The Official Magazine of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Honoring Industry Leaders Surviving Prostate Cancer Page 7 Improving the Hiring Process Page 12 Zero Roadway Fatalities Page 14 Page 5 And much more! Winter 2022-23Winter 2022-23 3 13 Published For: INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS 4795 Meadow Wood Lane, Suite 100W Chantilly, VA 20151 Tel: 703.273.0911 www.iafc.org CEO and Executive Director Rob Brown Director of Communications Bill Rehkopf Published By: MATRIX GROUP PUBLISHING INC. 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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 4 A Message from the IAFC President and Board Chair COVER STORY 5 Honoring Leaders in the Industry FEATURES 7 This Time: My Cancer 12 Is There Finally Something New and Better in Fire/EMS Hiring? 13 Increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Fire-Rescue Service 14 Zero Roadway Fatalities REPORT FROM WASHINGTON 15 Legislative Update: Endgame for the 117th Congress 17 INDEX TO ADVERTISERS WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE IAFC 18 A Message from the IAFC CEO and Executive Director 07 054 International Association of Fire Chiefs problem caused by the increasing impacts of wildland fires. As a board, we will do our part to collaborate with our partner agencies. We will tell our story and insist we be considered part of the national critical infrastructure. When the critical needs of fire and emergency services are communi- cated and understood, allocation of resources is a reasonable expectation. Our communities are counting on us. “Honor tradition” and “embrace innovation” have been my messaging over the last few years. It is essential that we honor the traditions of our service, and that we never forget. We must go into the future with respect for the history and legacy of the fire service and impart that in all we do. However, we must recognize when the reality of our circumstances requires change. Embracing innovation, let’s work together to identify better ways of doing our work. Apply technologies that will keep our communities safer and improve our ability to respond. Expand and improve our global footprint so we can share and learn from others. And it is imperative we look outside our indus- try for best practices to support and equip our current leaders and prepare our future leaders as well. As I stated in my speech, I am going to focus my attention on com- municating with you, representing you, and working with you to ensure we remain the leading agency of fire and emergency leaders. I ask you to walk alongside me, and let’s work together to find solutions that will bring our organization to a new and higher level of skill and ability. With a unified mission and defined mes- saging, we will affirm and confirm the value of the IAFC. Fire Chief Donna Black IAFC President and Board Chair leadership development and support to include the executive level. We heard your desire to depict the fire service in more realistic and prac- tical ways as we operate today. We recognize the continued need to fund projects that provide best practices and enhance our experiences so we may strive to improve service delivery and ensure public trust through our continuous efforts to nurture a diverse, inclusive, and well-trained workforce. Building and supporting our IAFC membership is at the forefront of the years that lie ahead, and the health and wellness of our members is paramount! We gathered representatives from the divisions, sections, committees, and councils along with the Board of Directors to draw upon their experi- ences and ideas to identify and imple- ment strategies to move us forward. I am excited that we have developed a realistic and actionable strategic plan that will serve as our guiding light for a unified effort as we consider future opportunities. This will have an impact on every fire and emergency service leader from the smallest rural depart- ment to the largest metro area. Over the next few months, the strategic plan will be made available and incor- porated into the 2023 budget process. This association embodies rep- resentation. Our divisions, sections, committees, and councils as well as the Board of Directors are where all our work comes together. I encour- age our members to engage and take an active role in our work, as the strength of our organization lies with you. Through our initiatives to lead, educate, serve, and belong, we will position ourselves for success for the next 150 years. We have witnessed tragic civilian fire loss, unspeakable violent inci- dents, and the changing urban fire IT WAS GREAT to be immersed with fire and emergency service col- leagues and friends in San Antonio for Fire-Rescue International (FRI) 2022. It also marked a special profes- sional moment for me as our U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell challenged me, Chief Butler, Chief Waldo, and Chief Locke upon our swearing in. I accept the responsibil- ity to provide leadership, foresight, and loyalty of purpose to progress our organization to a new and higher level of skill and ability. I will take this opportunity to share highlights of my speech to our entire membership, as I hope to set an expectation for the coming year. Established in 1873, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has provided a forum for fire and emergency leaders to exchange ideas, develop professionally, and advocate for our industry through representation. Reflecting on our col- lective challenges over the past sev- eral years has given us an opportunity to re-evaluate priorities, assess our resources, and recognize our desire for not only organizational but also emergency service sustainability as we exist in the 21st century. We initiated a strategic planning process with the assistance of our col- leagues at Tenzinga. Through initial outreach to focus groups, we heard our membership express concerns about the ongoing challenges of recruitment and retention, succession planning for the future, and the need for enhanced A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT \\ IAFC: The Next 150 YearsWinter 2022-23 5 firestorms was inadequate and worked with his community to develop new strategies focused on prevention, pre- paredness, and appropriate mitigation methods to save future life, property, and the environment. Chief Ludwig is the past President and Chairman of the Board for the IAFC. During his term as IAFC President, Chief Ludwig was faced with the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the early days of March 2020, several weeks prior to the shutdown in the United States, Chief Ludwig implemented a Coronavirus Task Force consisting of fire chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters leaders, physicians, and private industry. The Task Force met weekly and conveyed vital information to mem- bers across the country. Chief Ludwig’s actions led the fire service through the pandemic during the most difficult time. BEN FRANKLIN AWARD FOR VALOR The IAFC Ben Franklin Award for Valor is the IAFC’s most prestigious award. Since 1970, the award has recog- nized the spirit of service, courage, and heroism that is a proud tradition among the world’s fire and emergency service. partnership with Pierce Manufacturing Inc., a global leader in custom fire appara- tus innovations and manufacturing. Active chiefs who have shown admi- rable contributions in leadership, innova- tion, professional development, integrity, public service, and contributions to the fire service are eligible for this award. The IAFC appoints a selection committee to review nominees for this award. This year’s Fire Chief of the Year recipients are volunteer Fire Chief Marshall Turbeville of the Northern Sonoma County Fire District in Sonoma County, California, and career Fire Chief Gary Ludwig of the Champaign Fire Department in Champaign, Illinois. Chief Turbeville led his communi- ty’s response to the devastating wild- fires in California over the last several years, including the Tubbs, Pocket, Kincade, and Walbridge fires. These fires caused widespread damage and destruction to the area and triggered significant emotional and psychologi- cal trauma within the community and the fire department. After frontline experience fighting these fires, Chief Turbeville deter- mined the status quo response to the Honoring Leaders in the Industry // COVER STORY Thousands of people from across North America and around the world involved in fire and emergency services gathered in San Antonio for Fire-Rescue International (FRI) from August 24 to 26. This annual event is a chance for leaders in the industry to learn from each other and about the latest in fire technology as well as an opportunity to network and collaborate. FRI is also a place for the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) to rec- ognize and celebrate a number of award winners, including the Fire Chief of the Year and Ben Franklin Award for Valor. Congratulations to this year’s win- ners! The nomination period for the 2023 awards will be announced in the new year. FIRE CHIEF OF THE YEAR Since 1996, the Fire Chief of the Year award has recognized one volunteer and one career fire chief for their leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, public service, and contributions to the fire service. The IAFC presents the Fire Chief of the Year award in proud (From left): Chief Ken Stuebing, IAFC past President, presented volunteer Fire Chief Marshall Turbeville and career Fire Chief Gary Ludwig with the 2022 Fire Chief of the Year award, alongside Jim Johnson, President of Pierce Manufacturing. (From left): Lieutenant Kris Prosser, Captain Michael Kaake, and firefighter paramedic Tyler Abbatiello received the 2022 Ben Franklin Award for Valor. 