3DVXx_5kQaxJGg3jH-_5EcxU7ZQy8&messagesUrl=video.google.com%2FFlashUiStrings.xlb%3Fframe%3Dflashstrings%26hl%3DenThe adage that the fire service has more recently adopted states; “There are no “routine”calls”; referring to the safety consciousness that all responding companies should endeavor to consider when responding to an incident, that all too often appears; upon our arrival to be routine in every sense of the word. Whether it’s an alarm system activation, a report of food on the stove, or a report of a smoke detector alarming, we have a tendency to treat a lot of things as equal an very routine, based upon the periodicity and frequency of the alarm type and the typical inconsequential nature of the incident outcome.

This was far from it on Thursday May 7th, when Prince George’s County, Maryland, Firefighter/Medics were dispatched on a call that no one is soon to forget. Firefighters were alerted to respond to the Penn-Mar Shopping Center, a large 1-story strip mall, in the 3400 Block of Donnell Drive in Forestville and arrived at 12:59 PM.First arriving crews initiated an investigation into a strong odor of natural gas inside the businesses.

Firefighters evacuated 5 of the 6 stores that were in the area of the odor, a sixth store was vacant. Forty-five people were evacuated from the 5 stores and firefighters then started ventilation efforts and called for assistance of the Washington Gas Company.Firefighters discovered natural gas bubbling up from the ground on the exterior rear of the vacant store and minutes later reported that there was a fire on the interior.

Within a minute, at about 1:20 PM, a massive explosion occurred. A MAYDAY call was sounded and additional resources including paramedics and a second alarm assignment.

Go HERE, HERE and HERE for additional photos and incident details. More follow up HERE at STATter911, Map HERE and Audio HERE

The video clearly depicts the unassuming conditions prior to the explosion, which is quickly followed by the explosion and debris flying and subsequent fire ball. Large plate glass windows blew shattered glass and other debris 60-70 feet into the front parking lot, the roof assembly appeared to have been lifted up and then fell back into place and the rear brick and block wall was completely blown out. Firefighters were in the direct line of the explosion and suffered burns and injuries from flying debris.

Firefighters were wearing their personal protective gear which is believed to have minimized injuries. A total of eight firefighters sustained a variety of injuries ranging from lacerations to second degree burns. Four Firefighters were transported to the Washington Hospital Center Burn Unit where two were treated and released and two were admitted for additional treatment.

The lessons here are clear. Use your personal protective equipment effectively; don’t assume the routine nature of a given alarm will always result in a routine outcome. A good safety drill sheet for gas leak OPS from FFClosecalls.com HERE

Use the STAR method- Stop, Think, Act and Review.

Assume, “what’s the worst that can happen?”, and consider the options available to you as an incident command, company officer or as part of an operating team in your dynamic risk assessment and incident action planning. Stay safe out there in the streets today….

Follow-Up Breaking News: Six firefighters and one police officer were injured in an explosion in Providence RI on Saturday May 9th, when a blast happened around 12:30 a.m. on Pavillion Avenue in the city. companies were responding to a car that crashed into the front of an apartment complex. The Providence Fire Department said crews smelled a gas leak when they arrived at the scene of the crash. Just moments after firefighters shut off the gas line, something caused the explosion. One firefighter was thrown into the street and others were hurt when debris fell on top of them.

Posted by Christopher Naum on May 9, 2009 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

The Next Step; Size-up Must Evolve into Dynamic Management of Risk during Fire Attack

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The Next Step; Size-up must evolve into dynamic management of risk during fire attack

The continuing emphasis on improving our safety culture and the reemergence of “safety” as a strategic pillar is evident in current fire service operations and initiatives. The 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives (LSIs), first developed in 2004, provide a basis to further refine and improve areas of fireground operations. The LSIs have refocused attention on fire service practices and culture, which have, at times, demonstrated an indifference toward safety, including the management of risk at the command level. But despite the LSIs and other efforts, incident commanders (ICs) still employ inconsistent practices and exhibit cultural indifference related to the management of risk during structural fire suppression.


The Rearview Mirror
In 1952, Chief Lloyd Layman first published “Fundamentals of Firefighting Tactics,” in which he presented the formulative principles of fireground size-up—the foundation of risk management in the fire service today. Chief Layman stated, “Size-up is the mental evaluation made by the incident commander, which enables the IC to determine the course of action and to accomplish the mission.” Size-up factors were subsequently expanded to include facts, probabilities, situation, decisions, plans and operations. ICs primarily made decisions based on what they
knew about fire behavior in certain types of construction and occupancies; they used this information to determine fire suppression needs, resources and operational deployment.

