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Welcome to the ISFSI Academy!The ISFSI Academy, in partnership with the Open Fire Academy, is expanding the opportunities for training and resources for its members. Whether you are an instructor, training officer, or ISFSI state chapter, we are building resources for all. The key to this project is very simple... to get the information needed to those who need it... the line firefighter. If you have resources or training you wish to share or if you are looking for information, begin here. If you have any suggestions or comments, please email us at: isfsi@aol.com.
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Career Probationary Fire Fighter Dies While Participating in a Live-Fire Training Evolution at an Acquired Structure - Maryland
Put aside some time to read the recently issued NIOSH Report on the BCFD, Rachael Wilson LODD on February 9, 2007. There are numerous lessons to be learned from this incident related to Live Fire Training (NFPA 1403 Standard), Instructor Qualifications, Training Program Integrity and Leadership, Accountability and how fast things can go wrong. Also look at the end of the report related to the fire dynamics and behavior.
Think about how you conduct live fire training, look at the qualifications of your instructors and how you manage your programs, and also stop and think about the true capabilities of your recruit personnel as well as your "veterans". Also, If you're not familiar with the NFPA 1403 standard on Live Fire Training...you need to be.
SUMMARY
On February 9, 2007, a 29-year-old female, career probationary fire fighter died while participating in a live-fire training evolution at an acquired structure. The victim’s class was conducting a live-fire training drill that is required by the department’s training protocol for their NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, Fire Fighter I. The victim was part of a four person engine company, led by an adjunct instructor, that made the initial attack on a training fire in a vacant, condemned, three-story, end-unit, townhouse. The scenario called for the victim’s crew to enter the front of the townhouse and proceed to the third floor to find and extinguish any fire on the third floor. They were to by-pass any fire on the second floor so that the second due engine could practice suppression on that floor. The victim’s crew encountered heavy fire on the second floor and third floor stairwell as they proceeded to the third floor. The victim, operating the nozzle, and the adjunct instructor attempted to fight fire on the third floor, but conditions made it untenable. The adjunct instructor was able to exit through a window located on the third floor landing followed by a fire fighter who was backing up the victim on the hoseline. However, the victim got stuck attempting to exit the window which was 41-inches above the floor. The victim became unresponsive as the adjunct instructor and other fire fighters attempted to free her from the window.
After she had been freed, she was transported to a local trauma center where she was pronounced dead. NIOSH investigators concluded that, to minimize the risk of similar occurrences, fire departments should:
conduct live-fire training exercises in accordance with the most recent edition of NFPA 1403, Standard on Live-Fire Training Evolutions
ensure all training and education, including live fire training, is conducted under the direct supervision of a qualified instructor(s) who meets the requirements of NFPA 1041, Standard for Fire Service Instructor Professional Qualifications
provide the Training Academy and Safety Division with adequate resources, personnel, and equipment to accomplish their training mission safely
screen recruits to ensure they meet the physical performance requirements as established by the fire department prior to entering a training program to become a fire fighter
develop and maintain a comprehensive respiratory protection program which complies with NFPA 1404, Standard for Fire Service Respiratory Protection Training
ensure all recruits meet the requirements of NFPA 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments prior to entering the training program
develop an inspection criteria to ensure that all protective ensembles meet the requirements of NFPA 1851, Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Structural Fire Fighting Protective Ensembles
ensure coordinated communication between the Instructor-in-charge and the live-fire training participants
utilize the incident command system and a personnel accountability system, for all incidents, including live fire training exercises, that meets the requirements of NFPA 1561, Standard on Emergency Services Incident Management System
create a training atmosphere that is free from intimidation and conducive to learning
Additionally;
States should develop a permitting procedure for live-fire training to be conducted at acquired structures and also ensure that all the requirements of NFPA 1403 have been met before issuing the permit
INTRODUCTION
On February 9, 2007, a 29-year-old, female career, probationary fire fighter (the victim) was fatally injured. On February 9, 2007, the U.S. Fire Administration notified the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of this incident. On March 19-23, 2007, two Safety and Occupational Health Specialists and a Safety Engineer from the NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program investigated this incident. Meetings were conducted with the fire department; city safety office; representatives of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF); the State’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MOSHA); and, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Interviews were conducted with fire fighters and officers who were involved with this incident, the training academy officials, and the fire department safety office. The investigators reviewed the victim’s training records, the department’s standard operating procedures (SOPs), autopsy reports, witness statements, the victim’s personal protective equipment, the manufacturer’s turnout gear inspection report, the training academy’s curriculum and instructor’s qualifications. The incident site was visited and photographed. The investigators also viewed a video of a previous live-fire training event.
