By Glenn A. Gaines
Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator
I am writing this as I sit at the desk of the United States Deputy Fire Administrator. It is mid-December of 2009 and my thoughts are of the thousands of firefighters, emergency medical personnel and command officers standing watch so people like me can safely go about living our lives in peace and security. My thoughts also are of the training officers, fire prevention staff and support personnel who serve as silent heroes who rarely receive recognition or enjoy the bright lights of coverage from local or national media for a job well done.
I have served in the fire and EMS service for more than 40 years now. Most of my career was spent at the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department in Northern Virginia including nine years as fire chief. Later I served as a principal member of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant staff.
2009 exemplifies just how diverse and complex our challenge is and why it is so important we continue to ensure we are not outpaced by the changing surroundings. Several notable events affecting our profession highlighted the 2009 environment.
Line of Duty Deaths
Early numbers indicate firefighter LODDs may fall below the 100 mark for the first time since 2006. I have to believe fire and EMS leadership, labor leaders and front line members committed to safety and good health maintenance are making a difference.
National League of Cities Cancer Study
In April, the National League of Cities released a study entitled “Assessing State Firefighter Cancer Presumption Laws and Current Firefighter Cancer Research.” The study found “there is inadequate scientific research to determine a link between working as a firefighter and an elevated risk of contracting cancer.” This report galvanized fire and labor leadership and their members into a joint effort to refute the results of the report. The U.S. Fire Administration took the position that the report did not provide sufficient data to warrant the elimination of cancer presumption laws and further study is warranted.
One- and Two-Family Residential Sprinkler Code Requirement
In a significant victory for home and firefighter safety, the International Residential Code voted by a 7-to-4 margin to retain the mandatory requirement for all new one- and two- family dwellings to have residential fire sprinklers starting in 2011 by state or local adoption. The vote on October 28 was overwhelmingly supported by the 1,650 credentialed International Code Council member voters (many of whom were firefighters and other fire service professionals). This vote reaffirmed an action taken late in 2008.
USFA’s National Fire Academy Rolls Out Easy Button Training
This fall the National Fire Academy began piloting an innovative online training program designed to reach fire departments across the country and internationally. This online training will be offered through local and volunteer fire departments in partnership with the State fire training programs. Look for more information about this new program early in 2010.
USFA Strategic Initiatives
New U.S. Fire Administrator Chief Kelvin Cochran has identified eight initiatives the USFA will begin work on this year. Full descriptions of these initiatives will be available in the USFA Strategic Plan in early 2010 and they include:
• Fire Prevention and Life Safety
• LODD and Injuries
• Professional Development
• Emergency Preparedness
• Evaluation of Federal Grants
• Upgrading the National Emergency Training Center
A Look to 2010
The USFA has committed to provide easily accessed, high quality information, programs and training to all its stakeholders during the coming year. We have pledged to become more involved with our federal partners to represent the American fire and EMS services and to seek innovative programs that will support all of our stakeholders in this difficult and challenging environment.