Firehouse Magazine Makes $20,000 Donation to Box 55
E ndeavor Business Media, the publisher of Firehouse Magazine, recently donated $20,000 to the Nashville Fire Buffs Box 55 organization, a 501 (c)(3) created in 1952 to serve the men and women of the Nashville Fire Department (NFD). The donation matches Firehouse’s $20,000 donation in 2018 that was the largest single donation to Box 55 at that time.
Box 55 responds to all working fires and by special request to other emergency situations such as search and rescue, SWAT, hazmat, major motor vehicle accidents and other extended operations. The organization provides refreshments and scene support to NFD, Metro Police, EMS and OEM. Box 55 operates 24 hour a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.
Endeavor Business Media CEO Chris Ferrell, along with NFD Director Chief William Swann, presented the donation to Box 55 President Buck Dozier.
“Firehouse is pleased to be able to make this donation to Box 55 to help this volunteer organization serve the men and women of the Nashville Fire Department,” Ferrell said. “Chief Swann and his department are valuable partners in putting together the training that fire department personnel from around the country come to Nashville to participate in at Firehouse Expo. We are glad we can give back to them by helping to support the good work of Box 55.” The Nashville Fire Department, along with other area agencies, works closely with the organizers of Firehouse Expo to help the event be a success every year.
“This wonderful donation from Firehouse Magazine to Box 55 is so appreciated by all of our volunteers, who work and serve the Nashville Fire Department and other first responders 365 days a year,” said Dozier, who is a former NFD director chief. “Box 55 also is delighted to assist Firehouse in putting on the best fire convention in America the past few years. Firehouse can be assured this gift will be used exclusively for the benefit of the men and women of the fire service in Nashville and beyond.”
As the demands and definitions of rehab continue to change, Box 55 is dedicated to changing and growing with them. The organization’s goal is to respond quickly when called and to provide rehabilitation and re-hydration to the fire department.
“It is always a great day when the Nashville Fire Department can work with the IAFF Local 140 to secure a donation such as this one for the members of Box 55,” Swann said. “This donation will benefit Box 55 but will also have a positive impact on all the organizations that benefit from the selfless support of these volunteers.”
NVFC Awarded Grant to Expand Fire Service Behavioral Health Initiatives
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the leading organization representing the volunteer fire, emergency medical and rescue services, has been awarded a federal Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) grant from FEMA to focus on responder behavioral health initiatives. The $278,900 grant will allow the NVFC to develop new tools and resources to help volunteers who are experiencing issues impacting their mental wellbeing.
Firefighters have a high rate of many behavioral health issues, including PTSD, depression and addiction. The Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance reports that more firefighters and EMS providers die from suicide each year than in the line of duty. To address the need for support services and resources, the NVFC launched the Share the Load program in 2014. This program includes outreach materials to raise awareness about the signs, symptoms and options for those in need of support as well as a toll-free helpline that responders and their families can call for help with any behavioral health issue.
With the new grant, the NVFC will be able to expand the Share the Load program by working to further reduce the stigma in the fire service surrounding behavioral health as well as make support more accessible. Working with partners including the American Psychological Association, the NVFC will develop tools and training for departments to help them create psychologically healthy workplaces. A national directory will also be created of counselors, psychologists and other qualified healthcare providers who have experience working with first responders.
“Firefighters and EMS providers experience things on a regular basis that can significantly impact their mental wellbeing,” said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. “Having tools and resources to help them cope with the challenges and get assistance if needed is critical in supporting our nation’s fire and emergency services. We thank FEMA for awarding us this grant so that we can continue to help departments address behavioral health and provide real solutions to our brothers and sisters in need.”
The FP&S grant is awarded by FEMA to support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards. Previous FP&S grants have assisted the NVFC in developing and implementing groundbreaking health and safety initiatives including the Share the Load program, Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program, Serve Strong outreach campaign and cancer awareness and risk reduction resources.
Climb for a Cure
The 11th annual Portland Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge saw more than 400 climbers from across North America race up 42 floors (more than 800 steps) at the US Bancorp Tower, also known as “Big Pink,” in downtown Portland, OR. The climbers, in full combat gear including SCBA, raced to support the mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The event generated more than $160,000 for CF research and care.
Racers compete for individual titles in both men and women categories. This year’s top overall male was Derek Sherrell of the Kingsley Field, OR, Fire Department with a time of 6:03. The top overall female was Emily Snodgrass of Gresham, OR, Fire with a time of 8:56.1.
Since 2009, hundreds of firefighters from across the country and around the world have participated in the Portland Stairclimb and have raised more than $1.2 million in the fight to beat cystic fibrosis and make CF stand for “CURE FOUND.”
For more information on the Portland Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge, visit portlandstairclimb.com. For more on the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, visit cff.org.
Line-of-Duty Deaths
4 U.S. firefighters recently died in the line of duty. One death was health-related, one was the result of a gas explosion, one firefighter died in a motor vehicle accident and one firefighter died from injuries sustained nearly one year earlier when he was hit by a vehicle while directing traffic. This edition of Firehouse is dedicated to these firefighters.
CAPT. MICHAEL BELL, 68, of Farmington, ME, Fire Rescue, died on Sept. 16. Employees inside of a recently renovated two-story administrative office made an emergency call reporting that they smelled propane. All employees evacuated immediately. Bell responded with the Farmington Fire Rescue to the emergency call. Soon after firefighters arrived on scene and began to investigate, there was an explosion that leveled the building. Bell was killed as a result of injuries sustained in the explosion. Six other firefighters, including the fire chief, and a maintenance worker were reportedly injured and transported to hospitals around the state.
CAPT. CLAUD MESSER, 74, of Jonathan Creek Fire and Rescue in Waynesville, NC, died on Sept. 20. While operating a fire department vehicle, Messer was involved in a vehicle accident on Jonathan Creek Road (Highway 276 North) as he responded to another emergency traffic accident call. Messer passed away as a result of the injuries sustained in the accident.
FIREFIGHTER EDWARD NULTON, 60, of the Kunkle Fire Company in Dallas, PA, died on Sept. 19. On Sept. 21, 2018, Nulton was directing traffic at the scene of a vehicle accident when he was struck by a dump truck. He suffered critical injuries, including traumatic brain injury, from which he was unable to recover. Nearly one year to the day of the accident, he passed away as a result of his injuries.
FIREFIGHTER KENNETH STAVINOHA, 36, of the Houston Fire Department, died on Sept. 21. While on duty at Station 27, Stavinoha suffered a medical emergency and did not survive. The cause of death is pending an autopsy.
