DENVER — THE USFA is aiming to advance firefighter and civilian safety through a range of programs, U.S. Fire Administrator Ernie Mitchell told FRI in Denver on Friday.
The administration has added technical assistance in disaster response as one of its primary duties and that it has an expanded role in the national response framework, Mitchell said in the keynote address.
“A major emphasis of the United States Fire Administration’s role will be to work with and through the International Association of Fire Chiefs to activate and coordinate local resources using instruments and agreements that IAFC already has in place, which will result in enhanced capacity for disaster response,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell said USFA is also working with FEMA to establish a method for deploying career, volunteer and retired firefighters during disasters.
These deployments would be for special situations and may eventually involve rostered strike teams to support local resources.
He said the agency is working with IAFC on a study that will look at reducing firefighters’ risk-taking behaviors.
“This study is designed to identify behaviors that adversely impact firefighter health and safety and to develop sound programs based on that study,” Mitchell said.
USFA also entered a partnership with Hope Worldwide in a program called “Protecting our Neighbors.” The group will focus on residential fire safety on Sept. 11 as part of national day of service.
“In conjunction with FEMA, the Red Cross and private industry, they will be raising fire-safety awareness, teaching fire safety and installing smoke detectors in many of our communities that have not been reached,” Mitchell said. “They will be reaching out to local fire departments across the country and we encourage your support.”
Mitchell congratulated the fire service for making significant strides in helping improve fire safety, but urged them to do better.
“In many ways we can do better,” he said. “We must step up as leaders and show the way.