The ensuing “war years” of the mid-1960s through the 1970s, firefighting size-up and structural fire engagement continued to place an emphasis and acceptability on aggressive interior operations, at times directly opposed to qualitative size-up risk indicators that suggested marginal or defensive operating profiles. In other words, we continued to promote and justify interior operations, in the face of high-risk operations.

These aggressive firefighting doctrines translated into the operational culture we struggle to modify today. Through several common themes, size-up and risk began to be related to building construction.
Examples include: Brannigan: “The Building Is the Enemy” (1971);
Dunn: “No Building Is Worth the Life of a Firefighter” (1985);
Brunacini: “We Will Risk” Doctrine (1985);
Brennan: “Make the Building Behave” (1995);
IAFC: “Risk Assessment & Rules of Engagement” (2001);
Goldfeder: “Everyone Goes Home” (2001); and
NFFF: 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives (2004).

As a result of these concepts, long-held beliefs and established tactics began to be questioned. Risk/benefit, safety, assessment, and firefighter injury and LODD reduction were introduced into the size-up formula.

Today, we’re at a crossroads when it comes to risk management on the fireground. The risk-preferring traditional practices are being reassessed in today’s fire service at the command and company level. Size-up has evolved into “fireground risk assessment and management.”

Size-Up Isn’t Enough
Changes in building construction, occupancy profiles, materials and construction assemblies and systems make a “traditional” size-up inadequate for effectively managing risk on today’s fireground. Fire behavior principles from the last 75 years are no longer valid. The predictability of performance within our buildings and occupancies is significantly
challenged in today’s fireground setting. Although size-up has helped us manage risk to some
degree, significant cultural and technological impediments to firefighter safety still exist.

These include:
• Modern building construction is not predictable;
• Command and company officer technical knowledge may be diminished or deficient;
• Technological advancements in construction and materials have exceeded conventional fire suppression practices;
• Some fire suppression tactics are faulty or inappropriate, requiring innovative models and methods;
• We don’t consider redundancy in firefighting operations;
• Fire dynamics and behavior aren’t being effectively considered during fireground size-up;
• Risk management is either not practiced or is willfully ignored during most incident operations; and
• Some departments or officers show an indifference to safety and risk management.

Stop the Entertainment
But there’s another factor contributing to unsafe practices, one that we rarely talk about. In short, we need to stop “entertaining” ourselves during fire suppression operations and instead focus on comprehending and reacting to evolving risks.

What do I mean by “entertaining” ourselves? Rather than practicing appropriate risk management, I believe many individuals employ adverse behaviors that occur on a tactical level while ICs believe firefighters are completing their assigned tasks, thus compromising accountability.

These behaviors include:

• Tactical amusement: engaging in any practice or tactic during fire suppression, support tasks or operations that places personnel at risk for the sake of entertainment.
• Tactical diversion: diverting from an assignment while engaging in fire suppression, support tasks or operations in such a way that places personnel at risk.
• Tactical circumvention: deliberately “getting around” an assignment or disregarding risk assessment and incident action plans.

If we’re going to reduce firefighter injuries and deaths, we must be doing the right thing, at the right time, for the right reasons, and in the right place. We must stop the entertainment.

Dynamic Risk Assesment
Fortunately, there is a strategy to help us overcome the limits of the traditional size-up: dynamic risk assessment, a continuous process of identifying hazards and taking action to eliminate them. The IC employing dynamic risk assessment doesn’t complete a size-up, form a plan and move on. They constantly monitor and review the fireground conditions, which are usually in a rapidly changing state, and they adjust
their plan accordingly. The management of dynamic risk comes down to effective, informed and decisive action during all phases of an incident.

Within the dynamic risk assessment model, two concepts stand out: risk recognition and communication of risk. All command and supervisory personnel and their operating companies must be able to recognize and appreciate the risks present at an incident. At the same time, they must be able to communicate what they see. Unlike conventional size-up, dynamic risk management requires a fluid flow and integration of observations throughout the command structure up to the IC level.

In Sum
The demands and requirements of modern firefighting will continue to require the
placement of personnel within situations and buildings that carry risk, uncertainty and inherent danger. As a result, risk management must become fluid and integrate all personnel. We must manage dynamic risks with a balanced approach of effective assessment, analysis and probability within
command decision making that results in safety conscious strategies and tactics.

Posted by Christopher Naum on May 3, 2009 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

The Opposing Spectrum of Fire Service Safety Culture

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The Evolving Fire Service Safety Culture lies somewhere between two conflicting and opposing spectrums, marked by traditionalist emotions and conservative perspectives.It’s all about firefighter safety, survivability and doing the “job”; however we need to identify the common defining ground..

