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Seat Belt Policy Failing
I'm a volunteer Fire Chief in NY. I recently instituted a seat belt policy that all FF's in apparatus must wear them. Of course there has been members that are against it due to "Change". I am trying to do the right thing and I know I will never change everything. The one ting that has me bothered is that a few members state that by implementing this policy I could be taking away death benefits from a member if they died if the FF did not wear the seat belt because it is a directive. Some members are saying that now with this policy the insurance companies would not pay out to the members family.
Others have said that I have blinders on that I should have looked at even the equipment in the cab that should either be removed that could be dislodged and kill/injure a FF. I agree I can see that and I know some companies have started to move equipment like halligans, axes, SCBA's etc. to the outside compartments. I know I cannot undo every past mistake from previous Chiefs but I am trying to make an effort at my end.
I guess now I am thinking how I can still keep the policy in place but still deal with all the criticism.
Others have said that I have blinders on that I should have looked at even the equipment in the cab that should either be removed that could be dislodged and kill/injure a FF. I agree I can see that and I know some companies have started to move equipment like halligans, axes, SCBA's etc. to the outside compartments. I know I cannot undo every past mistake from previous Chiefs but I am trying to make an effort at my end.
I guess now I am thinking how I can still keep the policy in place but still deal with all the criticism.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Brian Dumser on
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Chief Parker-
If you've implemented a seat belt policy, then your job as Fire Chief is to enforce it! If this means taking punitive action against some of your FF's or officers, then so be it. If that means that by violating the policy they lose their death benefits, then tough crap. You don't need some unbelted jackass flying around inside the cab and killing the FF's that followed the policy and buckled up! Seems like a common sense issue to me. Stay safe!
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Permalink Reply by BillySFCVFD on
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Wow am I naive. There are still people, especially those who respond in emergency vehicles, that don't wear seat belts, law/policy or not? When I first started to legally drive, cars were still made without seat belts (yeah I'm old) and I drove them that way. Years later and wiser came the seat belt law. It took a while but for the last twenty years or so (remember I'm old), I buckle up every time out of habit, POV or VFD vehicle. I want to get older. Chief Mike stick to your guns to save lives. TCSS
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Permalink Reply by Karl Campbell on
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Yes Michael, I commend you on your effort and I also see the neglect some members refusing to wear their seatbelts. Our municipality decided a few years ago to come out and take a stance with career FF's that seatbelts must always be worn to and from a fire call. My department is strictly volunteer so I questioned their thoughts on the volunteers having to also wear belts our department was using a cube van (without seatbelts and sitting sideways) for equipment and manpower their stance was that we don't follow under their rules because we have a good samaritan act that protects us, let me tell you now we will and can be held liable for not providing these life saving tools, the liability responding to any call was enormous and weighed heavily on my shoulders as chief so we had to come to a decision and found a handi-trans bus up for tender and purchased it and converted into our equipment and manpower vehicle now all 15 members are provided seatbelts and we placed a sign stating to buckle up as well we tell the driver before responding he must ask if everyone is buckled up this takes the liability off of him not everyone does use the belts however we are all grown ups and I feel if you wish to not wear them than thats your problem at least my A$$ is covered our at least I think so?
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Permalink Reply by Oldman on
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"few members state that by implementing this policy I could be taking away death benefits from a member if they died if the FF did not wear the seat belt because it is a directive".
No Chief, you are not taking away their benefits, the person NOT wearing the seatbelt IS.
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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on
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Chief:
Show some strength against these weak arguments being offered by nitwits.
I realize that they are your guys, quite possibly your friends and even relatives.
All good reasons to ENFORCE the seat belt policy.
A logical argument against wearing seat belts does not exist.
If anyone makes the decision on their own not to wear one and dies as a result, THEY took away whatever benefit might have been paid to family had they worn the seat belt.
Insurance companies are going to stop paying benefits on preventable deaths.
And one more thing, Chief; that "brother" that gave you 100 excuses for not wearing his seatbelt? Well, his wife isn't going to care that it was uncomfortable. She's going to sue you, your department and trustees because you didn't do enough to protect him from himself!
Don't think it can happen?
Then, carry on; business as usual.
TCSS.
