The Official Magazine of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Communications on the Fire Ground COVID-19 and the Fire Department Page 09 The Importance of Continual Training Page 12 Virginia’s FACT*R Program Saves Lives Page 14 Page 06 And much more! Legislative Update Page 16 Winter 2020-21Winter 2020-21 3 Published For: INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS 4795 Meadow Wood Lane, Suite 100 Chantilly, VA 20151 Tel: 703.273.0911 www.iafc.org Interim CEO and Executive Director Rob Brown Content and Communications Manager Steven Ilchishin Published By: MATRIX GROUP PUBLISHING INC. 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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 5 A Message from the IAFC President, Chief Richard Carrizzo FEATURES 6 The Importance of Portable Radios on the Fireground 9 What Does COVID-19 Phase 2 Mean to Fire Chiefs? 12 To Be a Leader, Train Like a Leader 14 Innovative New Program Delivers Whole Blood Transfusions On-Scene REPORT FROM WASHINGTON 16 Legislative Update 17 INDEX TO ADVERTISERS WHAT’S HAPPENING AT IAFC 18 A Message from Interim CEO and Executive Director, Rob Brown 14 12 94 International Association of Fire ChiefsWinter 2020-21 5 AS A NEW presidency year began for the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) in August, the IAFC was following a roadmap much earlier for the entire Executive Committee and Board of Directors. They had been working hard for the members as the organization changed and as financial strains continued. Our country had changed in ways that no one could have imagined; protests that had a direct impact on the first responder community, the inability sometimes to do our jobs, working and leading from home offices, the pandemic with no clear end, and the largest wildland fire season ever seen by many of us. In September, I had the privilege of touring many of the wildland fire sites from Sacramento, Calif., to Portland, Ore. Representatives from the Western Fire Chiefs Association, along with local chief officers, state, and U.S. Forestry officials, welcomed IAFC Interim CEO Rob Brown and myself with hospitality, detailed briefings, invaluable knowledge, and information that was eye-opening. The North Complex Fire (Oroville, Quincey, and Paradise, California) started on August 17 with an estimated containment just prior to the date of this publication. As we drove into Oroville, just about to run out of gas, the west side of town had bright sunny (hazy) skies and in the east, there were dark, dank skies that reminded you of a heavy mid-west thunderstorm. The black skies hovered over the airport, where helicopters staged due to the smoke density. This fire has claimed 15 lives to date and burned approximately 319,000 acres. One of the incident command team members gave the perspective that each acre is about the size of a football field. Let me explain in different terms; the fire burned approximately 498 square miles. Yet, this is not the largest of the fires this season so far. The Complex fire merged with the Doe Fire, burning 1,607 square miles. The cause of both fires is lightning. Oregon Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal, Mariana Ruiz-Temple, spent an afternoon fully briefing the team on the activities within Oregon and gave a synopsis of each of the fires, which at the time had killed 11 people. The predictions had created a much higher death toll, but due to good strategic decision-making, weather conditions, great firefighters, and maybe a little luck, this was not the case. A tour of the Beachie Creek Fire, which was 70 miles by 40 miles, provided an in-depth look at the fire travel patterns, which even destroyed one of the command posts. Since our tour, the Beachie Creek Fire has merged with the Lionshead Fire, destroying over 399,000 acres. Throughout the United States, not just in the West, America is continuing to burn. Some of us see the news while others are out there every day fighting these wildland fires. What used to be a season now has no start or end. Others are deployed from states away to assist and provide relief. So, where are we going? The U.S. Fire Administration has contracted with the IAFC to conduct a study on reducing risk and loss in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas of the United States. One goal is to assess the progress and identify current and future critical issues within the WUI. The study will produce America Burning – Wildland-Urban Interface: A Call to Action. This document will include guidelines and recommendations for residents, all levels of government, and response agencies. CHIEF RICHARD CARRIZZO IAFC President and Chairman of the Board America Burning President and Chairman of the Board Chief Richard Carrizzo First Vice President Chief Ken Stuebing Second Vice President Chief Donna Black President 2019-2020 Chief Gary Ludwig Treasurer Chief Steve Locke Director-at-Large Chief Roy Robichaux Canadian Division Chief Ken McMullen Eastern Division Chief Thaddeus Lowden Great Lakes Division Chief Timothy Schabbel Missouri Valley Division Chief Jim Wamsley New England Division Chief Chris Christopoulos Southeastern Division Chief Kingman Schuldt Southwestern Division Chief Roy Robichaux Western Division Chief Douglas Schrage EMS Section Chief Norris Croom Fire & Life Safety Section Chief Michael O’Brian Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association Chief Ernest Malone Safety, Health and Survival Section Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder Volunteer and Combination Officers Section Chief Jason Catrambrone Interim CEO and Executive Director Mr. Rob Brown BOARD OF DIRECTORS // PRESIDENT'S MESSAGET here are approximately 1.1 million firefighters within the United States who protect our citizens’ lives and property from harm’s way. About 336,000 are career, while 812,000 are volunteers. Would it surprise you to learn that when on-scene, and specifically within the Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) environment, many of these folks do not have access to a portable radio? As of 2016, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has investigated over 600 firefighter line-of-duty (LODD) deaths since the program was initiated; approximately 40 percent of the total number of firefighter fatalities. The NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program conducts independent