First Responder Road Side Accidents

Responder Traffic Hazards

Traffic accidents involving First Responders are being reported on a frequent basis.  The First Responder Safety Institute has provided a Job Task Analysis for improving road side safety for responders. The Institute created as a Committee of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association, serves as an informal advisory panel of public safety leaders committed to reducing deaths and injuries to America's Emergency Responders.  A copy of the Job Task Analysis may be downloaded below.

A copy of the Job Task Analysis is available at:
http://lepcnews.squarespace.com/responder-traffic-hazards/
Job Task Analysis
http://lepcnews.squarespace.com/responder-traffic-hazards/Task_Analysis_Report11.pdf

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Helmet Cam Video posted on You Tube NJ Window Bail Out

Randolph NJ - Firefighter Allen Bell from Dover Fire Dept. in New Jersey captured this CLOSE CALL video of a firefighter who had to bail out of a 2nd floor window while conducting a search for a missing resident. As conditions worsened, the firefighter made it to a 2nd floor window and called out for a ladder. This put firefighter Bells RIT team into action by grabbing the nearest extension ladder to assist the firefighter. This video shows the firefighter falling from the window to the ground and other firefighters carrying him to the front of the house. This video should be used as a training tool. There are several training classes and videos offered that show proper technique in "ladder bail outs". You and your dept. should learn these techniques so this does not happen to you. His injuries were minor, but he could have suffered worse injuries. Also, the FC3 Fire Helmet Camera (www.FireVideo.net) was used in the video and shows that this camera can be another "tool for the helmet", and if used properly, can assist in training, review and investigation. Below is the story from the Randolph News. 

LODD KS

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Clay Center, KS

Jonathan Siemers of the Clay Center Fire Department in Clay Center, KS has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2010-02-20

Initial Summary:  
Upon completion of his shift during which he responded to an apartment building fire, Fire Chief Siemers returned home. Early the next morning, Fire Chief Siemers complained of shoulder pain and subsequently collapsed from and succumbed to an apparent heart attack. 

FF death notices from USFA

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Linn Valley, KS

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Stanley L. Giles of the Linn Valley Lakes Fire Department in Linn Valley, KS has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred 2010-02-10

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Priest River, ID

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

John Coyle of the West Pend Oreille Fire District in Priest River, ID has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2010-02-08

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Woolrich, PA

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Donald G. Mellott of the Woolrich Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 in Woolrich, PA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2010-02-12

NIOSH has recently released the following Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation Reports:

F2009-22

Jun 04, 2009

Fire fighter suffers intracranial cyst bleed during residential fire operations and dies three days later – Virginia http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200922.html

F2009-19

Dec 31, 2008

Fire fighter suffers sudden cardiac death while working at a residential fire – Mississippi http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200919.html

F2008-11

Mar 26, 2008

A career fire fighter dies and a career engineer is seriously injured investigating smoke resulting from a manhole fire – California http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200811.html

F2007-26

Jul 27, 2007

New Free After-Action Evaluations Program Available

The Firefighters Support Foundation (FSF) has released its newest free program, After-Action Evaluations. 
This approximately 30-minute video program presents two of the most powerful performance-improving techniques in use by the world’s best-managed corporations: root cause analysis and constraint analysis. 
These techniques are at the foundation of the long-term stellar performance of companies such as Toyota and IBM, but to date they have seen little use in the public safety professions despite the fact they are extremely well suited for them. 
This program presents the principles of these techniques as they apply to public safety and takes the viewer through examples. 
After viewing this free program professionals from firefighters to top management will have a clear idea of how to apply these extremely simple, but extremely powerful, management techniques to the continuous improvement of their own or their team’s performance

Like all FSF programs, this program is free to all public safety professionals. 
Simply go to http://www.ffsupport.org to download your copy.

EMS CEU’s from NFA

Now there is no reason that EMS personnel can have any excuses for not attending the NFA. Taking  EMS courses and receive CEU’s for attending.

Press Releases from the U.S. Fire Administration. This information has recently been updated and is now available.

USFA to Issue Continuing Education Credits for On-Campus EMS Courses

Emmitsburg, MD.- Students who need continuing education (CE) credits to maintain Emergency Medical Services (EMS) certification now can earn CE credits for each National Fire Academy (NFA) EMS on-campus course they attend in Emmitsburg, Maryland. EMS CE credits are accredited by the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS). It is estimated that this new NFA effort will benefit up to 750 students each year.

Beginning January 1, 2010, students who attend any NFA resident EMS course receive 35 to 60 CE credits, in varying categories, for each course completion. The number of CEs will be granted based on the length and content of the courses. The CE credits will be printed on a Continuing Education certificate, so that students will have immediate documentation of their work. Please note: CE credits cannot be granted for on-campus courses taken before January 1, 2010.

“It is evident that continuing education better prepares our EMTs and paramedics to meet the needs of their community,” said National Fire Academy Superintendent Dr. Denis Onieal. “By receiving accreditation for continuing education in Emergency Medical Services courses, the United States Fire Administration reaffirms its commitment to provide professional development that increases the abilities of our nation’s fire and emergency medical services.”

In addition to the CECBEMS CE credits, the NFA will continue to issue International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) continuing education units for its traditional classroom courses, as well as its online training programs, through NFA Online.

Questions about the CE program can be directed to Julie Davis at (301) 447-1084 or Michael Stern at (301) 447-1253.

4-11 in Chicago

Fire ravages popular Greek eatery Costa's on Near West Side

No injuries were reported, the fire at 340 S. Halsted St. that left the Costa's Greek Dining & Bar a total loss, according to Fire Media Affairs Dir. ...

In the heart of Greektown..heavy smoke conditions...aerial pipes, tower ladders and snorkels working. This was the 2nd of 2 major extra alarms the night of Jan 31-Feb 1 2010 Posted to You Tube by SRResquire
February 01, 2010

Also fire audo link below by radioman911:

Watch live video from Radioman 911 on Justin.tv