Recovering from the loss of nine men on June 18, 2007 has been difficult. A cultural change brought some resistance but the key was bringing in fire service leaders from outside the state to offer new ways of thinking. First to arrive was Chief James Ghi, Director of Training. Next up was Tom Carr and Tippett.Combined with the can do attitude of the Charleston firefighter a winning combination has been found and leaders within the department are starting to flourish.

We will begin to focus more on Charleston as they build Charleston into one of the nations best.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) today reaffirmed their support for fire service-based emergency medical service and urged public officials to support all efforts to broaden emergency medical care and ambulance transport by the fire service to better protect the public.

The IAFC Board of Directors outlined its support for fire service-based EMS in August.

“Fire service EMS is the most efficient and effective model for the rapid delivery of all emergency medical services. When time is critical and effective pre-hospital care is necessary, the fire service is well positioned strategically, geographically, administratively, financially and operationally,” the IAFC position statement reads.

The IAFF Executive Board in September voted to reaffirm its commitment to fire service-based EMS.

“Prehospital 9-1-1 emergency response is an inherent governmental function and one of the essential public safety functions provided by fire departments throughout the United States and Canada,” the IAFF Executive Board said.

This joint statement of the IAFC and IAFF underscores that fire service-based EMS is the most efficient and effective model for the rapid delivery of emergency medical services because the fire service is strategically and geographically positioned to provide rapid EMS care. That’s why the fire service has become the first-line medical responder for critical illnesses and injuries throughout North America. For many fire departments in North America, EMS calls comprise more than 70 percent of all responses.

With public safety budgets getting slashed, public officials must recognize that the fire service is an all-hazards responder, making it the ideal prehospital 9-1-1 emergency response agency providing rapid response and competent patient care, the IAFF Executive Board said.

This method of operation shields departments from being able to ask the necessary questions prior to purchasing PPE. It's an old boys game of reward, advertise, reward and sale. Sales people get the rewards and the companies advertise and sale.

It's important to note most PPE will do the job. The question is how long, how often and how well can the gear protect the firefighter. Don't worry about what the "XYZ" fire department is wearing because more than assessments go into purchasing.

In some cases relationships have been established and the winner of the bid is the company with the inside information. Does that make their gear the "best" for the job? No, it means they won a bid which is nothing considering the competition was zero.

What about the company that donates to all the right causes and routinely advertises it? Think about it for a minute. That's great but it carries with it a real coup for the company. They can brag about how much they "care" for firefighters. If they cared they could donate it anonymously and let their product speak for itself.

Every firefighter should question the bid process in their department. Who is getting the bid and why? How does the gear hold up? Contact other firefighters and ask them. The internet allows you to avoid official channels and gets you feedback on how a department really feels about their PPE. Forget the hype. Buy the best gear for your department.

Three people perished as firefighters were heading to the wrong address but a Mayoral spokesmen, in callous fashion, pointed out the lack of smoke detectors and poor wiring:

“In the scheme of errors that contributed to three people dying, these are probably more significant,” he said. (New York Times)

Really? When firefighters arrived they could hear a victim yelling for help. Since the closest fire station was just a couple of blocks away, and firefighters headed in the wrong direction due to a billion dollar communication system fiasco, perhaps the spokesmen should stick to topics of which he has some knowledge.

Perhaps the real issue here is the fact that this didn't occur in one of the wealthier enclaves of New York City. Had this happened in many neighborhoods investigations would be underway but the people who perished don't show up on social registers.

Firefighters are being asked to more with less and now on top of everything the bravest have to deal with each tour, they also have a communications system making "errors." These errors have cost lives.

FDNY Firefighters Correct in Questioning Dispatchers

Prince Georges County Volunteers and Arson

$20 Killed A Detroit Firefighter

Columbia Firefighter Injured In Fire

Benjamin and Finlay Plus One

Any Further Cuts Would Mean City Unable To Serve Citizens


MP3 File

A 911 call taker input the wrong address sending FDNY units to the wrong address while the actual address was burning. Once redirected firefighters attempted to make rescues but it was too late. Three people perished and firefighters are upset over the mistake.

FDNY units operate "in order of arrival" and their system works superbly. The new dispatch protocols, plus mistakes in 911 call taking, have led to units arriving out of order. All in the name of artificially reducing response times, the system doesn't take into account how firefighters operate in the street.

However, even in the opinion piece there is a lack of understanding of triaging essential services. This isn't the fault of the writer because few understand the vital importance of staffing and station coverage. Therefore it isn't surprising to read a few of the comments and come away scratching your head.

