Let’s celebrate fire and life safety educators! Educators are key to the success of NFPA’s programs. That’s why NFPA’s “Educator of the Year” Award is so important. It gives educators the recognition they deserve for playing the lead role in making their communities safer.

Apply for the 2012 NFPA Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year Award (PDF, 615 KB). Deadline is February 24, 2012.

We are looking for fire and life safety educators who:

• work for a local fire department.
• use NFPA’s  Risk Watch®,  Learn Not to Burn®,  Remembering When^TM or Fire Prevention Week materials.
• use NFPA materials in a consistent and creative way.
• demonstrate excellence and innovation, reaching out to the community with NFPA materials.
• view NFPA as the source for safety information.

The “Educator of the Year” receives:

• $1,000 honorarium.
• travel to Las Vegas in June 2012 for an award presentation at the opening general session of the NFPA annual conference.

The local fire department receives:

• $1,000 donation to support public education activities.

2011 recipient
Maria Pelchar, inspector/fire and life safety educator with the Holyoke Fire Department in Holyoke, Massachusetts, has been named the 2011 Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year. For the past five years she has been introducing the Holyoke community to NFPA’s Learn Not to Burn® Preschool Program, Risk Watch®, and Remembering When™: A Fire an Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults. She also organizes Fire Prevention Week events.  Five days a week Maria visits the 21 schools in Holyoke, preschools, and older adult centers to teach fire safety.

Maria has implemented programs to train all preschool teachers, home day care owners, city workers, and agency representatives about fire prevention using NFPA materials. She has overseen a smoke alarm installation program for older adults, and safety fairs. With the ethnic makeup of Holyoke in mind, she designed a bilingual fire safety puppet show for children and adults. Maria was a recipient of an NFPA Public Education Division scholarship to attend the NFPA Conference & Expo and a scholarship to attend the division’s Remembering When Conference.

By Jim MacKay

For Mutual Aid, a Fire Chief blog

The problem of declining volunteer ranks is a complex and multi-facetted issue. However, I believe the major issues can be broken down into three areas: certification and training requirements, bureaucracy, and restrictive economic conditions. As a frontline crew member, certified firefighter and volunteer firefighter I would like to share some of what I have encountered in regards to these three areas.

Certification and training. In the past — and at the heart of volunteerism — many community members simply showed up to the station and signed on as a volunteer. When the call went out, they jumped in their vehicles and either raced to the station to join an engine company or drove directly to the scene. Training on the fundamentals of firefighting was taught at the station on average every other week. Certified volunteer firefighters were the exception, especially in the most rural areas of the country. Volunteers holding Medical First Responder certifications were uncommon and volunteer firefighters holding an EMT rating were rare. (Note: For the purpose of this discussion I am not including full-time paid/professional firefighters who “volunteer” outside of scheduled duty or who are volunteers at other departments in addition to their full-time firefighter position. This discussion is centered on the true civilian volunteer firefighter.)

Fast-forward to today’s volunteer organization and the landscape is quite different. Certifications are mandatory (and very rightfully so), and proficiency training is generally held once per week. The days of “just signing up” are gone, and with it a large number of individuals who cannot or will not commit to the certification requirements needed to be a safe and effective member of the Volunteer force. This may sound harsh but I have talked to and listened to many, many volunteer firefighters young and old and this theme prevails.

During the massive Central Texas Wildfires that burned 35,000 acres and destroyed some 1,600 homes I, like so many other true “volunteers,” left my family and headed to the fight. I saw scores of individuals turned away — why? Because they did not have the training, the certifications nor the proper personal protective equipment required to be on the fireground. Would these brave and honorable men and women have been turned away 20, 15 or even 10 years ago? But the fact is without the proper training and equipment the likelihood that some of these volunteers would have been either injured or killed was very high. To be turned away was absolutely the right call.

To read in full, click here.

Pure Google Apps Solutions are finding their way into more and more industries, and Netkiller is helping them get there.  This January, RFSignalman, a division of Niemann Technology Inc. (NTI), implemented a Google Apps Engine-based system, designed by Netkiller, that allows them to streamline the process of helping their clients meet fire code specifications*.

RFSignalman is an independent testing company located in Elk Grove, CA that helps property owners comply with fire code regulations by meeting indoor radio coverage requirements.  They work with both property owners and Public Safety, providing accurate data that is utilized to improve Public Safety communications.

In order to accommodate the large volume of data and communication between property owners, field engineers, and Public Safety, Netkiller needed to build an application that could provide discrete functions for different groups of users, as well as store data, generate reports, and streamline communication.  All of this, with the addition of security, remote access, and reliability meant that the Google Apps Engine was the clear choice.

The result is an application which accommodates separate functions for the customer, the field engineer, Public Safety, and administration through discrete and secure access interfaces.  Customers use the application to request radio coverage measurement services for their properties.  Then, the field engineer gathers measurement data from the physical location into CVS files.  These files are uploaded to the application, which then generates PDF reports to certify that the building complies with fire codes.  Public Safety then uses the application to review and export information about buildings with signal data under their jurisdiction.