6 International Association of Fire Chiefs The Whitewater River is one of three major tributaries that empty into the Ohio River within the greater Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio area. It is used extensively for a variety of recreational activities. On July 24, 2021, previous flooding, newly fallen trees, and power- ful, swirling currents made for danger- ous conditions. That day, the Hamilton County Communications Center (HCCC) received a 911 call from a kayaker informing dispatch that a person they were with had overturned his kayak. The HCCC dispatched Whitewater Township Fire Department and additional water rescue elements, among them the Colerain Township Department of Fire and EMS’s Rescue 26 and Boat 26, as well as the Cincinnati Fire Department’s Rescue 14 and Boat 14. Colerain’s Boat 26 launched first, with the crew of Kaake, Prosser, and Abbatiello. They found the overturned kayaker near the confluence with the Ohio River, where he was struggling to stay afloat and continuously being swept under by currents and undertow. Prosser was able to move the boat within several yards of the kayaker. Kaake and Abbatiello swam to him and were able to secure a personal flotation device and anchor it to an overhanging tree. For several minutes, they held onto the kayaker and kept him from being pinned against a growing pile of debris while they awaited additional support from Cincinnati’s Boat 14. The boat was able to get into a position that allowed rescuers to pull the victim onboard and take him safely to shore. “It is an honor to present this award to the heroes from Colerain Township Department of Fire and EMS,” said Chris Lonnett, Vice President of Motorola Solutions. “Your commitment to training and conditioning prepared you to act quickly and make steadfast decisions in the face of extreme danger and pres- sure. On behalf of Motorola Solutions, the IAFC, and the communities you serve, thank you for your bravery. Because of you, a life was saved, and a man was able to return home to his loved ones.” Kaake, Prosser, and Abbatiello received Medals of Honor at FRI for their outstanding contributions. IAFC past President and Board Chair. “We thank this year’s very deserving recipients for their courage.” The 2022 Ben Franklin Award for Valor recipients are Captain Michael Kaake, Lieutenant Kris Prosser, and firefighter paramedic Tyler Abbatiello. Nominated for their heroic and swift water rescue in the Whitewater River, the members of the Colerain Township Department of Fire and EMS in Ohio exhibited incredible brav- ery, perseverance, and commitment to public safety. This award is sponsored by Motorola Solutions, a global leader in public safety and enterprise security, and is named after Benjamin Franklin, one of the first fire chiefs in the United States. An inventor, statesman and humanitarian, Franklin was a prime contributor to the wealth of tradition that symbolizes the fire and emergen- cy service worldwide. “The award recognizes firefighters worldwide for their expert training, leadership, heroic actions, and safe practices,” said Chief Ken Stuebing, Winter 2022-23 7 both cancerous and noncancerous tis- sue in the prostate. Prior to what I describe below, my PSA level rose only slightly over three years, but with the added risk of firefighter-related cancers, exposures, and an unknown family history (I was adopted), I realized I was at risk. In July 2021, the PSA was rising again (but still under 10). I went to the Urology Group of Cincinnati and underwent numerous tests, includ- ing a prostate biopsy, a CT scan, an MRI, and a bone scan, none of which caused pain. A few days later, my urologist told me I had prostate cancer. Although my cancer was considered stage 1, my cancer cells were very aggres- sive, resulting in a Gleason score of 9. Anything less than 6 isn’t overly con- cerning, and the worst is 10. Even though we caught the cancer early, the urologist was concerned about the cancer cells escaping my prostate – and the Gleason score indicated those cancer cells wanted to escape very badly. is about the boy region and its rela- tives in a nearby neighborhood. The prostate is part of the male reproductive system. It is a walnut- sized gland located between the blad- der and the penis. The urethra runs from the bladder to the penis, through the center of the prostate. Men, you have your prostate to thank for being part of your personal pipeline of pleasure, reproduction, and relief. I