Let me offer this for consideration around the table today;

Aggressive: Assertive, bold, and energetic, forceful, determined, confident, marked by driving forceful energy or initiative, marked by combative readiness, assured, direct, dominate…

Measured: Calculated; deliberate, careful; restrained, think, considered, confident, alternatives, reasoned actions, in control, self assured, calm…

The shifting paradigms of the fire service, over 1484 LODD in the period of 1999-2009, evolved building construction, occupancies, construction and materials, fire behavior, fire loading, community profiles, fire dynamics, risk, staffing and resource levels, personnel and skills sets…

What’s the optimum definition that would define a highly skilled, knowledgeable and dedicated firefighter in 2009? Where do you fit in?

Posted by Christopher Naum on May 3, 2009 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

Fire Service Safety, Extinguishment, Tradition, Culture

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Must read postings related to Fire Service Safety Culture versus the Culture of Extinguishment…Read on

Follow the Yellow Brick Road By Chief Art Goodrich

Borrowing and paraphrasing a comment made by FDNY Lt. Ray McCormack, I would wonder in his safety culture if I were the Cowardly Lion for a lack of courage, the Tin Man for lack of a heart or the Scarecrow for lack of a brain. I would think maybe some of all three, but this I know: Last week at FDIC, in just under 40 minutes, Safety in the fire service took a major hit.From the opening salvo delivered by Chief Bobby Halton to his “body-burying buddy”, FDNY Lt. Ray McCormack; disdain, indifference and apathy for a safer fire service was never more evident. And clearly, I will respectfully disagree with their messages in this year of personal responsibility for safety.

This I want to die with my boots on mentality in the fire service is killing us. I cannot recall one incident where SAFETY killed one of us at an incident. So, it is Safety that is our only hope for reducing injuries and deaths; both firefighter AND civilian.

http://thekitchentable.firerescue1.com/2009/04/follow-yellow-safety-brick-road.html

Firefighter Hourly’s Jay Lowry view points

Ray McCormack’s FDIC speech certainly seems to have split opinion across the fire service. Art Goodrich offered his take earlier on TKT. Fellow Kitchen Tabler and FR1 columnist Jay Lowry over at his FirefighterHourly blog gives a different perspective in the following post:

“When Lt. Ray McCormack stated the fire service was wrong in placing the lives of firefighters above the lives of civilians at FDIC the remarks found firefighters scratching their heads.However, to his credit, the Lieutenant said what needed to be said.

In departments nationwide safety is a concern but in some the emphasis on safety detracts from their ability to do the job effectively. This isn’t what firefighters are trained to do nor is it healthy for operations. In fact, an emphasis on safety can put firefighters in unsafe positions due to a timid approach.

http://thekitchentable.firerescue1.com/2009/04/ray-mccormacks-fdic-speech-certainly.html

Chief Mick Mayer’s: Let’s Talk Unemotionally About this

While I have been pursuing the discussion only peripherally as I have been very busy lately, I noted an undertone of something that I guess has nagged at me for quite some time. After thinking about it for a few days, I realized that the issues could actually be approached from a very pragmatic view that I posted at Firehouse Zen today.

Let’s just clarify some statements. I was not at FDIC for the big discussion, so I am only acting on what I am reading. But let’s just say that the argument that some organizations are too worried about safety and are not pursuing fires aggressively enough, and are therefore doing a disservice to their communities is a valid one. And let’s also bring into play another thing I keep hearing, that it is ridiculous to refer to the people we serve as “customers”, as also valid, although I think that customers is a better term for them than some of the other names I have called them under my breath at 0400. But I digress.

So then, what are they? Well, I guess the best thing to say is that they are “taxpayers”. After all, our service is largely supported by tax revenue in one way or another, so I think that is probably a pretty accurate definition, although I could argue that some of them aren’t paying taxes and maybe should be deserving of no service, but then again, I digress. Let’s say that even in a community that supports a robust volunteer response agency by way of donations only, the citizens and other potential users are in some form or fashion, paying for a service in which they expect some competency, timeliness, and efficiency.
Continue Reading Let’s Talk Unemotionally About It

http://thekitchentable.firerescue1.com/search/label/truck6alpha

Chief Ben Waller’s Extinguishment Culture or Safety Culture – Smart Fire Departments can have BOTH!

If you have a personal or departmental “Extinguishment Culture”, would you grab a line and enter this flashed over abandoned house that is showing signs of impending collapse? If you have a personal or departmental “Safety Culture”, would you wear your SCBA , a traffic safety vest, and crank a PPV fan while sitting in the rig a half-mile down the street? Chances are, if you are a U.S. firefighter, you’ll choose an option somewhere in between the two extremes.