The powerful application developed by Netkiller supports four separate levels of access, streamlining the process and keeping it secure by separating the information presented to customers, field engineers, and Public Safety into separate user interfaces. Each user interface connects to a Google doc-based database that stores customer information and field test data.  The information is then used to produce online map displays of tested buildings, certification test reports, summary and adhoc reports for Public Safety, as well as online billing, scheduling, and more.  Netkiller built the entire application on the web using the Google Apps Engine, and the entire process occurs online.

Paul Niemann, President of RFSignalman.com said,  “By integrating automated measurement equipment, a powerful custom application developed for us by Netkiller and Google technologies to collaborate and share information, RFSignalman is able to provide an economical field service and an accurate documentation platform.  Having on-line access to radio coverage data directly improves the safety for our emergency responders and our community.”

*Since the events of September 11, 2001 and the subsequent investigation into building safety by both FEMA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), fire codes have been modified by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) to include a mandatory annual certification of sufficient radio coverage for Public Safety emergency responders within buildings.  Meeting these codes is the responsibility of the property owner.

About Netkiller:
Netkiller is an Information Technology integration firm based in San Jose, Seoul, and Tokyo. The name originated from the ‘Network Trouble Killers’ community (over 25,000 members), which has been active since 1997 and was incorporated in 2004. Netkiller has almost a 10 year history of innovation in IT and Cloud Computing.

Day in and day out firefighters are told about the importance of turnout gear. Not only is it important to pick out the right gear for your department, but also to make sure you wear it properly when leaving on a call.  As this story by Caroline Tucker for the Rochester Homepage illustrates, you can never be too prepared.

Rochester City Firefighters say equipment helped save lives during the locust street fire on Thursday.

It was a fire that forced some living in the home to jump out of the windows.

One firefighter went to the hospital with first and second degree burns.

Three others were treated on the scene for injuries.

The Rochester Fire Department showed News 8 the turnout gear firefighters used during the Locust Street Fire.

They say much of it will have to be retired.

It’s black, burned, and covered in soot.

A number of firefighters went inside the burning home when they arrived because there were reports of children possibly trapped on the second floor.

That wasn’t the case, but firefighters tried to get inside as the heat overwhelmed them and smoke grew.

“Definitely one of the hottest, hadn’t seen anything this hot in 15 -17 years,” said Lt. Thomas Rogan, Rochester City Fire Department.

Read the rest of the story and watch the video here.

Photo by Jamie Germano for the Democrat and Chronicle.

As electric vehicles continue to become a viable consumer choice, NFPA will continue to do its part to ensure the safe implementation and operation of this burgeoning technology.

As columnist Jeff Sargent explains in the January/February issue of NFPA Journal^®, NFPA 70® , National Electric Code®, has addressed electric vehicles since the 1990s. Further provisions to the code, states Sargent, “exemplifies NFPA’s commitment to making sure the NEC keeps pace with the EV revolution and, most importantly, that the consumer infterface is free from electrical hazards–the mission of the NEC.

Read the full column in the latest issue of NFPA Journal. And watch the following clip highlighting the 2012 edition of the NEC:

-Fred Durso, Jr.

From FairfieldCounty.gov

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department recorded no fire deaths for 2011, a first in its 62-year history.

A multi-pronged effort by field operations, fire prevention, fire and life safety education, and the residents of Fairfax County contributed immeasurably to a safe and record-breaking year. Operational firefighting crews’ response to fire incidents, fire inspectors, fire protection retesting and monitoring, fire investigators, and fire and life safety educators, all provided a team effort in stemming fire deaths.

Additionally, community outreach programs also directly support the department’s mission of “providing the highest quality of services to protect the lives, property, and environment of our community.” These programs include: Every Step of the Way, a fire and safety program targeted to the most vulnerable, children and older adults; “Get Alarmed,” providing free distribution and installation of smoke alarms for residents; and the Juvenile Firesetters Intervention Program, an educational intervention program targeted to juvenile firesetters administered by a nationally certified educator.

The department also semi-annually, conducts a “Smoke Alarm Initiative,” during the weekends of fall and spring daylight savings time, canvassing selected neighborhoods throughout the county for working smoke alarms and providing escape plans for residents.

Fairfax County, with a population of over one million residents, has averaged more than seven fire deaths annually from 2000 to 2010.

One of the most exciting aspects of being a firefighter is being first in on the hoseline fighting a fire.

I want to address some basic tenets of fire attack. Fire fighting is a dangerous occupation – just look at the statistics that discuss firefighter injuries and deaths – so it is important that we address fire attack with the safety of the firefighter in mind.

The available staffing at any structure fire will have a definite impact on how many tasks can be completed simultaneously. Incident commanders must assess the risk associated with each task they assign to their limited number of firefighters.

This protective ensemble that firefighters wear allows us to penetrate deeper into structures that are on fire, and with this comes increased danger. Therefore, it is imperative that all firefighter look out for themselves and their fellow firefighters as they began a fire attack.

As we begin discussing fire attack we must address the staffing of the fire apparatus. I have several opportunities to talk with my Canadian firefighting brethren at the annual FDIC conference in Wolfville, N.S. The most common response I have received when asking about staffing on fire apparatus has been three firefighters. So it is with that premise of three firefighters that I continue this discussion.

