Every year communities struggle each year around the nation with issues of life safety. In 2012, the nation’s fire departments responded to 31,854,000 responses that resulted in the deaths 0f 2,855 civilians and injuring 16,500 causing an estimated $12,427 million dollars in damage. (United States Fire Administration, 2014) These incidents put at risk 345,950 career and 783,300 volunteer firefighters that resulted in the deaths of 81 individuals (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2013) and nearly 70,000 reported injuries. ( Karter & Molis, 2013) These numbers represent incidents that are determined to be in the line of duty but do not take into consideration the long-term health risk issues that may develop. Evidence shows that he hazards associated with Fire and Emergency Services are consistent across the board whether paid or volunteer and jeopardize the lives and health of each individual, placing administrative and physical control measures reduces this risk to firefighter within an organization. While it is impossible to eliminate the hazards firefighters face, it is important to identify these hazards as the first step in reducing the potential for loss of life and wellbeing both physically and mentally.
The United States Fire Administration is responsible for the establishment criteria for a Line of Duty Death determination (LODD). The criteria include a fatality or fatal injury or illness that may occur while on duty. For the purpose of LODD “On Duty” encompasses any incident that occurs at the scene of an emergency, responding to and from an incident or any other activity that would be considered officially assigned duties such as training. Fatalities that are associated with a documented exposure to a communicable d...
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...lity Determinations. Retrieved January 26, 2014, from U.S. Fire Administration (USFA): http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fireservice/firefighter_health_safety/firefighter-fatalities/reports/criteria.shtm
United States Fire Administration. (2014, January 9). United States Fire Administration. Retrieved January 26, 2014, from National Fire Protection Association Estimates: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/statistics/estimates/nfpa/index.shtm
Verfuss, E. (2004, December http://web.a.ebscohost.com.ezproxy2.apus.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=9317536a-b02c-4188-bab5-ea6a58065e50%40sessionmgr4004&vid=2&hid=4107). Can adequate rehab prevent firefighter deaths? Fire Engineering,, pp. 43-50.
Yang, J., Teehan, D., Farioli, A., Baur, D., Smith, D., & Kales, S. N. (2013). Sudden Cardiac Death Among Firefighters £45 Years of Age in the United States. American Journal of Cardiology, 1962-1967.
To illustrate management in the fire service has an enormous responds ability to be prepared in handling problems that personnel can encounter specifically post dramatic stress disorder or PTSD. The management problem that has to be overcome will be PTSD. PTSD becomes a difficult topic for management personnel
An effective mission statement at a fire department can be incredibly influential on the morale of the personnel—which as a result, can dramatically improve the performance of personnel when put into practice. Furthermore, because of the importance of a fire department’s mission statement, there should be a considerable amount of thought put into the drafting of one; and one of the most vital parts of an effective mission statement is to make sure that it can be put into practice. With that being said, the mission statement at my fire department is “One Team, One Group, One Fight”.
Mental health in the fire service is an upcoming problem, but has been occurring for years without firefighters even knowing it. Specifically post-traumatic stress disorder known as PTSD and firefighter suicides are the main issues that have a large impact in the fire service. This outline will lay out the main points that are a result, impact, or other subjects in relation to the two main issues above. Firefighter deaths are rising rapidly, members of the fire service need to be educated on PTSD and suicide to provide treatment before another devastating event occurs in result of the issues effects.
The United States Department of agriculture Forest Service investigation report on the thirty mile fire.
As emergency providers we are viewed as a trusted and valuable source of information particularly when it comes to protecting the public. Through the years the America Fire Service has recognized the need to build and maintain effective emergency response capabilities. The new norm for the fire service has many common similarities with financial restraints that affect staffing levels, response times, equipment needs, growing pressures from political groups, and various demographic considerations, yet the expectations to provide a high quality service are still present. While response readiness is absolutely necessary, it is no longer viewed as sufficient. Many fire organizations have continued to be reactive in today’s emergency response requests. They may understand how to mitigate a call of service, but with the expectations of our customers, it is now time for these fire service organizations to become even more proactive in community needs. This has been demonstrated not only by individuals but by organizations, communities, and even countries, as they have recognized, citizens are demanding more.