In his recent FDIC speech, Lt. Ray McCormack, made some statements that have, to say the least, generated a great deal of controversy in the U.S. fire service. His comments in favor of an “Extinguishment Culture” and against a “Safety Culture” in particular have stimulated a lot of thought, comment, disagreement, and counter-disagreement. Art “ChiefReason” Goodrich, in particular, blogged a sharp and well-articulated counterpoint to Lt. McCormack’s thoughts, here.

http://thekitchentable.firerescue1.com/2009/05/extinguishment-culture-or-safety.html

Chief Art Zern’s Take Risk or Write it Off, Part 2

Back in January, I wrote a blog post asking the questi
on, “Can we establish a common understanding of risk? Or.. should we write it off?” Because my tongue was planted firmly in my cheek when I posed the question, I don’t want the point to be missed. I believe our duty to ourselves and our beloved fire service cannot be separated from our duty to the citizens we are sworn to and are obligated to protect. What is good for us is good for them.

My question is, are we seeing this trend to “let it burn” because we have given-up the fight to provide our members with all of those things that are necessary to provide effective and efficient fire and rescue services? Have we rolled-over, bent-over and given up our hopes to provide excellent service and the ability to accurately assess risk?

Have we allowed those that seek to undermine our mission to gain a foot-hold? Have we become complacent because we don’t believe it can or will happen today? Are the enemies of the fire service going to be allowed to dismantle our combat readiness to the point where the easy or only option is to “let it burn”?

When you have a few minutes, please view the FDIC keynote speech given by Lt. Ray McCormack. It was indeed an honor for me to be present as Lt. McCormack delivered a passionate plea to the fire service, to keep fire in our lives. I couldn’t agree more and as the saying goes, Ray’s speech spoke to me. Rather than commenting on or adding to Ray’s speech, I’ll let it stand on its own as a clarion call to the American fire service. We can’t allow the “safety experts” that promote the “let it burn” philosophy to convince firefighters that we should place our safety and our lives above the lives of our citizens.

http://community.fireengineering.com/profiles/blog/show?id=1219672%3ABlogPost%3A137785

Chief Pete Lamb’s “The Speech..”

There is a whole bunch of banter going on in the Internet world about the FDIC speech of FDNY Lt. Ray McCormack. I am a little late getting to this but I wanted to throw my two cents in about this issue.These thoughts are in no particular order and just represent what I think I heard in replaying it a couple of times.I am going to use the phrase ” I think I heard” in the points listed below. It does not represent the actual quotes that the Lt. used it is my impression and opinion of those points. (Official disclaimer, no flaming emails please ! (grin)

http://thekitchentable.firerescue1.com/search/label/petelamb

Chief Ed Hartin; Culture of Safety or Culture of Extinguishment

I had intended to write today’s post simply about the IFE Compartment Firefighting Special Interest Group in Sydney, Australia. However, the recent keynote presentation at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) by FDNY Lieutenant Ray McCormack claiming the fire service needs a “culture of extinguishment not safety” cannot pass without comment.
I wonder how much of the commentary on the web is based on quotations pulled from LT McCormack’s Keynote Presentation or simply extension of comments by others. If you want to know what he said, listen to his entire presentation.

Too Much Safety
I disagree with much, but not all of what LT McCormack had to say. One of the memorable quotes from this speech is “Too much safety makes Johnny a poor leader and a terrible rescuer.” What does this really mean?

http://cfbt-us.com/wordpress/?p=477

Posted by Christopher Naum on May 3, 2009 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

2009 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week

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Protect Yourself: Your Safety, Health and Survival Are Your Responsibility
June 14-20, 2009


Plan, get involved, engaged and take responsibility….

Protect Yourself: Your Safety, Health and Survival Are Your Responsibility encourages chiefs and fire/EMS personnel to focus on what they personally can do to manage risk and enhance their health and safety. This year’s theme reflects the need for personal responsibility and accountability within a strong safety culture.

Recommended activities and materials will incorporate four key areas where standard operating procedures, policies and initiatives—along with the training and enforcement that support them—can limit fire/EMS personnel’s risk of injury or death:

Safety: Emergency Driving (enough is enough—end senseless deaths)

  • Lower speeds—stop racing to the scene. Drive safely and arrive alive to help others.
  • Utilize seat belts—never drive or ride without them.
  • Stop at every intersection—look in all directions and then proceed in a safe manner.