investigations of firefighter line-of-duty-deaths to address this occupational hazard. What they found was: • Approximately 80 to 100 firefighters die in the line-of-duty each year. • A firefighter fatality is considered a line-of-duty death when the fatality occurs while the firefighter is on-duty or within 24-hours after last being on-duty or responding to an emergency event. • In 1998, Congress funded NIOSH to implement a firefighter safety initiative to address this occupational hazard. • Historically, approximately half of all firefighter line-of-duty deaths have been caused by heart attacks and cardiovascular disease. • Other leading causes of firefighter fatalities include motor vehicle crashes, rapid-fire progression, struck- by events, structural collapse, lost/ disorientation, and falls. There are some commonalities about firefighter serious injury and LODD investigations. One is that many firefighters do not have a portable radio assigned to them while operating within an IDLH environment. Communication is an everyday, basic human necessity. This is especially true while operating within an IDLH climate; a portable radio is as critical as personal protective equipment (PPE) and a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The Importance of on the Fireground Portable Radios By Bill Polen, IAFC COVER STORY \\Winter 2020-21 7 The city’s fleet maintenance division maintains all fire department apparatus. Annual testing (e.g., pumps and ladders), as recommended by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards, is conducted by qualified vendors. In addition to fire suppression, hazardous materials mitigation, and special operations response, the fire department operates an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division which consists of 12 Basic Life Support (BLS) Ambulances, 59 Advanced Life Support (ALS) Ambulances, and support staff including EMS Field Officers. The fire department also operates an aircraft rescue firefighting (ARFF) Division at two airports within the city. INDUSTRY BACK UP The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) posted a position paper on May 7, 2009: Assignment of Portable Radios/Two-Way Communication Devices to Every Fire Fighter on the Fireground. The IAFC adopts the position that every firefighter operating on the fireground be equipped with a portable radio/two-way communications device (hereafter referred to as portable radio), preferably with an attached lapel microphone. Having a portable radio allows each firefighter to report immediately, or be notified of, hazardous conditions or emergencies such as a missing or injured firefighter or potential or impending structural collapse. BACKGROUND Just as an SCBA and PPE are essential components of firefighter survival, so too are portable radios. While firefighters are encouraged to work in teams, there have been documented examples (in Prince William County, Va., for example) in which they become separated. In these situations, a firefighter without a radio leaves him/her with no ability to communicate, thereby increasing the risk of injury or death for that firefighter and/or other firefighters on the scene. Firefighters often work with limited or no visibility and with extreme noise levels: fire apparatus, saws, and smoke ejectors. Not being able to see or hear makes fireground communications • Vacant/hazardous building information not part of the automatic dispatch system; • Dilapidated condition of the structure; • Dispatch occurred during shift change resulting in fragmented crews; • Weather conditions including snow accumulation on the roof and frozen hydrants; and • Not all firefighters were equipped with radios. KEY RECOMMENDATIONS • Identify and mark buildings that present hazards to firefighters and the public; • Use risk management principles at all structure fires and mostly abandoned or vacant unsecured structures; • Train firefighters to communicate interior conditions to the Incident Commander as soon as possible and to provide regular updates; • Provide battalion chiefs with a staff assistant or chief’s aide to help manage information and communication; • Provide all firefighters with radios and train them on their proper use; and • Develop, train on, and enforce the use of standard operating procedures that specifically address operations in abandoned and vacant structures. ABOUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT The career fire department involved in this incident has 98 stations with 4,314 uniformed members, which serve a population of approximately 2,851,000 within an area of about 228 square miles. Specialty units consist of swift water, ice rescue, hazardous materials, and technical rescue teams. Department members assigned to the Operations Division work a 24-on/48-off shift schedule with three platoons or shifts. The department operates 24 battalions in six divisions. The fire department currently has 96 engine companies, 61 truck companies, four squads (heavy rescue companies which are two-piece companies), two marine boats, two helicopters, plus various support apparatus for high-rise, hazardous materials incidents, and special operations. A NIOSH investigation identified several radio issues, including firefighters on the wrong radio channel, low or dead batteries, a lack of proper training, the inability to transmit due to building construction type/weak signal, or the member simply did not have a radio assigned to them. The lack of portables for every member affects many departments, from very small to the largest in the United States. The following is an example of a very large urban department where not every member had their portable radio assigned. If it can occur there, then any smaller career or volunteer department can undoubtedly be affected. This report was done in 2011 yet today there are still fire department members who go into an IDLH without a portable radio. TWO FIRE FIGHTER DEATHS AND NINETEEN INJURED IN THE LINE OF DUTY: A SUMMARY OF A NIOSH FIREFIGHTER FATALITY INVESTIGATION: F2010-38 DATE RELEASED: JULY 6, 2011 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY On December 22, 2010, a 47-year- old male (Victim # 1) and a 34-year old male (Victim # 2), both career firefighters, died when the roof collapsed during suppression operations at a rubbish fire in an abandoned and unsecured commercial structure. The bowstring truss roof collapsed at the rear of the 84-year old structure approximately 16 minutes after the initial companies arrived on-scene, and within minutes after the Incident Commander reported that the fire was under control. The structure, the former site of a commercial laundry, had been abandoned for over five years, and city officials had previously cited the building owners for the deteriorated condition of the structure and ordered the owner to either repair or demolish the structure. The victims were members of the first alarm assignment and were working inside the structure. A total of 19 other firefighters were hurt during the collapse. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS • Lack of a vacant/hazardous building marking program within the city;8 International Association of Fire Chiefs point from which to assess conditions, including the size and location of the fire and building conditions. Information from outside can prevent crews from advancing into dangerous conditions inside. Having a radio assigned to each person is not enough. Firefighters must be trained in using the radio to request resources and, most importantly, to call a Mayday. In September 2003, NIOSH released the document, Current Status, Knowledge Gaps, and Research Needs Pertaining to Firefighter Radio challenging. During interior firefighting operations, firefighters use their portable radios to communicate with each other to assess the status of incident operations or to request specific firefighting tactics. Firefighters also use their radios to communicate with company officers to inform them of conditions. Most importantly, firefighters depend on their radios to call a Mayday. Portable radios allow firefighters inside to communicate with personnel on the outside who may have a better vantage Communication Systems. On page 13 it states, “It is critical for firefighters to communicate with one another within a structure and with units operating outside the structure, regardless of the building construction.” The best way this can be done when crews are separated or in trouble is through a personal portable radio. It is the chief officers’ responsibility to assure the safety and survival of the firefighters with whom they serve. The assignment of a portable radio is as basic to this as the assignment of turnout gear and basic PPE. It is one of the tools to do the job. SOLUTIONS/ OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE There are numerous charitable organizations, local business partnership opportunities, and state and federal grants for all sizes of fire departments located in jurisdictions across the United States to apply for assistance. Community outreach programs with local charity organizations can also provide the funds to purchase radios, etc. Partnering with local businesses can provide needed prospects as well. Please see the sidebar for information on some state and federal grant opportunities to secure radio and communications gear, and much more, etc. There are currently billions of dollars available for public safety; you simply have to apply for it! Elton (Bill) Polen, Jr. is a subject matter expert for the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). Bill retired as Fire Captain from Fairfax County, Va. Fire and Rescue Department, after a 30-year career. FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES GRANTS The following websites have great information on available grants: • www.firegrantshelp.com • www.motorolasolutions.com/ en_us/solutions/government- grants.html • www.fema.gov/grants/ preparedness/firefightersWinter 2020-21 9 • Hosting webinars to provide weekly information as the pandemic evolved and early impacts on fire departments occurred. • The “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Factsheet for Firefighters and EMS Personnel” was published and disseminated. • Weekly updates are provided regarding medical best practices; safe applications of PPE; updated information on the events impacting our critical supply chains; disseminating best practices on the mental health aspects of the pandemic; continually updating the best practices for personnel quarantine and isolation, and monitor the impact of the pandemic on fire and EMS services and positively influence how the federal and state governments have provided funding, resources (especially personal protective equipment or PPE), and regulatory support. This also includes prioritizing COVID-19 vaccine administration when one (or more) pass their safety testing and become available. IAFC MEMBER VALUE IAFC leadership and staff provide extraordinary support to members who are in the hot zones of the pandemic response. These efforts have included: I n early March 2020, former President Gary Ludwig introduced The IAFC Coronavirus Task Force composed of fire service leaders to address the issues the Coronavirus was having on the fire service. Fire Chief John Sinclair, IAFC President (2016-2017), was appointed as the Task Force Chair. The early work of the Task Force focused at the system level, with guidance on how fire service leaders could participate in the larger public health system response. IAFC leadership and the Task Force developed early approaches to supply shortages and the impact of community shutdowns and health care disruption. Much more importantly, the Task Force began to develop and share information that allows fire departments to protect firefighters and EMS personnel from contracting COVID-19 and deliver outstanding (but safe) emergency care to patients of all types. As the dangers of the disease became clearer, and many fire EMS personnel were exposed or became ill with the disease, the Task Force worked collaboratively with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) members of the Task Force to craft safety plans and best practices for quarantine. The IAFC’s accomplishments in preparing the fire and emergency service for the pandemic’s challenges became wrapped into the challenges of civil unrest, a vicious early wildland fire season, and a record-setting tropical storm year. Plans to protect wildland firefighters have to incorporate infection control and updated personnel monitoring systems. Over the last few months, the Task Force has focused IAFC efforts to By James Augustine, MD, Fire EMS Medical Director; Member of the IAFC Coronavirus Task Force What Does COVID-19 Phase 2 Mean to Fire Chiefs? // FEATURENext >