Fire Officers Discuss Safety Issues

From Firehouse.com EMMITSBURG, Md. -- As of Monday, statistics show 20 firefighters across the nation have lost their lives on duty so far this year.

Last year, 114 paid the ultimate sacrifice.

About 140 fire and rescue personnel from across the country spent this past weekend at the National Fire Academy networking and learning how best to spread the Courage to be Safe message.

The attendees -- from both small and large departments -- said they are passionate about reducing the number of injuries and deaths.

The Everyone Goes Home Safety Summit attracted not only state and regional advocates, but people interested in joining the cause.

"I think the weekend was a huge success," said Billy Hayes, advocates program manager. "We had some well-known speakers who focused on safety. I'm sure people took away many nuggets..."

Hayes said the EGH program goal is to have an advocate in every state. The volunteers undergo a background check from the regional staff member to insure they understand the commitment.

Things will not get better until there's a cultural change. Atlanta Chief Kelvin Cochran said firefighters take risks every day. But, asked whether all those risks are necessary.

He recalled the death of a firefighter who died after entering a vacant duplex without proper gear. Unfortunately, he said, crews continue to race into empty buildings. And, they don't always have on SCBA.

Cochran said it's time people stop celebrating unnecessary risk-taking. It's that unsafe behavior that gets passed on from seasoned crews to the rookies. And, he said it has to stop.

He challenged the audience: "Am I doing everything I can do to minimize the potential of one of my firefighters dying in the line of duty?"

While it's a tough decision, he said officers and RIT crews need to know when it's time give it up, and back out. Cochran said it's unacceptable that some believe dying in the line of duty is greater when the death occurs while the firefighter was attempting to save a fellow firefighter.

It's vital for every firefighter to strive for one common goal -- you go home, we go home.