Health: Fire Fighter Heart Disease and Cancer Education and Prevention

  • Don’t smoke or use tobacco products.
  • Get active.
  • Eat a heart-healthy diet.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Get regular health screenings.

Survival: Structural Size-Up and Situational Awareness

  • Keep apprised of different types of building materials and construction used in your community.
  • Develop a comprehensive size-up checklist.
  • Always complete a 360° walk of the structure to collect valuable, operational decision-making information.
  • Learn the practice of reading smoke.
  • Be familiar with the accepted rules of engagement.
  • Learn your accountability system and use it.
  • Master your tools and equipment.
  • Remain calm and concentrate.

Chiefs: Be the Leader in Safety

  • Become personally engaged in safety and make it part of your strategic vision for the department.
  • Be willing to make the tough decisions regarding safety policies and practices and their implementation.
  • Hold members of the organization accountable for their safety and the safety of those with whom they work.
  • Ensure that resources are available to accomplish activities safely and effectively.

The IAFC encourages all fire/EMS departments to devote this week to reviewing safety policies, evaluating the progress of existing initiatives and discussing health and fitness. Fire/EMS departments should make a concerted effort during the week to correct safety deficiencies and to provide training as needed. An entire week is provided to ensure that each shift and duty crew can spend one day focusing on fire fighter safety, health and survival.

Check out the details and resources HERE and HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE

Posted by Christopher Naum on May 3, 2009 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: , , ,

Risk versus Close Call, What are We Doing?

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Here’s one for timing. My recent post today on risk related to vacant or unoccupied structures…. Check out the series of photos for a close call incident involving a trailer fire, HERE. Photo sequence by Patrick Scott.

Again, the question before us; Why the risk, What’s the value, Who is looking out for our safety?Are we engaging in Tactical Entertainment….are we setting ourselves up for an injury or worst?

Posted by Christopher Naum on May 3, 2009 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , ,

What’s in The Cards Today?

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On any given day, we expect some fairly simple and basic things; Simple and basic from a firefighter’s perspective that is. We hope that we have a busy day, for the most part. That the alarms and incidents allow us to practice our skills and do what we do best. Deep down inside, we also hope that we have a good “job” come in.

Not that we hope or wish undue miss-fortune, distress or sorrow on anyone, but, IF a fire is going to happen, let it happen on my shift, my tour or while I’m at the firehouse and able to make the first-due. It’s a pretty fundamental hierarchy of need, and it’s what makes us tick at times. Because of who we are and what we do. Right?

The daily experience, expectations, our comfort zone; We’re Pretty Good At What We Do-Regularly….We Develop Profound Habits and Methods…We Treat a Lot of Things as Equal in May Respects…We’ve Grown Accustomed to Certain Operational Modes.

We don’t really think anything is going to happen to us, certainly nothing so adverse that I don’t go home after the call. Nothing is going to happen to YOU; it happens to someone else….BUT to everyone else-YOU are the other Guy!On any give day, at any give alarm, the dynamics around us at times are in or out of our control. We may not be able to see what the cards have in store for us, BUT we must ensure we use every bit of training, fortitude, knowledge, skills, courage, bravery, insights, luck and sometimes (other divine) intervention to get us through.

There have been a lot of bad things that have happened over the course of the past few weeks in the fire service, with the continuing trgic loss of brother firefighters in the line of duty, accidents, injuries and other situations both directly and indirectly.

Think about your actions, think about what you can do to make a difference or to alter or change the course of a situation. We sometimes have a greater hand in destiny and how the cards are dealt than we think. Be safe, have a great tour or stay at the firehouse today.

Posted by Christopher Naum on May 3, 2009 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Safety Considerations for Buildings of Ordinary and Heavy Timber Construction

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The recent structural collapse of a vacant five story building in the Tribeca section of New York City (lower Manhattan) brings to light the operational and safety issues affecting buildings of Ordinary (Type III) or Heavy Timber (Type IV) classified construction.There are a number of excellent lessons learned from Near Miss Reports found on the National Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System. The NFF NMRS’s 2009 calendar has a monthly theme related to a near miss event report and is supported by training and informational resources that provide expanded opportunities for training and insights.The theme for May is Structural Collapse. I developed a power point program and a supporting white paper that provides Operational and Safety Considerations for Buildings of Ordinary and Heavy Timber Construction. Check out the resources and download the program, it’ll provide you with some good safety insights and operational considerations.http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/data/Resources/Calendar/NMR%20May2009Narrative_naum.dochttp://www.firefighternearmiss.com/data/Resources/Other/MayModulePowerPoint09.ppt

Posted by Christopher Naum on May 3, 2009 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , , ,