47
The number of 2008 firefighter line-of-duty deaths at deadline.
Recently, I was asked to attend two functions. The first was to see the latest in new technology available in fire apparatus at Rosenbauer in South Dakota. Company officials hosted an interesting meeting to show editors of the national fire service publications 10 of their latest apparatus, ranging in size from small all-terrain vehicles to engines, ladders and airport crash trucks. Then, 3M company in Minnesota invited a group of editors to look at its research on reasons why personnel operating on or near highways should be protected by high-visibility garments (this is to meet an upcoming federal mandate). Through presentations and new technology demonstrations, 3M personnel educated the audience as to the reflective features the company's garments provide the wearer. At night, we took part in a demonstration at a driving course to see the application of reflective vests, firefighting turnout gear and street clothes. The multi-part demonstration showed the difference between life and death for workers and first responders working on or near the highways, especially at night. A study by the University of Michigan confirmed that firefighter turnout gear is just as effective with its reflective striping in protecting the wearer.
I also participated with a group of nationwide speakers to raise funds for the Charleston Firefighters Memorial a few weeks ago. An interested group of firefighters from around the nation made up the audience. Speaking of Charleston, the draft NIOSH report summary was just released (see page 20) and the investigation committee's "Post Incident Assessment and Review Team Phase II Report" was released in mid-May. Both complete reports may be accessed at www.Firehouse.com/Charleston. As I was writing this editorial, I learned that the Charleston fire chief, Rusty Thomas, who I interviewed last September, gave the city's mayor his resignation effective June 27.
Two of the speakers at the Charleston fundraiser were from Worcester, MA. They discussed the tough times their department has gone through, but also highlighted numerous changes made in the eight years since they lost six firefighters. They will also offer the same presentation at this year's 25th anniversary Firehouse Expo in Baltimore in late July. The Worcester fire officers who made the presentation showed that they have progressed greatly in eight years. As in Charleston and other places that know tragedy all too well, it takes time to change.
Under the category of fire service leadership, we present the beginning of a three-part series titled "The Fire Service Food Chain of Bilateral Expectations," written by three Wisconsin fire officers, John G. Dahms, Richard A. Mueller and David F. Peterson. The series of articles examine fire service leadership responsibilities from the perspectives of a chief of department, a line chief and a company officer.
In this issue, we present the National Run Survey, Part 1, with more departments this year than in recent memory. Always one of our most popular features, the run survey is presented in several installments to accommodate the size and scope of the statistics. We thank Kevin Roche and Elizabeth Neroulas for their painstaking efforts in preparing the reports. Volunteer fire departments that would like to participate in the Volunteer Run Survey that will appear in the October 2008 issue can go to www.firehouse/magazine/survey/forms to download the survey. The forms are due Aug. 5, 2008.
A tip of the helmet to Firehouse® Contributing Editor Mike Smith on his recent appointment as director of the Disaster Operations Division of FEMA Region III, covering Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia. Mike will coordinate all FEMA efforts during disasters. Congratulations!
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