By Janelle Foskett, managing editor, FireRescue magazine


Unless you were a star student, you know the fearful anticipation of receiving a report card. Well, the fire service just received one of its own.

In his Wednesday morning FDIC session, “Making the Grade,” Oklahoma Fire Department Captain Brian Arnold gave the national fire service a C for how it’s doing overall, and a D for how it’s doing in certain areas—and multiple attendees agreed with these grades. In fact, no one openly disagreed. But before you think this is too harsh, let me explain Arnold’s rationale for the C grade. Later, we’ll look at Arnold’s proposal for how you can grade your own department.

First, the rationale: The bottom line is that the fire service hasn’t had a significant decrease in the annual number of LODDs in decades. The average number of LODDs still hovers around 100 each year. Although some may note that the statistics from 2009 showed a decrease to 90, Arnold argued that, “To see a serious impact, we need to see this number drop down to the 60s.” He added that the difference between 90 and 100 could be one call—a terrible call, but one call nonetheless.

So where can the fire service make an impact, improving that C grade? It all comes back to three areas that account for the most firefighter LODDs: health-related issues, apparatus accidents and trauma on the fireground—three areas that have been at the top of the LODD list for 15 years. “We’re dying from the same things every year!” Arnold emphasized.

Health: What do we know about the health-related issues that are causing 50% of LODDs? According to Arnold, more than 40% of firefighters are considered obese; they eat like crap; they don’t get enough exercise; they’re expected to go from zero to 100 in a matter of second when a call comes in, leading to heightened stress; and finally, they breathe in too many toxins on the fireground.

Apparatus Accidents: What do we know about driving-related issues? According to Arnold, it’s simple: Firefighters need to slow down, buckle up, stop running red lights and stop signs, and realize that tankers don’t turn very well.

Trauma on the Fireground: Although this may be the most complex of the topics, Arnold explains that it’s probably the one where we can make the biggest impact. Some of Arnold’s points:
- Firefighting is a dangerous job. “We’re never going to achieve zero LODDS—not in my lifetime,” he reminded.
- A lack of knowledge will get you killed.
- We need to work on our basic skills, drilling every shift.
- From the chief on down the ranks, everyone is accountable for their actions.
- Firefighters and EMS personnel don’t do well just reading books; they need to really do the job to learn it. And that’s where hands-on training comes in.

So how does the fire service improve? Arnold says it’s all about training and education. He commended attendees who took the time to come to his class to learn about these safety-related issues (the education component), and touted hands-on training, both at conferences and back at home departments.

Now it’s time to take a look in the mirror. How does your department stack up, grade-wise? Arnold offered some criteria for grading your own department on some of the key areas where the fire service can make a difference in reducing the number of LODDs. Note: Arnold says we all start with a D and work our way to an A. “I don’t like to start with an F,” he said.

Health and Welfare
A = yearly physicals for everyone; promotes fitness; mandates no smoking for new personnel
B = yearly physicals for everyone over 35 years old; supports fitness; frowns upon smoking
C = no yearly physicals, but advocates PT
D = no yearly physicals and doesn’t support fitness

Annual Review of Basic Firefighting Skills: ventilation, hoseline advancement, search, pumping, etc.
A = 6 basic reviews
B = 5 basic reviews
C = 4 basic reviews
D = 3 or fewer basic reviews

Annual Lecture Topics: attend or participate in lecture topics online or in person, followed by a group discussion
A = 3 new lecture topics
B = 2 new lecture topics
C = 1 new lecture topic
D = 0 new lectures (repeating the same thing year after year)

Apparatus/Driving Safety
A = inter-department driving certificates; accident review policies; yearly competency exams; yearly license check ; formal seatbelt policy
B = EVO course; seatbelt policy; yearly license check
C = seatbelt policy; license check upon employment
D = drive to the station in a car (it’s a D+ if you drive a stick shift)

Annual Hands-on Training
A = 6 HOT sessions
B = 5 HOT sessions
C = 4 HOT sessions
D = 3 or fewer HOT sessions

Annual Live-Fire Training
A = 4
B = 3
C = 2
D = 1 or fewer

Arnold’s key message: “We need to improve our knowledge base, breed good habits and keep firefighters safe and healthy.” If firefighters start thinking about how their departments stack up and then work to make improvements in the deficient areas, over time we can start to make a difference in the number of LODDs. “There’s always room for improvement,” he added.