Fire Service Organizations Release Initial Report Following Firefighter Life Safety Summit

Release Date: April 14, 2004

First Steps Underway in Major Campaign to Save Firefighters' Lives

Emmitsburg, MD - The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the United States Fire Administration (USFA) are pleased to announce the release of the Firefighter Life Safety Summit Initial Report. The Report details initiatives and recommendations for drastically reducing firefighter fatalities and injuries.

Organized by the NFFF, the Firefighter Life Safety Summit held March 10-11, 2004 in Tampa, Florida, was a first of its kind gathering of more than 200 fire and emergency service representatives from over 100 organizations and departments nationwide. The Summit was convened to support the USFA's stated goal of reducing firefighter fatalities by 25 percent within 5 years and 50 percent within 10 years.

The Summit Initial Report identifies and provides additional background on the 16 initiatives that were formulated by the Summit participants. The initiatives are:

  1. Define and advocate the need for a cultural change within the fire service relating to safety, incorporating leadership, management, supervision, accountability and personal responsibility.
  2. Enhance the personal and organizational accountability for health and safety throughout the fire service.
  3. Focus greater attention on the integration of risk management with incident management at all levels, including strategic, tactical, and planning responsibilities.
  4. Empower all firefighters to stop unsafe practices.
  5. Develop and implement national standards for training, qualifications, and certification (including regular recertification) that are equally applicable to all firefighters, based on the duties they are expected to perform.
  6. Develop and implement national medical and physical fitness standards that are equally applicable to all firefighters, based on the duties they are expected to perform.
  7. Create a national research agenda and data collection system that relates to the initiatives.
  8. Utilize available technology wherever it can produce higher levels of health and safety.
  9. Thoroughly investigate all firefighter fatalities, injuries, and near misses.
  10. Ensure grant programs support the implementation of safe practices and/or mandate safe practices as an eligibility requirement.
  11. Develop and champion national standards for emergency response policies and procedures.
  12. Develop and champion national protocols for response to violent incidents.
  13. Provide firefighters and their families access to counseling and psychological support.
  14. Provide public education more resources and champion it as a critical fire and life safety program.
  15. Strengthen advocacy for the enforcement of codes and the installation of home fire sprinklers.
  16. Make safety be a primary consideration in the design of apparatus and equipment.

"The Summit was the first step in our mission to significantly reduce firefighter fatalities," declared Chief Ron Siarnicki, NFFF Executive Director. "The American Fire Service is now united under a common goal, and with that determination, energy, and focus we will make progress, one firefighter's life at a time."

"The Foundation and the USFA, working with the fire service leadership of this nation, are developing immediate, mid-range, and long-range priorities for a national campaign to stop these needless and preventable losses of firefighters," said U.S. Fire Administrator R. David Paulison. "In almost every case, we know what needs to be done. We now must take those steps needed to ensure every firefighter goes home, after every emergency they respond to."

To obtain a copy of the Firefighter Life Safety Summit Initial Report or PowerPoint presentation, or to learn more about the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, visit www.firehero.org.

Congress established the NFFF in 1992 to lead a nationwide effort to honor America's firefighters who die in the line of duty. Its mission is to honor and remember America's fallen fire heroes and to provide resources to assist their survivors in rebuilding their lives. The NFFF has developed numerous programs to fulfill this mandate including: sponsoring the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend and helping survivors attend the tribute; creating the first permanent Memorial Park honoring all fallen firefighters; providing peer support networks for survivors and senior fire officers; awarding scholarships to spouses, children, and step-children for education and job training; and serving as a clearinghouse of resources to help families and fire departments after a line-of-duty death.

EDITOR'S NOTE: TO SCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW WITH NFFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CHIEF RON SIARNICKI, CONTACT TORREY WASSERMAN AT 202.955.1247 OR TWASSERMAN@KAMBER.COM.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.