profusely thanked mine before its recent departure. Do I miss Mr. Prostate? Read on. PROSTATE CANCER?! How did I know? Did it hurt? Any symptoms? No symptoms. None. No issues with the “gloved hand” test. Nothing unusu- al was found. My issues started with an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The PSA test is a simple blood test that screens for prostate cancer by measuring the amount of PSA in your blood. PSA is a protein produced by This is my attempt at writing a very basic, but very hon- est, “firehouse talk” article about cancer. Some people are afraid of even the word cancer – I get it. With that said, this column has some words to intentionally draw your attention, with the hope of saving your life. I came very, very close to having a different outcome to this story. How close? Google “Gleason Score 9” when you have a second. A BRIEF BACKGROUND I’ve been a firefighter since 1973, and I still love it. In 2022, I continue as an active deputy chief who regularly responds to fires and participates in training. I am telling you my cancer experi- ence so you can learn. For example, someone asked me, “Did you find out you have prostate cancer from a colonoscopy?” I answered no. Colonoscopies check your butt neigh- borhood. My butt is currently fine. This // FEATURE By Chief Billy Goldfeder, Loveland-Symmes Fire Department My Cancer This Time: Chief Billy Goldfeder is a prostate cancer survivor and stresses the need for male firefighters to get tested.8 International Association of Fire Chiefs is now a highly respected physician. He and his peers (who are experts in urology) were my second opinion. You must get a second opinion. Teri and I agreed surgery (robotic) would achieve the best results. My surgery was a robotic prostatectomy, which is a laparoscopic surgery done via a robotic system. My surgeon sat at a control panel in the operat- ing room and moved robotic arms to operate through five small incisions in my abdomen. The robotic system pro- vides the surgeon more maneuverabil- ity and more precision when moving the instruments than what is possible non-robotically. SURGERY TIME, AND A TUBE My surgery (three-and-a-half hours and another four hours to wake up) was on October 8, 2021. I was in the hospital for one night. What was really cool is they “traded” my cancer-filled prostate for a catheter. Go ahead now and squint your eyes. Say, “Nope. No way. No one is sticking a tube up into my ‘pal’ down there!” Again, there was no pain. Was it awkward for the seven days I had to use it? Of course. I normally don’t have anything attached to my “pal,” but, overall, no big deal. Think back to what you and your little buddy have been through in your life together. A little catheter? Piece of cake. When the tube is in, you don’t know when you are peeing, because the urine automatically flows into a small bag taped to the leg, and you (or the best wife ever) dump it a few times a day. WAITING FOR RESULTS After surgery, I was home for a total of 30 days. No lifting, light schedule, and so on, which meant no bunker gear, so no work or runs. A week after surgery, they removed my catheter. It stung for about a sec- ond as it was removed it, but I was fine after that. When my prostate was removed via radical prostatectomy, some tis- sue around it, including the seminal vesicles and lymph nodes, was also wife and me. I spoke with my chief, Otto Huber, and a few close friends, but no one else. I spoke with our kids two weeks prior to the surgery. My family is my life, but I wanted to make this as least disruptive to their lives as possible. This way, I told them what was going on, what we had researched, who we spoke with, what we were doing about it, and when we were doing it. They did appreciate it. HOW MY CANCER WAS TREATED My urologist explained two options existed for my specific cancer treat- ment: radiation or surgery. Both have pros and cons. I initially wanted radia- tion because of the experiences of friends, even though I had little knowl- edge of the two options. But surgery? That sounded like, well, surgery, and I didn’t like the sounds of that. Teri and I weighed the options and spoke with friends at the FCSN. I also spoke with some longtime fire service friends who survived prostate cancer. I have remained close to many of my brother and sister firefighters over the years. One of those firefighters To be honest, I wasn’t scared or wor- ried about myself. I was (and remain) concerned about my family. We have five kids and six grandkids, and my dis- abled sister counts on me each day. Otherwise, I saw this cancer issue as a fire: we’re on scene, we sized it up, we determined what we are going to do, and we do it hard, fast, and with the best- trained and well-staffed folks anywhere. A