Yet the op/ed is correct in the vast majority of areas. City council still seems unable to separate what is essential and what isn't during a lean budget year. Worse, even in the face of public scrutiny, the council continues along on its merry way, attempting to run the city as usual while public safety dwindles.

Perhaps then one of the key issues not being explored is the information being given to council. Council operates based on the information given to them by the managers. What are the conversations taking place there and is anyone trying to protect their turf rather than provide information showing fire protection is way down? It's a theory, one stated to this author by several politicians. It just doesn't fit though.

The onus is on council. No blame exists anywhere else when it comes to cutting public safety. As the race for a new mayor enters the last two months of 2009 expect some revelations about votes, decisions and money spent.

In the end the bottom line is firefighters need all of the tools to protect citizens. They don't have them right now and with more bad news likely to show up in the coming week it will be interesting to see how council responds to internal city decisions.

The injured firefighter is reportedly in good condition with only minor injuries.

The FDNY protects over 2,229000 residents in the borough of Queens.

A memorial mass will be held at the fire station now sitting where the fire took place. When we learn of the time it will be posted. Also, on the same day, the awards ceremony for the state will be held, the first time that has happened in 9 years.

Vice President Joe Biden is expected to attend.

NIOSH recommends that all fire departments operating fire apparatus equipped with automatic slack adjusters (ASAs) immediately take the following actions to reduce the risk of fire fighters being injured in an apparatus crash due to brake failure:

The two are just the latest in what is a widespread problem within the fire service. Some leaders play down the number of volunteer firefighters starting fires but not everyone is caught. Again, if a firefighter has committed an arson related crime they should not be allowed to work as a firefighter.

Any department or local needing help with getting their message out can contact Firefighter Hourly. We will be glad to help you out.

It's called "Tools" and you can download a copy of the article.

This is in the plan released yesterday by the Finlay Campaign.

This is in an article by Adam Beam in The State newspaper.

Which is it? The difference is substantial.

The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) John P. Redmond Symposium will take place November 8-12 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles, California. The IAFF’s goal is to provide IAFF affiliate departments with the tools necessary to prevent fire fighter fatalities, injuries and illnesses. The IAFF and the John P. Redmond Foundation are committed to continuing the fight to make this job safer and have been on the frontline in every major health and safety initiative in the fire service.

IAFF President Harold Schaitberger states:

Our fire fighters and paramedics continue to face traditional hazards and emerging threats during an economic crisis where budgets are being cut across North America.  The IAFF continues on the frontline to improve the health and safety of our members.  This year’s IAFF Redmond Symposium reflects our commitment to ensure the survival of our members on the fireground, with new programs, initiatives and tools.

IAFF members can register here.

Kirkman Finlay had to react quickly when he discovered Steve Benjamin was going to hold a press conference to discuss fire department cuts made by the same council Finlay serves on but he might have waited a day and refined his work. As it stands, after reviewing the document, it creates more questions than it answers.

Here are some thoughts about each of the points made above:

1. Extending the county fire contract is a good idea but it goes without saying. In addition, due to recent revelations regarding Richland County EMS it makes sense to strengthen cooperation with EMS.
2. The term "firemen" hasn't been used for some time and showcases the rushed nature of this document.
3. Also, firefighters already assist in "first aid" although it is within the sphere of first responder duties. The issue is providing a driver during a trauma call. Clearly Finlay doesn't understand the role of the department as it stands now.
4. Increasing the training regimen for firefighters is very broad and offers no clue as to what he means.
5. It's also interesting that he talks about the special operations equipment and training needed for it. The department hasn't held a burn in some time and basic firefighter skills must be addressed before classes for advanced topics can begin, even if new equipment has arrived.
6. Engines 9 and 8 can't remain closed for two to three years. If that's the plan then something is dreadfully wrong because first and foremost staffing and stations remaining open must take precedence over other issues. These dates fail to take into account possible monies generated in the interim. It would have been wise to say, "Return both engines to full staffing as money becomes available." these fixed dates appear to mean Finlay has set the date and that's just how it's going to be.
7. Restructuring the command staff has obvious implications. Change in the command structure isn't wrong but it isn't right unless there are valid reasons, and explanations, for undertaking such action. Will the same occur at Parks?
8. The next few items are hardly capable of being deciphered by the public. The Volunteer coordinator doesn't fall within Special Operations yet the two are mixed. Both deserve attention but each are worlds apart.
9.  Fifth training officer is an odd term. One supposes he meant add one additional training officer. However, why add there when engines aren't being staffed? This is something we will explore in the future as it has specific meaning for certain members of the department.
10. Finlay also notes on a separate page the need to improve fire inspections. He has been a proponent of adding more staff even in the face of aboslute evidence that engines out of service, and one injury or fatality associated with it, will cost the city more in the long run than beefing up inspections. There are many questions surround the desire to move the inspections process forward and some wonder why Mr. Finlay is such a big proponent. Perhaps he is a safety advocate or maybe, just maybe, there is another reason. We will explore that in the future as well.