Art
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Permalink Reply by Shareef Abdu Nur on
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Chief, First of all, thank you for implementing the policy. I dona't like wearing a belt either, but I know it saves lives and I do it. I don't do it because my chief says so, I do it because I love my family and they depend on me to provide for them. You did not take away the death benefits, your members did by not following the policy. I know change is hard and I'm trying everyday to embrace that change, but we have to do what is right if for no one else, at least for our families. As far as criticism, it comes with the white helmet. Stick to your guns!
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Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on
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I agree with most of what has been covered through the other responses. I am an avid supporter of Seat belt MANDATES for all responders. Enforcing the seat belt rule with diciplinary action for the officer in the apparatus AND the member not belted in will be the only way to fix the issue. Old habits die hard. One bad habit can make your death hard on your co-firefighters and families at home.
I am sickened at the fact that the political stand has been to ignore the issue. Seat belts are mandated throughout the country as LAW. Why should responders be differant? How can we save lives and do our job if we are laid up in a hospitol or 6 feet under?
Stick to your guns chief. For the stats you have to look at are the LODD's. The stat they don't get to see is the amount of accidents where lives were saved due to seatbelts.
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Permalink Reply by Phillip L Queen on
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Chief, I think you would be held neglagent if you did not have a seat belt policy. Firefighters getting killed in the line of duty from vehicle accidents is the number 2 killer. If my son got killed while responding to a call and was not required to have on a seat belt then I would own that department. Its to bad that you have ot have a policy to make them do the right thing. You are saving lives. Be proud, and dont give in any unsafe act. I agree with the no insurance policy if they are not wearing seat belts, smoke, or wear the protective clothing. I am tired of going to funerals because of guys not wearing seat belts.
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Permalink Reply by scott on
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well chief. after goin thru a change similar to yours we have all new officers on our dept after former chief who was acting chif for 32 years , our policy is simple after a visit from our insuranxe compny . no seat belt no coverage. our policy is this now. everybody gets in gets seated officer is last one in truck he visually ask each occupant of apparatus seat belt on and secured each occupant must pull on seat belt verifing it is locked into buckle . at that time officer collects staging tag from occupant . officer gets in. driver of vehicle confirms with officer same statement to officer . then vehicle is ready tobe moved . we have dismissed personal with time off if this was not a compliance standard that would be folowed . goes back to the addage we will risk nothing to save nothing . we will risk all to save all . but safety comes first . remind you operators they can and some have been charged in america with fellow fire fighters deaths. yes it is also true the government insurace benifit DOES NOT HAVE TO PAY . THATS IS HARD TO SWALLOW LEAVING YOUR FAMILY WITH NOTHING ,
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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on
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OK Chief...let me put it this way....Do you know the definition of "CHIEF".(I mean the REAL one..?) "Chief...The person who gets crapped on when we screw up (Yes, I'm ashamed, I cleaned it up a little)"....Now if you get your feelings hurt everytime you make an unpopular decision then you are in for a very long and trying tenure as Chief....Our Chief put it this way...and yes we hear about it at EVERY meeting and EVERY training....."WEAR YOUR DAMN SEALT BELTS" LOL..He is so articulate in his speeches.....LOL...In fact our policy states the rig does NOT pull out of the station until ALL are belted...we have had a call or two that we sat there for a minute or two until someone remembers..."Oops, my belt....buckles up and then we roll....Being Chief doesn't mean you are there to be popular...you have to be the "bad guy" sometimes...which is more important....Being the good guy or bringing all your people home safely.....Enough said....Don't want to "offend" anyone..." LOL Stay safe and always remember to keep the faith.....Paul
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Permalink Reply by Michael Parker on
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I do appreciate all the feedback from everyone. I knew going in as Chief that it was going to be lonely at the top and that the decisions that I would make would not be pallatable by all. I can sleep easy knowing that the decisions that I make is for the best of the company as a whole. My full time job I am a Manager/Supervisor where I supervise union employees and believe me I am not afraid of making the decisions that I need to make. Gotta have thick skin.
I can say that I am getting the support and especially with the one member that was all up and arms about it. It is needed change and with change comes some level of resistance. It is getting better and the members see why this needed to happen. Thanks again
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