Protecting Young Responders

I have carefully watched firefighter line-of-duty deaths and injuries for many years. Although no death or injury is more important than another, I pay closer attention to reports of young firefighters’ injuries and deaths than ever before. I was once a young firefighter, and I know the risks I took when I responded to alarms in my own car and on fire company apparatus. My interest in the safety of young firefighters comes from the tragic deaths of some young firefighters in 2007 when responding and returning, coupled with the fact that an 18-year-old firefighter is now working in my department. My son Donald will also become a probationary member in my fire company sometime in 2008, and I feel it is the job of every experienced firefighter and company or department officer to keep these young firefighters, including my son, safe as they become experienced firefighters and knowledgeable drivers.

On May 11, 2007, 19-year-old Brandon Daley was killed after he lost control of and was ejected from his personal vehicle while responding to a nighttime residential structure fire in Kansas. On September 9, 2007, 20-year-old Jared Zimmerly died when his vehicle struck a utility pole and a tree while responding to a daytime mutual-aid call for a residential fire in Ohio. He reportedly was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from his vehicle. On October 4, 2007, 24-year-old Adam Cole was killed in a personal vehicle accident driving to his fire station for an outdoor fire call. His vehicle reportedly crossed the centerline while negotiating a curve and struck an oncoming vehicle; on-scene authorities reported that he was not wearing a seat belt.

I did not include the names and stories of these tragedies for shock value or to stir up bad memories for their home fire departments or their families. I also do not intend to blame or second-guess these young firefighters and their actions leading up to their final moments, which were admirable; they did what they loved to do—responded to their fellow community members’ needs. Hopefully, this article will make you think about the young firefighters in your own department. Bring this information to their attention. Talk to them regularly about responder safety. What more can we do?