Again, I salute Mr. Finlay for putting something on paper but it is an obvious attempt to counter Mr. Benjamin's well timed press conference. As such the document leaves many questions and will require Mr. Finlay to edit it to some degree in order for it to be applied should he hope to get elected. Were he willing to take advice he might revise his plan and redistribute it.

We discuss the press conference today In Columbia by Steve Benjamin and the Fire Plan put out by rival Kirkman Finlay.

We also discuss how firefighters will respond.


MP3 File

Reopen engine 9 in 2011

Reopen engine 8 in 2012

Restructure Command Staff

Allow people off for professional classes

Fund the Volunteer Coordinator

Use special operations equipment given by the state to Columbia

One has to give Kirkman Finlay credit for putting his plan on paper. It allows for debate and shows what he plans on doing if elected. However, one also wonders if he is willing to modify it since it contains far fewer specifics about restructuring the command staff than one would have expected from someone with inside information. In short, given his plan, an obvious rush job, how many specifics does he have available.

Residents near Atlas Road would have to wait three years for their engine company to be restored while Engine 9, in Shandon, would have to wait two. This alone puts Finlay in a poor position with respect to supporting firefighters.

Both candidates will appear on WACH Fox Morning show.

Standing across the street from Station 9 in Shandon, Benjamin eloquently delivered a short but powerful indictment of cutting funding to public safety. His statement is resonating with firefighters who are becoming aware of his comments. In addition, several national fire service writers, as well as media, are now interested because Benjamin joins a small list of political candidates who have spoken out nationwide for first responders. All are leading in their respective races for election.

Columbia has gutted the fire department while spending more money on other projects. Just recently the city has hired a firm to look at the efficiency of the city.

Candidate for Mayor Steve Benjamin discusses cuts to the fire department. In the background is Columbia Station 9 where an engine was closed earlier in the year.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) today reaffirmed their support for fire service-based emergency medical service and urged public officials to support all efforts to broaden emergency medical care and ambulance transport by the fire service to better protect the public.

The IAFC Board of Directors outlined its support for fire service-based EMS in August.

“Fire service EMS is the most efficient and effective model for the rapid delivery of all emergency medical services. When time is critical and effective pre-hospital care is necessary, the fire service is well positioned strategically, geographically, administratively, financially and operationally,” the IAFC position statement reads.

The IAFF Executive Board in September voted to reaffirm its commitment to fire service-based EMS.

“Prehospital 9-1-1 emergency response is an inherent governmental function and one of the essential public safety functions provided by fire departments throughout the United States and Canada,” the IAFF Executive Board said.

This joint statement of the IAFC and IAFF underscores that fire service-based EMS is the most efficient and effective model for the rapid delivery of emergency medical services because the fire service is strategically and geographically positioned to provide rapid EMS care. That’s why the fire service has become the first-line medical responder for critical illnesses and injuries throughout North America. For many fire departments in North America, EMS calls comprise more than 70 percent of all responses.

With public safety budgets getting slashed, public officials must recognize that the fire service is an all-hazards responder, making it the ideal prehospital 9-1-1 emergency response agency providing rapid response and competent patient care, the IAFF Executive Board said.

1. The company officer is your new, best friend. Act accordingly.
2. Learn basic skills first prior to asking about specialized skills. Everything specialized begins with the basics.
3. If you have a question ask it but make sure it is done with respect. Don't interrupt another conversation. Very often the other person on the back of the truck can offer the answer.
4. You receive an assignment to go to a station. Shut up and go. Don't complain about it. If more firefighters accepted their assignments without the "kinder, gentler" attempt to appease, the departments would run smoother.
5. There are fire service fads. Don't get caught up in them. Your probie year shouldn't be spent buying everything out of a Galls catalog.
6. Pay attention during training. In a bad situation you will default to this level.
7. Don't learn the name of the equipment only. Learn how to use it, take it apart and put it back together.
8. NEVER talk bad about your crew to another crew.
9. Keep a log of all your calls. Just brief notes about what it was because this helps you learn your area and the type of calls you can expect.
10. Training can be a one person activity. You should train.