Building on the success of the first National Firefighter Safety Stand Down in 2005, the Board of Directors of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has called for the second annual stand down to be held starting Wednesday, June 21, 2006, and continued until all personnel and duty nights have been covered. Fire departments are urged to save this date and plan to participate in the event.
Last year, an estimated 10,000 fire departments participated in the National Firefighter Safety Stand Down. Activities were posted on the IAFC and its partner's Web sites. The IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section will be updating the recommended activities, and when those details are developed, they will be distributed.
"Sadly, 106 firefighters died in the line of duty last year. Since many of the accidents occurred in department vehicles, we have decided to focus this year's stand down on emergency vehicle safety, where we can have the most impact. We must take dramatic steps to reduce the alarmingly high firefighter death and injury rates," said IAFC President Chief Bill Killen. "While firefighter safety must be part of everyday life in the fire service, the Safety Stand Down raises awareness of the issue and calls national attention to the unacceptable number of firefighter line-of-duty deaths."
Once again, the IAFC will be reaching out to other fire service organizations to join forces and involve the entire fire service in the event. Last year, 19 organizations partnered with the IAFC for the first stand down.