The incident commander and the firefighters must rapidly asses the fire ground and the changing dynamics within the structure as they approach the building that is on fire. While the incident commander is responsible for the overall safety of each firefighter on the fire ground, individual firefighters must accept some responsibility for their safety and welfare. Each firefighter must wear the proper protective clothing, which includes properly fitting structural firefighting coat, pants and boots, and an appropriate helmet, hood and gloves. Additionally, each firefighter entering or working in proximity to a smoke-filled area must use a self-contained breathing apparatus.

Bob Krause is a battalion chief with the City of Toledo fire department in Ohio and is assigned to Battalion 2. Click here to read the full article.

December 21st was an important day for the World Service Project that is working to equip Mexican firefighters with safe, fit for duty gear.  LION and the Mexican Fire Chief Association, along with other project partners, are pleased to announce that the first 430 sets of LION TotalCare maintained firefighting turnout gear has been delivered to Mexican firefighters across the country.  The suits were enthusiastically received and a second order of 250 suits is already being processed for shipment.

The initial 165 sets of suits were delivered to the State of Sinaloa to outfit firefighters in the cities of Culicana, Elota, Mocorito, Escuinapa and Region Del Evora.  Fire Chief Adan Shinagawa of Culican was the first to request suits for his departments and will soon place a second order based on the overwhelming interest in the turnout gear.  In a letter to the project partners, Chief Shinagawa expresses his appreciation for the initiative:

“On behalf of the fire brigade of the State of Sinaloa, allow me to send our thanks and congratulations for this program.  At this moment, in my city, 165 firefighters are benefiting from this initiative.  The quality of the equipment is excellent and the value is incredible.  Our goal is to equip all our firefighters [with LION’s gear].”

Adolfo Benavente Duque, President of the Mexcan Fire Chief Association, also praised the program:

“On behalf of the firefighters of Mexico, I send our enormous thanks for giving us the opportunity to be the first to receive this equipment, which is in perfect condition and available at such a low price.  This equipment will be very useful to the protection of firefighters and will allow them to better serve their communities.”

The shipment is the first phase of the Project that provides advanced training, equipment, and vehicles to departments requesting assistance throughout Mexico.  LION and its partners are excited to have the opportunity to continue expanding the program in the hopes of outfitting every firefighter in Mexico with fit for duty, life-saving gear.

“We are thrilled to provide this turnout gear to the Mexican Fire Service.  LION is pleased to join with great partners to get top-quality gear into the hands of public servants that need it most.  As our business continues to grow around the world, we look forward to more efforts like this in support of the global firefighting community,” said Steve Schwartz, CEO of LION.

From FireEngineering.com

The American fire and emergency services has a very proud tradition of serving communities across our nation that dates back to colonial times. Throughout our nation’s history, firefighters have been looked upon with great respect and admiration for their courage and dedication to their profession. To preserve the public’s trust, a National Firefighter Code of Ethics was developed by a group of fire service leaders that calls on individual firefighters to pledge their support for maintaining the highest level of professionalism and behavior.

The idea for the Code was initially proposed in the Fire Service Reputation Management White Paper published by the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association (CVVFA). Since then, the idea gained momentum and received support from the highest echelon of fire service leadership.

“We may never have the opportunity again and I urge all fire service leaders to develop, establish, disseminate, abide and enforce a fire service code of ethics, said then-U.S. Fire Administrator Kelvin Cochran in 2010.

To read more about the Code of Ethics, click here.

Part of any system involving firefighter safety improvement must include adjustments to training programs. Firefighters must learn the proper way to use the equipment, how to wear it, and how it may affect their tactics. The mere fact of having the equipment will not change outcomes. It begins with the simple premise that when a department issues new equipment, there must be a lesson on proper use and maintenance of it. How often do you and your organization distribute new equipment to firefighters without taking the time to review its features or the manufacturer’s recommendations? For example, a helmet may be issued. Often, all the manufacturer’s instruction and warnings are immediately discarded without any review. The firefighters continue to use the equipment just as they had previously, even if there are added features.

A training program for all firefighters should include the following:

• Continual review of building construction. Knowledge of the building is extremely important to best prepare for the hostile environment created by fire.
• Learn to read the smoke. Dave Dodson has done a tremendous job of explaining this process. It is imperative that all firefighters understand this so they can assess situations and not rely on the temperature reading of their ears.
• Use thermal imaging cameras (TICs) as part of every fire call. They need to become a routine part of the response. Firefighters must know how they work and how they should be used during an incident. This technology can also provide great insight into developing conditions.
• Study fire behavior. The science of fire is expanding. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) are providing more insight into fire behavior in newer buildings with lightweight construction and different contents. Never stop learning, because fire behavior will continue to change.
• Train with your gear as you will wear it during a fire emergency. Many firefighters do not wear their equipment properly during training, either because it is not always comfortable or it is not “cool.” There is a saying that you will play how you practice. Get comfortable in your gear and wear it properly all the time.
• As part of the training, review the manufacturer’s recommendations from time to time.

Read the full article on FireApparatus.com.