Fairfax, VA – The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and 13 partnering fire service organizations are calling for all fire departments in the nation to conduct a “stand down” for firefighter safety beginning Tuesday, June 21. As of May 1, there have been 50 line-of-duty firefighter deaths – that is 10 more than at this same time last year.
A stand down is a method used by the military to correct an issue that has been identified as a problem throughout its ranks. The IAFC and their partners* are urging fire departments to suspend all non-emergency activity on June 21 and instead focus entirely on firefighter safety.
“Firefighters are being killed at an alarming rate. The fire service simply cannot continue to do business as usual when so many of its own are dying,” said IAFC President Chief Bob DiPoli. “We are conducting the stand down to raise awareness of the need for increased vigilance toward fire fighter safety.”
The IAFC and its partners are urging all fire departments throughout the country to suspend all non-emergency activity and focus entirely on firefighter safety. If you are a career or combination department, please stand down beginning Tuesday, June 21 until all personnel and duty nights have been covered. If you are a volunteer department, please conduct a special safety meeting the evening of June 21 or as near to that date as possible.
The IAFC suggests taking the 21st to talk about the causes of line-of-duty deaths; check all apparatus and equipment; discuss health and safety regulations; review fire ground safety issues; and take stock of training exercises and fitness goals. The IAFC’shttp://www.iafc.org/standdownhas been devoted to the issue and includes a sample list of activities for the day.
“We must call attention to the unacceptable number of line-of-duty deaths and injuries plaguing our fire departments,” said DiPoli continued. “During the Safety Stand Down, fire departments all around the nation will have thorough, honest conversations about firefighter health and safety and maybe we do something to stop these deaths.”
After your department has stood down, please email the IAFC with a summary of the activities you conducted and your comments atstanddown@iafc.org. Call (703) 273-0911 with any questions.
