I recently had the opportunity to speak with Billy Goldfeder, chairman of the IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section, about the theme for this year’s 2009 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week, June 14–20: “Protect Yourself: Your Safety, Health and Survival Are Your Responsibility.” Here’s the scoop:

Goldfeder says it’s easy to see how diligently so many national fire organizations, along with the USFA and the fire service media, have worked to provide resources to decrease the number of firefighter injuries and deaths. “And although all those resources are available, it’s clearly up to the local fire chiefs, officers, firefighters and EMTs to take local action,” he says.

The “Protect Yourself” theme encourages chiefs and fire/EMS personnel to focus on what they can do personally to manage risk, enhance their health and safety and correct safety deficiencies. “If you don’t want a firefighter ejected, the seatbelt solves that,” Goldfeder explains. “Don’t want to strike a car full of kids? Stop at red lights and stop signs before driving through them. Want to minimize smoke inhalation? Put on your mask. Want to avoid a heart attack? Physicals, fitness and good foods can help with that.”

The IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section has identified 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
1. Lower speeds—stop racing to the scene. Drive safely and arrive alive to help others.
2. Use seatbelts—never drive or ride without them.
3. Stop at every intersection—look in all directions and then proceed in a safe manner.

Health: Firefighter Heart Disease and Cancer Education Prevention
1. Don’t smoke or use tobacco products.
2. Get active.
3. Eat a heart-healthy diet.
4. Maintain a healthy weight.
5. Get regular health screenings.

Survival: Structural Size-Up and Situational Awareness
1. Keep apprised of different types of building materials and construction used in your community.
2. Develop a comprehensive size-up checklist.
3. Always complete a 360° walk of the structure to collect valuable, operational decision-making information.
4. Learn the practice of reading smoke.
5. Be familiar with the accepted rules of engagement.
6. Learn your accountability system and use it.
7. Master your tools and equipment.
8. Remain calm and concentrate.

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

Goldfeder adds that we already know the solutions to minimizing injury and death—we just have to take action through policy, training and organizational discipline, all of which the IAFC will provide during this year’s Survival Week. Note: 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. “While some firefighter injury and death cannot be avoided, so much of it can be—and it so often falls to each of us taking responsibility for ourselves and each other,” Goldfeder adds.

For more information, resources and recommended activities, visit www.iafc.org/safetyweek.

Janelle Foskett is senior editor of FireRescue magazine.