Keeping It Safe Robert Tutterow
Summit: Meriam-Webster’s dictionary lists one of the definitions as “a conference of highest-level officials (such as heads of government)”. In October 2023, during Fire Prevention Week, the fire service experienced its second U.S. Fire Administrator’s Summit on Fire Prevention and Control since 1947 when President Harry Truman established the “Fire Forum.”
The first Summit was held in 2022, and it was by invitation only. The 2023 event was open to everyone, subject to space available, and it was also available for remote participation. Both Summits were held at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Copious amounts of appreciation are extended to U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell for convening the Summit. Her energy, passion, and vision for the fire service are attributes for which the fire service should be proud.
Key participants in the morning session of the Summit were leaders from the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), and the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI). Federal government officials attending in person included Secretary of Homeland Security Aljandro Mayorkas; Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell; and Deputy Homeland Security Advisor for Resilience and Response Caitlin Durkovich. Joining virtually was White House Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall. There was an opportunity for the fire service leaders to answer questions from the federal representatives. President Joe Biden addressed the audience virtually (live) but did not ask or receive any questions. The afternoon featured multiple fast-paced five-minute presentations from various subject matter experts.
There were six key areas addressed by six fire service organizations represented:
- Wildfire and climate change.
- Recruitment and retention.
- Firefighter cancer.
- Mental health and well-being.
- Electric vehicles (EV) and energy transition.
- Codes and standards.
As one might suspect, firefighter health and safety was integral in all the topics. These are all huge challenges (and opportunities) the fire service must address. First, and foremost, we must collectively acknowledge and agree these are areas where change must occur. The changes must be in organizational culture, equipment design, and new technologies. And, many of the changes are interrelated.
One of the key comments that remains in my mind came from Fairfax County (VA) Chief John Butler, who is the current president of the IAFC. As IAFC president, he travels extensively and tries to visit a local fire station on each of his many trips. He says he always asks firefighters what is keeping them awake at night (other than emergency responses, of course) and he said younger firefighters almost always mention behavioral health. If you are an old curmudgeon like me, this comes as quite a revelation. As I reflect on it, I think we are dealing with a new generation of firefighters who simply have a totally different set of life experiences. They are part of the “participation trophy” recipients who were far more “protected” than us in previous generations. Somehow, the smart folks among us need to identify ways to develop resilience among the newer firefighters. And, so as not to downcast the newer firefighters, we need them to help us older folks adapt to the rapidly increasing technological advances.
From a cancer perspective, we must aggressively strive for funding to get early detection screenings implemented. Cancer recovery and survival are greatly enhanced if detected early. Of course, minimizing exposure to contaminants to prevent cancer is paramount. Personal protective equipment (PPE) research scientists and PPE component manufacturers are aggressively pursuing ways to make PFAS-free gear. Once PFAS-free PPE is available, there will be quite a challenge to the industry to get the product out to the fire service. I am hearing many of the manufacturers are planning for the onslaught of demand. And, where is the fire service going to get the funding to replace all its PPE, especially with many departments having two sets of gear and a fast-growing trend toward having a set of PPE for nonstructural responses?
From an equipment and apparatus perspective, the electric vehicle phenomenon is real and approaching fast. While many of us, rightly so, are skeptical of electric fire apparatus, I think they are coming. The Fire Industry Education Resource Organization (F.I.E.R.O.) recently held a one-day seminar on electric vehicles and electric fire stations. The subject matter experts were phenomenal in their presentations, and one could not have left without realizing what is coming down the road, despite our kicking and screaming. For example, about 18 months ago, the mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina, told the fire department chief that she wanted the fire department to purchase an electric fire truck and put it in an electric fire station. And, she said the money would not come out of the fire department’s budget. The truck is currently on order, and the fire station is in design. Stay tuned.
Perhaps I will talk more about this Summit later, but there are two things we should keep in mind and do: speak with one voice and advocate for the fire service to be considered “critical infrastructure” by all levels of government.
ROBERT TUTTEROW retired as safety coordinator for the Charlotte (NC) Fire Department and is a member of the Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Editorial Advisory Board. His 44-year career includes 10 as a volunteer. He has been very active in the National Fire Protection Association through service on the Fire Service Section Executive Board and technical committees involved with safety, apparatus, and personal protective equipment. He is a founding member and president of the Fire Industry Education Resource Organization (F.I.E.R.O.).
