Peters Named CFSI 2021 Legislator of the Year
The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) selected U.S. Senator Gary Peters as its 2021 Legislator of the Year.
Serving the state of Michigan as a U.S. Senator since 2015, Peters is a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus and the chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, which oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Peters has advocated for funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs and has supported other important legislative initiatives that affect public safety. He has led efforts to address firefighter health and safety issues, including exposure to toxic chemicals during emergency response. In addition, under Peters’ leadership, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs has taken a look at addressing other issues that affect the fire and emergency services, including wildland fires.
For more information, visit cfsi.org.
2022 Fire Predictions
The ESO fire service technology and research teams have compiled the trends that they believe are the most important to pay attention to this year. Accompanying each trend is a recommended action to take to help you to be successful.
ESO cited these topics as the top trends:
- Staffing will be a challenge because of “the Great Resignation,” which is affecting companies and organizations across the United States, including the fire service.
- Community engagement is more important than ever. City councils and local governments are demanding greater insight and accountability of how publicly funded services benefit the community.
- Provider safety will stay a core issue, particularly in regard to mental health and well-being. With the continued surge in COVID-19, 2022 will see fewer responders working more shifts and facing more violence from the public.
- Service and delivery models will continue to evolve, with a greater expectation—and greater pressure—for the fire service to do more than firefighting activities.
The full report can be downloaded from the ESO website.
For more information, visit eso.com.
Line-of-Duty Deaths
8 U.S. firefighters recently died in the line of duty. Four firefighters died after they contracted COVID-19 and four died from health-related incidents. For the latest on COVID-19-related LODDs, visit firehouse.com/covid-19.
CAPT. WILLIAM MICHAEL BROOKS, 59, of the Nashville, TN, Fire Department, died on Feb. 1. On Dec. 29, Brooks responded to numerous emergency medical calls. He subsequently contracted COVID-19.
CHIEF WAYNE DOYLE, 62, of Lowndes County Emergency Services Volunteer Fire District 3 in Columbus, MS, died on Feb. 7. On Jan. 10, Doyle responded to numerous EMS calls, where he was exposed to COVID-19. He subsequently contracted the virus.
ENGINEER BRIAN MIILLER, 61, of the Buckeye Valley, AZ, Fire District, died on Feb. 7. On Dec. 29, Miiller contracted COVID-19 at the firehouse.
BATTALION CHIEF MARK HOLT, 50, of Thomasville, NC, Fire and Rescue, died on Feb. 9. Holt worked a 24-hour shift, ending on the morning of Feb. 8, during which he responded to a fire call. The next day, he was found unresponsive by a family member at his house. Emergency crews were called and performed CPR. He was pronounced dead from an apparent heart attack.
CAPT. STEVEN MCCANN, 48, of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, died on Feb. 9. After the department received a 9-1-1 call, McCann collapsed. Firefighters performed CPR, and McCann was rushed to Arcadia Methodist Hospital, where he died a short time later from an apparent heart attack.
FIREFIGHTER JOHN MICHAEL MCGUIRE, 52, of the Copperas Cove, TX, Fire Department, died on Feb. 10. On Jan. 10, McGuire contracted COVID-19 while responding to numerous fire and EMS calls.
FIREFIGHTER JESSE B. GERHARD, 33, of the FDNY, died on Feb. 16. Gerhard suffered a medical episode while on duty at the fire station. He was transported to St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, where he died a short time later. The cause of his death has yet to be determined.
ENGINEER/OPERATOR LARRY WAYNE HARBIN, 65, of Lynn, AL, Fire and Rescue, died on March 3. Lynn Fire and Rescue was dispatched to assist Haleyville Fire with a wildland fire. During containment operations, Harbin experienced a medical emergency, which led to cardiac arrest. He was treated by paramedics and transported to Lakeland Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