CRITICAL NOTE In my opinion, you should wait until you decide on a course of action before sharing with others you have cancer. This prevents you from getting advice from all of the so-called “fire- house physicians.” With that said, don’t decide on a treatment until you reach out to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN). The people there will connect you with other firefighters who sur- vived, and you will hear their experi- ences firsthand. After you weigh out all the options, you will likely reach the conclusion of what’s best for you quite naturally. I kept this cancer issue close to my Chief Billy Goldfeder’s grandchildren supported him on his cancer journey. Winter 2022-23 9 slight rising of a PSA, or didn’t get a PSA test, or got one and were told to see a urologist and ignored it or put it off. After all, if you have no symptoms, how bad can it be? Remember, I had no symptoms! Look at the photos of your fam- ily on your phone, in your wallet, in your helmet, and in your locker. Get your PSA test now. The odds are you are fine, but if not, you will be way ahead of it and can knock down your “room and contents fire” versus a fully involved, out-of-control personal conflagration. Chief Billy Goldfeder, EFO, a fire- fighter since 1973, serves as a Deputy Fire Chief of the Loveland-Symmes Fire Department in Ohio. This piece origi- nally appeared in Firehouse Magazine. But I had major surgery, and it takes time for the body to recover from that and the anesthesia. And now for the good part: sexual function. The real answers that you want to know. Pee, shmee. What about sex and erectile abilities? Well, it takes time. It does seem to be getting better, so I am hoping that will continue. I am not yet where I was (aka sexual dynamo), but I am seeing some improvement. GET CHECKED This was the closest call I have ever had. I was in several crashes responding. I was in two fire collapses. I was lost and disoriented once. I was assaulted at a fire and got my bell rung. I faced whatever else a typical suburban firefighter would over 49 years. But cancer was the biggie – and that’s why I wrote this column to you. Male firefighters have the great- est chance of losing their lives due to cancer. I am begging you, if you are 40 or older and you go to fires (or know someone who does), a PSA test is a must. No excuses. Ask for it. Make sure it happens. If you ignore getting a simple PSA test and have cancer, it won’t go away. It will get worse and can kill you. Too many firefighters have ignored the removed and tested for cancer to see whether any “micro stuff” escaped from the artist formerly known as my prostate. At my 30-day appointment, the surgeon took blood and tested it to see what my PSA was. I crossed my fingers. I prayed. I hoped. He called me two days later, stating enthusiastically, “Your PSA is perfect at 0.01, and I will see you in three months.” OUT OF THE WOODS? So, am I in the clear? Sort of. I am far better off than if I didn’t have my PSA checked in the past several years and didn’t have the surgery. However, because my cancer was confirmed by the post-surgery pathol- ogy report to be highly aggressive, despite being considered cancer-free at the time of this writing, a high risk of metastasis (cancer spreading to other organs) exists. I will get blood tests every three months to ensure the cancer does not rekindle. WHAT’S CHANGED IN MY LIFE I wrote this column seven weeks after surgery, so keep that timeline in mind. Changes for everyone post- surgery are different based on the individual. One of the changes I’ve encoun- tered has to do with urination, which the prostate used to control. Some of that bodily function is relearned. I have had a few incontinence issues, but if you tell me a joke and I laugh really hard, I might dribble a little. Same if I cough. (Talk to any woman who has had kids. It happens.) I am wearing a pad and will be for a few months. Another difference is in the past when I had to pee, I had 15 to 20 min- utes to ignore it, wait, hold it in, then go. Nope. No more. When the pee tones go off, I can’t be delayed. My energy levels have also changed. Some say that’s not a result of the surgery but of my age (66). To those people, I say, “Shut up.” Before surgery, when 11 p.m. came around, I was ready for bed. Now, some days, 6 p.m. is my new 11 p.m. PROSTATE CANCER RESOURCE Chief Goldfeder created 40PlusFIRE (www.40plusfire.com), a website male firefighters and their loved ones can use to easily understand everything about prostate cancer. It features a downloadable document from Dr. Michael Hamrock, Boston Fire Department’s physician. Show this document to your physician or urologist so they can learn about the cancer risks associated with being a firefighter.Next >