The Fire Department Safety Officer Association announced it will reintroduce its popular SafetyGram newsletter for its members.
Originally introduced in1993, the monthly SafetyGram was an insert in the FDSOA’s Health and Safety newsletter. SafetyGram was modeled after the International Society of Fire Service Instructors’ popular Instructo-Gram newsletter, which included a lesson plan with specific objectives and references. The SafetyGram ceased publication around 2010.
“The FDSOA realizes the fire service is rapidly changing and a return to the once popular SafetyGram will provide members with timely and valuable information to help them do their job more effectively,” said Rich Marinucci, executive director, FDOSA. The newsletter will be available monthly for FDSOA members, under the Health and Safety section of the www.FDSOA.org website.
Marinucci also announced Billy D. Hayes will be editor of the SafetyGram. Hayes, a former fire chief and emergency management coordinator, also served with the National Center for Fire and Life Safety and as Columbia Southern University’s vice president of University Relations. He is a published author and speaker on fire, life safety, and leadership.
Hayes commented, "It is my honor and privilege to help re-launch the SafetyGram, which for years provided individuals beyond just the FDSOA membership, with timely information that can be utilized by everyone in a fire and emergency services organization. I'm looking forward to making this initiative successful through the support and participation of the FDSOA membership."
The SafetyGram’s February feature article, Shifting the American Fire Service Safety Culture—Then and Now, by Ron Dennis, director of Training and Development, Columbia Southern University. Dennis’ article includes five specific steps for developing a safer environment for fire service personnel. If you are interested in submitting an article for the FDSOA SafetyGram, contact Billy Hayes at [email protected].
The SafetyGram is located under the Health & Safety Section of the FDSOA.org website. If you are interested in becoming an FDSOA Member, visit https://www.fdsoa.org/symposia/signup.html
The Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) was established in 1989 as a non-profit association, incorporated in Massachusetts. In 2013, the offices moved to Michigan. Its mission is to promote safety standards and practices in the fire, rescue and emergency services community. The association is led by a volunteer board of directors and has a small staff to handle the day-to-day operations. The association is dedicated to the issues that affect the critical role of the safety officer in protecting and promoting the safety and health responsibilities of fire departments, communities and first responders. FDSOA works to helps fire departments achieve proficiency and promote the recognition of training, skills and a secure future. In May 2016, FDSOA won the Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award for its work over 28 years, “as an organization fully dedicated to the health and safety of the nation’s firefighters.”
