Sirius XM's The Emergency Medicine Show to Feature Emergency Medical Services Segment This Thursday, May 24

On Thursday, May 24, The Emergency Medicine Show on Sirius XM's "Doctor Radio" will feature a segment on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Medical Direction and the new Handbook for EMS Medical Directors. The handbook was developed as a partnership between the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Health Affairs (OHA), and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) EMS Section.

The show is hosted by Billy Goldberg, MD; Chris McStay, MD; and Howard Greller, MD - all affiliated with the NYU Langone Medical Center. Guests will include DHS Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Alexander Garza, MD; Emergency Physician and EMS Medical Director Dr. Edward Dickinson, MD; and USFA Deputy Fire Administrator Glenn Gaines.

Program Information

Date: May 24

Time: 8:00am - 9:00am Eastern

Channel: SiriusXM 81

USFA Releases Annual Report on Firefighter Fatalities in the United States

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Emmitsburg, MD – The United States Fire Administration (USFA) today released the report Firefighter Fatalities in the United States in 2010 (PDF, 2.5 Mb).  The report continues a series of annual studies by the USFA of onduty firefighter fatalities.  The USFA is the single public agency source of information for all onduty firefighter fatalities in the United States each year.

Eighty-seven onduty firefighters from 31 states lost their lives as the result of 83 fatal incidents that occurred in 2010.  This is the second consecutive year of substantially fewer firefighter deaths in the United States.  During the previous six-year period of 2004-2009, the average number of annual onduty firefighter deaths was 112. Illinois experienced the highest number of fatalities with nine firefighters killed; New York and Ohio had the next highest totals with eight firefighter deaths each.

An overview of the 87 firefighters that died while on duty in 2010:

•           The total breakdown included 56 volunteer, 28 career, and 3 wildland agency firefighters.

•           There were 4 firefighter fatality incidents where 2 firefighters were killed in each, claiming a total of 8 firefighters.

•           11 firefighters died in duties associated with wildland fires.  Along with 11 such deaths in 2007, it was the lowest number of annual firefighter deaths associated with wildland fires in a decade.

•           Activities related to emergency incidents resulted in the deaths of 48 firefighters.

•           22 firefighters died while engaging in activities at the scene of a fire.

•           16 firefighters died while responding to or returning from 15 emergency incidents.  9 of the firefighters killed while responding to incidents died from heart attacks (8) or stroke (1).

•           Heart attacks were the most frequent cause of death with 50 firefighter deaths.

•           12 firefighters died while they were engaged in training activities.

•           15 firefighters died after the conclusion of their onduty activity.

The unique and specific objective of Firefighter Fatalities in the United States is to identify all on-duty firefighter fatalities that occurred in the United States and its protectorates during the calendar year and to present in summary narrative form the circumstances surrounding each occurrence.

For 34 years, USFA has tracked the number of firefighter fatalities and conducted an annual analysis.  Through the collection of information on the causes of firefighter deaths, the USFA is able to focus on specific problems and direct efforts toward finding solutions to reduce the number of firefighter fatalities in the future.  This information is also used by many organizations to measure the effectiveness of their current efforts directed toward firefighter health and safety.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation also maintains a list of firefighters who die in the line-of-duty and are honored during the annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend held each October in Emmitsburg, Maryland.  Visit www.FireHero.org for more information about the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and their assistance to the families of the firefighters lost in 2010 and beyond.

For additional information on firefighter fatalities, including the annual fatality reports from 1986-2010, 2011 firefighter fatality notices, and the report Firefighter Fatality Retrospective Study 1990-2000, please visit the USFA's website.

4th of July Weekend: Play It Safe

Injuries from fireworks a major concern for the holiday

(MADISON) – The 4th of July and fireworks just go together.  With the holiday weekend approaching, this is a great time to remember that fireworks can cause serious injuries and death if not property used.

•           In 2009, doctors treated 8,800 fireworks-related injuries in U.S. hospital emergency rooms.

•           39% of those victims were under the age of 15.

•           53% of the injuries were to extremities like hands, arms and legs.

•           84% of the injuries involved fireworks that federal regulations permit people to use.

•           18,000 fires were started by fireworks, resulting in 30 injuries and $38 million in direct property damage.

(Courtesy National Fire Protection Association)

But you can protect yourself and your family by knowing these simple facts and tips:

•           NEVER allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.

•           Young children often suffer injuries from sparklers which burn at about 2,000 degrees, hot enough to melt some metals.

•           Adults igniting the fireworks should always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body over the firework.

