Closing keynote highlights firefighter safety & survival

By Shannon Pieper
Managing Editor, FireRescue Magazine and Wildland Firefighter

Jeff Berend, publisher of FireRescue Magazine and vice president of Elsevier Public Safety, kicked off the event by thanking the Henderson Fire Department for providing the facility for the conference’s hands-on training, Clark County Fire Department for hosting the conference, conference partner Nevada Fire Chiefs Association and Masimo, the sponsor of the closing keynote.

In honor of Veterans Day, Kathy Hedrick of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation observed a moment of silence and encouraged all participants to apply what they’d learned at the conference to prevent future injuries and deaths. Hedrick, a mother of a fallen firefighter, spoke directly to all firefighters: “We want you to understand how great your responsibility is—on the fireground, the scene of an accident or any emergency scene—your life can change instantly,” she said. “You have come here this week to learn and share stories, but all the training, all the classes in the world will not help if you do not practice what your learn.”

PHOTO GLEN ELLMAN Chief Billy Goldfeder speaks during the FireRescue Expo's closing keynote on Saturday.

Next, Bill Webb, the executive director of the Congressional Fire Service Institute, addressed the recent changes in Congress and the challenges ahead for the fire service. “My message is quite simple: Get involved in Congress,” he said. Acknowledging that firefighters had lost a key advocate in Congressman Curt Weldon, he added, “We will need to strengthen our coalition even more.”

But the real highlight of the event was the keynote address by Chief William Goldfeder, deputy chief of the Loveland-Symmes (Ohio) Fire Department and the driving force (along with Gordon Graham) of firefighterclosecalls.com. Goldfeder shared several videos showing firefighters engaging in dangerous behavior—driving too fast, not wearing complete personal protective equipment, etc. “We continue to amaze ourselves with the stupid $@#! we do,” said Goldfeder.

Though entertaining, Goldfeder’s message was serious. He stressed that firefighters who engage in risky and dangerous behavior are actually showing a lack of respect for their loved ones. “We die so unnecessarily,” he says. “It’s not about you. If you get killed, the world moves on, except for those you left behind.” Goldfeder shared highlights of his personal life, including the marriage of his oldest daughter, to underscore how important it is for firefighters to stay safe, so they are present for the special moments. “If I do something stupid, who’s walking her down the aisle?” he said.

The keynote also included presentations of the Company Officer of the Year and the Harvey Grant Excellence in Rescue awards. Lieutenant Steven Shupert of the Miami Township Division of Fire & EMS in Miamisburg, Ohio, won the Company Officer of the Year Award; Ted Halpin, co-founder of FARMEDIC, an organization that trains rescuers in farm machinery extrication, won the Harvey Grant Award, sponsored by Holmatro, TERC and FireRescue Magazine.

Watch for additional coverage of the 2006 FireRescue Conference & Exposition in the January issue of FireRescue Magazine.