Chief's Corner Archive

A Spotlight on Innovative Fire Prevention and Safety Programs

National Seat Belt Pledge

Posted on February 28, 2007 by Charlie Dickinson, Acting Assistant Administrator, USFA

On April 23 2005, firefighter Christopher Brian Hunton, a 27-year-old member of the Amarillo, Texas Fire Department, fell out of his fire truck responding to an alarm. Firefighter Hunton died two days later from his injuries. Like too many other firefighters before and since, Brian was not wearing a seat belt.

There are too many tragic stories like Brian's each year: firefighters losing their lives in the line-of-duty, as a result of what are preventable causes. As the former Chief of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire, and now the Acting United States Fire Administrator, I know first hand that many of these losses can be prevented. The loss of firefighters by not wearing seat belts is such a simple safety measure to take. Wearing your seat belt makes sense and is the right thing to do. All firefighters, having been to just a few civilian car accidents, know first hand the importance of wearing seat belts. I don't know of a firefighter who doesn't wear his or her seat belt when driving a personal vehicle. I don't know of a firefighter who doesn't also insist family members buckle up as well. Why is it then firefighters lose their lives being thrown from fire apparatus? In early March, fire service leaders from across the nation will be meeting in California and again the question will arise regarding why firefighters don't believe their apparatus will never be involved in a motor vehicle accident.

Over the past couple of years, the USFA has joined the national fire service to take some significant steps in preventing firefighter deaths and injuries. The International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters, National Volunteer Fire Council, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, National Fire Protection Association, and so many other national organizations have implemented wonderful and effective firefighter safety programs. There is, however, an additional step we can all take together, today. Please join me in taking the National Seat Belt Pledge.

"I, Chief Charlie Dickinson, pledge to wear my seat belt whenever I am riding in Fire Department vehicles or any moving vehicle. I further pledge to ensure that all firefighters riding with me wear their seat belts."

And now, the real challenge to all firefighters: will all state and local fire leadership and chiefs of this great nation stand with me and take the pledge on behalf of their departments? Will all company officers and firefighters join with their leadership in taking this simple pledge? I believe firefighters, as the nation's promoters of safety in all communities, are able to stand a million strong by simply taking this pledge to absolutely and finally put a stop to this senseless cause of firefighter deaths.

For information on taking the seat belt pledge, visit the National Seat Belt Pledge Web page.

Any fire department able to achieve 100% of their firefighters taking the pledge will get their fire department's name and their leadership's name on the National Seat Belt Pledge campaign Web page. Thank you for joining with me in making this pledge, and more importantly, buckling up.

I would also like to thank Dr. Burton A. Clark, EFO, CFO Training Specialist at the USFA for his perseverance and dedication in this effort to recruit all firefighters to make this seat belt pledge.

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