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Application procedures announced for the 2009 Harvard Senior Executives program
Application procedures have been announced for the 2009 Harvard Fire Executive Fellowship Program. The program is once again sponsored through a partnership between the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the International Fire Service Training Association/Fire Protection Publications (IFSTA/FPP), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Department of Homeland Security -United States Fire Administration (USFA). Each organization will fund the tuition costs of two individuals for a total of eight fellowships.
USFA Administrator Gregory B. Cade in announcing the 2009 Program said, "my experience of the State and Local Program at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government was by far one of the best professional development opportunities I have ever undertaken. The curriculum, faculty, and setting were truly outstanding. Most importantly, as a former Fire Chief, I know the State and Local Government Program has provided me with experiences and tools to confront the many challenges facing fire and emergency services today. The program was and continues to be particularly valuable when examining and understanding the relationships between careerists, elected, and appointed officials."
Eight senior fire executives will be awarded fellowships to attend Harvard's annual "Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government." The 3-week program is conducted on the Harvard campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Selected Fellows will be assigned to attend one of the two session dates: June 7-26, 2009, July 5-24, 2009. Fellows must be available to attend either session.
Applicants are responsible for travel costs to the final interview process in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and if selected, also to Cambridge. Housing will be provided at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg for the interview process in April of 2009. Fellows are expected to continue their professional contributions to fire and emergency services in light of their State and Local Program experience.
The following criteria and guidelines have been established for the 2009 program:
- Application is open to senior fire executives who have demonstrated significant career accomplishments and have the potential to impact and initiate change. Attainment of a senior position is less important than demonstrated experience in facilitating significant change within a public sector setting.
- Preference may be given to applicants who are graduates of the National Fire Academy's "Executive Fire Officer Program," although program completion is not a prerequisite. Preference may also be given to applicants who have completed graduate-level degree programs or course work.
- Individuals whose organizations have been represented in the Harvard Fellowship
Program during 2006, 2007, or 2008 will not be considered. The program is available to international participants.
Application Instructions:
(Please follow these three steps carefully as the application procedures have changed from prior years).
1. Applicants must complete and submit the Harvard/Kennedy School of Government Application For Executive Education. This form can be obtained by entering the following URL in the browser window:
http://ksgexecprogram.harvard.edu/download/ksgapp.doc . This form-fillable document can then be completed for submission to the address listed below, not to Harvard. It is recommended that this form be saved to your computer. For the question "Who will be the financial sponsor of your participation?" please enter "IAFC/IFSTA-FPP/NFPA/USFA Fellowship". Make sure that you attach your essay responses (250 words or less for each question response).
2. Enclose a current resume or curriculum vitae.
3. Enclose a letter of recommendation from your senior official. If the applicant is the Chief then the letter should be written by the jurisdictional head (e.g., Mayor or City Manager). Otherwise, the recommendation should be from the Fire Chief.
4. Please do not submit your application package directly to the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Mail the application package (traceable mail with receipt is recommended) no later than February 11, 2008 to the following address:
Harvard Fellowship Program
International Association of Fire Chiefs
c/o Ms. Elena Slavinsky
4025 Fair Ridge Drive - Suite 300
Fairfax, Virginia 22033-2868
5. For questions regarding application procedures only, please contact Ms. Mary Wingert at the USFA @ (301) 447-1085 or mary.wingert@dhs.gov
6. If the applicant's organization or position should change (voluntarily or involuntarily) after the application package has been submitted, she/he is obligated to notify Ms. Wingert.
Application packages postmarked after February 14, 2009, will not be considered.
For more information please refer to the United States Fire Administration/National Fire Academy website http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa/harvard/index.shtm or the Harvard University/John F. Kennedy School of Government Senior Executives in State and Local Government website
http://ksgexecprogram.harvard.edu/Programs/sl/overview.aspx |
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ISFSI Second Vice President Christopher Naum was invited to present a paper and speak at the 2008 International Conference on Firefighting and Disaster Prevention, held at the Kangwon National University in Samcheok City Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea. Chief Naum gave a presentation on "Trends in Command Risk Management & Safety and a perspective on Firefighter Safety and Line of Duty Death Reduction Efforts in the United States". The International Conference on Firefighting and Disaster Prevention was held in conjunction with the Samchoek SAFEM Fire and Emergency Equipment Expo, a comprehensive event that consisted of general meetings of the IFSTA, International Disaster Prevention Conference, exhibition of fire and emergency equipment, international firefighting training and demonstrations of new fire and emergency equipment. Samcheok City is working to become an international center for fire and equipment industry and disaster preparedness planning in Asia. Chief Naum was a member of the international faculty that consisted of prominent fire service officials from the United States, Canada, Israel, Sweden, The United Kingdom, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and China. Dr. Tony Brown, Associate Professor of Political Science at Oklahoma State University (OSU) and Political Science Department’s Program Coordinator for the Master of Science in Fire and Emergency Management Administration coordinated the international faculty presentations and program.
 
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