As an employee of The New York City Fire Department, it is our duty to know its mission state and what its internal core analysis consists off. “As first responders to fires, public safety and medical emergencies, disasters and terrorist acts, the FDNY protects the lives and property of New York City residents and visitors. The Department advances public safety through its fire prevention, investigation and education programs. The timely delivery of these services enables the FDNY to make significant contributions to the safety of New York City and homeland security efforts. The New York City Fire Department’s internal core analysis consists of: Service: the department continues its unwavering call to protect and serve. Bravery: courage is the foundation of each character. Bravery is the ability to overcome fear through fortitude, instinct, compassion for others and training. Safety: our citizens must be reasonably free from danger, especially deliberate, harmful acts. With the best equipment and training, the department can reduce the risk to the public and its members at fires, emergencies and medical incidents. Honor: the enormous commitment necessary to perform the department’s tasks requires excellence of character. They inspire each other through pride in the unit, which is a belief that every action reflects on all the members of the unit, both past and present. Dedication: a commitment to the objectives to their mission is an essential part of their code of conduct. The faithful observance of duty, calls for the FDNY to fulfill their obligations professionally and honestly. Preparedness: by combining all of the components of their core values, the FDNY will maintain its constant state of readiness to meet all threats and c...
Fire department calls. (2013, November 1). Fire department calls. Retrieved May 27, 2014, from https://www.nfpa.org/research/reports-and-statistics/the-fire-service/fire-department-calls/fire-department-calls
In 2007 there were forty stress-related deaths in the fire service, there was also thirty-eight deaths classified as sudden cardiac deaths, like heart attacks, or heart failure. Heart failure in firefighting is caused by continuous hard stress on the body, when inside fighting fire for long periods, or fighting large outside fires, and lack of rest (Fahy). When you go inside of a burning building you have 110+ pounds on you from your gear and protective equipment and tools(Quarters). On February 19, 2007, a 44 year old died inside of a fire while actively fighting from a heart attack. Cardiac issues only come up to about 37% of injuries and death, 8% is nonspecific, 28% internal trauma, 23% asphyxiation, and 4% burns
Deciding to become apart of an EMS workforce is a life changing decision. One must take into consideration many factors that may hamper one's effort to perform the job correctly. Violence against emergency workers continues to emerge (Anderson 1991). In recent years, EMT's and EMS workers have become targets in urban areas. EMS workers enter urban war zones daily and face many man made dangers.
Firefighting Firefighting is a very exciting and fulfilling career. You will not believe the hard work and training firefighters do on a regular basis. Firefighters put in a lot of hard work when it comes to preparing for calls and working around the station or with the public. Firefighters are strengthened everyday for any disaster or call that might come their way. The safety of the firefighting career is important, the training they go through to begin this path isn’t all that effortless.
A firefighter is a person who is brave and helps other people in anything, especially fires. The definition of a firefighter is a person who fights destructive fires. The history of a firefighter began in ancient Rome. People or civilians were putting out fires and were being called firefighters. Benjamin Franklin, on January 27, 1678, established the union fire. That was one of the first firefighter groups.
The fire service revolves around the science of fire behavior. The fire service must understand the science behind fire to successfully attack and defeat the aspects of fire behavior, the products of combustion and prevent loss of life and property, Modern technology both hurts and helps how the fire will behave in a variety of scenarios, previous fire science research and education were based on vertical ventilation and a coordinated fire attack. However, a new study conducted in 2012 by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) produced science applied research on both analytical data and reconstructed visual comparisons on fire behavior proving old fire suppression methods are dangerous
They frequently witness sadness, illness, tragedy, and property destruction and although training can help with resiliency it cannot prevent all impacts to first responders. Not only do they sacrifice their mental and physical health, they intentionally put their lives in the line of danger everyday. Both firefighters and law enforcement officers make sacrifices in their personal lives to help keep people safe. Besides all of the sacrifices that these first responders make, there are other negative affects from being in this business. Firefighters have an increased likelihood of developing lung cancer while law enforcement officers have an increased risk of being shot or injured on the job. Both careers can lead to prehypertension and hypertension leading to cardiac arrest due to many underlying factors and stresses of the job (Kales, Tsismenakis, Zhang, & Soteriades, 2008). Even though firefighters and law enforcement officers may each have their own negative impacts, they both have hardships and health
Most city residents and industries have a fire station which is situated within miles or blocks of their house. For those who liv...
Firefighting has been a thankless job since the beginning. It started out as a group of people with one objective; to extinguish a fire. They did not worry about the consequences or repercussions from not having any personal protective equipment. The equipment to help keep all firemen safe has drastically changed from being non-existence to the upmost importance. Without safety equipment, firemen cannot perform their job to the best of their ability. Firemen use turnout gear which has three major parts; helmet, jacket, and SCBA.