The members of IAFF Local 3572 have signed the National Seat Belt pledge.
"This is the first IAFF union to achieve 100 percent," said Burt Clark, who established the seat belt pledge in honor of a former National Fire Academy student who was killed in a fire truck crash in Texas.
Clark said he was delighted when he learned about the effort of Erik Jones, an engineer with the department near Tucson.
Jones, who delivered a framed poster-size pledge to Clark on Friday, admitted he was on a mission to gather the signatures of his fellow union brothers and sisters.
"I talked to people personally, explaining what it was and why it was important," he said.
The IAFF logo is the only fire service organization symbol not represented on the national pledge.
But, that didn't stop the veteran firefighter. He forged ahead, and he wants other unions follow his local's lead.
"This is about looking out for each other."
Jones said he feels it's only right that they took the first step for safety rather than have the department dictate it.
Clark said he believes the Arizona effort sends a powerful message to the fire service. "It shows solidarity."
When he started the mission 15 months ago, he met with his chief, Stephen (Jeff) Piechura, as well as the fire board.
"I received overwhelming support," he said adding that he gave his chief one of the large pledge posters.
While his department has not suffered a line-of-duty crash death, Jones felt it was unacceptable that firefighters are being killed or injured because they didn't buckle up.
"Many of the crashes are career-ending," Clark added.
A silhouette of two firefighters operating on Ladder 31 is depicted in the background of the pledge that the Arizona firefighters signed.
Jones also made a special trip to Amarillo to present one of the large pledge posters. "They were very happy to get it."
The National Seat Belt Pledge is named in honor of Brian Hutton, an Amarillo firefighter who was killed after being ejected from a fire truck.
Jones said while his local effort has concluded, he's not finished.
He's offered to help spread the word to other IAFF unions.
Susan Nicol | News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.
