USFA Issues New Topical Fire Report
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, heating was the leading reported cause of residential building fires. Since then, the overall number of heating fires has substantially decreased, but heating remained the second reported leading cause from 2010-2012 and accounted for 12 percent of all home fires responded to by fire departments.
A new report from the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), “Heating Fires in Residential Buildings (2010-2012),” addresses the characteristics of home heating fires caused by central heating units, fixed or portable local heating units, fireplaces, heating stoves, chimneys, and water heaters. Here are some of the key findings:
- An estimated 45,200 heating fires in residential buildings were reported to fire departments within the United States each year and caused an estimated 155 deaths, 625 injuries and $351 million in property loss.
- Residential building heating fires peaked in the early evening hours from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. This four-hour period accounted for 30 percent of all residential building heating fires.
- Residential building heating fire incidences peaked in January at 21 percent and declined to the lowest point during the months of June to August.
- Confined fires, those fires confined to chimneys, flues or fuel burners, accounted for 84 percent of residential building heating fires.
- The heat source was too close to combustibles in 29 percent of the non-confined residential building heating fires.
The entire report may be downloaded for free from the USFA website at www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/reports.html.
Hughes Named i-Women President
The International Association of Women in Fire and Emergency Services (i-Women) has named Angela Hughes as its new president. Hughes was previously the Eastern Division Trustee for i-Women for the 2013-2014 term.
Currently a Fire Lieutenant with the Baltimore County, MD, Fire Department, Hughes began her passion with the fire service at the age of sixteen as a volunteer with the local fire department. Her professional career began in 1989 as a Paramedic with the Baltimore City Fire Department. Her experience includes functioning as a Paramedic/Firefighter, Fire Specialist and Fire Marshall.
“i-Women is not just for women; it is an inclusive organization of dedicated women and men whose values coincide,” said Hughes. “Whether being a mentor, leader or serving on the line, we are a fire service family. Women and men may approach various situations differently, but the end goal is the same, providing the best service to our community.”
FDNY Commissioner Promotes Top EMS Chiefs
FDNY Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro has appointed two veteran EMS officers to the top ranks in the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (EMS): James P. Booth as Chief of EMS and Michael J. Fitton as Assistant Chief of EMS.
Chief Booth, a 31-year veteran who most recently served as Division Chief in the Bronx, will now supervise 3,700 EMTs, Paramedics, EMS Officers and civilian employees in the EMS Bureau, and will be responsible for overseeing operations, planning, strategic initiatives and logistics.
Chief Fitton, a 30-year veteran who until recently was Chief of Emergency Medical Dispatch, will serve as Chief Booth’s second-in-command.
“James Booth and Mike Fitton are extraordinarily skilled managers, with vast experience in the critical areas of EMS operations, dispatch and – most importantly – pre-hospital patient care, and their commitment to the Department will improve our ability to provide the best response and patient care we can for all New Yorkers,” said Commissioner Nigro.
“With more than 20 years’ experience as a supervisor with a track record of excellent performance, both in the field and as a team member on several critical agency projects, Chief Booth is a great choice to lead our Bureau of EMS,” said Chief of Department James E. Leonard. “He and Chief Fitton – who also has a wealth of field experience, along with his vast knowledge of our dispatch system – will make a great leadership team for EMS.”
Third Annual Joey Foundation Seminar
The Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo Memorial Foundation is holding its third annual seminar this May to raise funds to purchase personal life safety systems (PLSS) and training for fire departments that cannot afford to do so. This is all done in honor and remembrance of Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo, Rescue Company #3, FDNY, who gave his life in the line of duty due to a lack of a PLSS. DiBernardo was a long-time volunteer firefighter and fire officer in the Setauket, NY, Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a founding member of the Brookhaven Technical Rescue Team and taught at the Suffolk County Fire Academy. The Foundation gave out close to $30,000 in grants in 2014 to departments for training and purchase of PLSS.
This year, attendees will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet, listen to and do a Q&A with the legendary firefighters from the “War Years” in the South Bronx who were featured in the documentary film, The Bronx is Burning. There will also be a Friday night “Meet & Greet” where attendees will have to chance to speak one-on-one with their instructors and other fire service leaders.
The Saturday program features sessions given by nationally recognized experts from around the country, including:
- Counter Terrorism Planning – Chief John Nykiel from the Center for Counter Terrorism & Disaster Planning will show how to prepare your department.
- University of Extrication-Hybrid Vehicles – Firehouse columnist Chief Ron Moore will present this class to guide you in the safe operations at these incidents.
- FDNY/NIST Live Burn Flow Path Study – Professor Dan Madryzkowski and FDNY Captain John Ceriello will speak about this eye-opening study.
- Street Smart Tactical Truck Tips & Tricks – Lt. Mike Ciampo, FDNY, will share his knowledge gained in over 30 years of firefighting.
Go to joeydfoundation.org for more information about the Foundation.