•           Only buy fireworks from reliable sellers.

•           Only use fireworks outdoors.

•           Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.

•           Always have water handy (a garden hose or a bucket).

•           Light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from buildings, dry leaves and flammable materials.

•           Light only one firework at a time.

•           Never throw or point fireworks at other people or animals.

•           Keep your pets indoors to reduce the risk that they will run loose and get injured. Many animals have very sensitive ears and can be stressed or frightened due to the lighting of fireworks.

The best advice is to leave the fireworks displays to trained professionals. Then sit back and “ohhh…ahhh” as you enjoy the show!

Bomb Arson Tracking System: Expanding the Fire Department Toolkit

Fairfax, Va., May 13, 2011... The Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS) is an invaluable tool to aid U.S. fire departments and fire marshals in their efforts to track arson incidents, manage investigation data, and apprehend arsonists.  Recently, the IAFC partnered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) U.S. Bomb Data Center (USBDC) to create a new informational video to alert the fire and emergency service to its evolving capabilities and encourage them to participate in the multifaceted system. BATS is provided at no cost to participating agencies.

“Crimes that involve arson and explosives are among the most devastating incidents that confront our country,” said ATF Acting Director Kenneth Melson. “I encourage all fire service executives to incorporate BATS into their investigative policies and practices to help all of us maximize public safety surrounding these crimes.”  

BATS, which has also been endorsed by the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), operates on many levels to support both local investigative needs and national collaboration and trend spotting. System benefits include:

•           Secure, user-friendly, web-based computer application;

•           Ability to track and manage investigations locally while simultaneously contributing  findings to a national level database and national statistical reporting;

•           Self-administered accounts that allow departments and agencies to control how their information is used and shared;

•           Ability to rapidly research, track and compare multiple incidents—locally or across the nation—using real-time data and while maintaining operational security;

•           Enhanced reporting using standardized terminology for consistency across stakeholders;

•           Access to intelligence advisories and comprehensive resource library;

•           Unique data sets associated with the tracing of explosive products from manufacture to the end-user;

•           Ability to upload and store multi-media files relating to investigations;

•           GIS mapping capabilities; and

•           Versatile unit management tools provide a constant snapshot of activity, providing valuable data for administration management of personnel and budgets.

There are currently over 7,000 authorized BATS users from more than 1,500 local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement and public safety agencies across the United States.

“This system has been utilized to assist with several major case investigations which were the result of serial arson fires,” reported Lt. Colonel Scott K. Hoglander of the Prince George's County (MD) Fire/EMS Department, Special Operations Command.  As one of the original pilot departments, Prince George’s County has been using BATS for seven years and praises the ease of the system, the value of the readily available information, and the continued evolution of service offerings.   “The Prince George’s County Office of the Fire Marshall could not function in our current capacity without the BATS system,” said Hoglander.

It is critical for fire department personnel to understand that BATS is not intended to replace the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).  While the primary mission of NFIRS is to collect fire incident information, BATS is dedicated to documenting and supporting the resulting post-incident investigation in cases involving fire or explosives.

“We are happy to lend our support to this effort with the Bomb Arson Tracking System,” said Glenn Gaines, Acting United States Fire Administrator. “The USFA and ATF are partners in promoting Arson Awareness, and BATS is currently included in the curriculum at the National Fire Academy's Fire/Arson Origin-and-Cause Investigations course.  In 2009, ten firefighters died as a result of arson-related fires.  In addition, an estimated $1.1 billion in direct property loss occurs annually. We all must continue every effort to protect our communities and be sure that when it comes to firefighter health and safety, everyone goes home.

To learn more, view the new IAFC-produced video or visit the ATF website where the video will soon be posted under the U.S. Bomb Data Center. 

 

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About the International Association of Fire Chiefs

The IAFC represents the leadership of firefighters and emergency responders worldwide. IAFC members are the world's leading experts in firefighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials spills, natural disasters, search and rescue, and public safety legislation. Since 1873, the IAFC has provided a forum for its members to exchange ideas, develop professionally and uncover the latest products and services available to first responders.

USFA Announces the 2011 Arson Awareness Week Theme

Emmitsburg, MD – The United States Fire Administration (USFA) is pleased to partner with the International Association of Arson Investigators; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; USAonWatch; National Association of State Fire Marshals; National Volunteer Fire Council; and the Insurance Committee for Arson Control to announce the theme for the 2011 Arson Awareness Week: Working Together to Extinguish Serial Arson. USFA and its partners will use the week of May 1st to the 7th to focus public attention on the value of a collaborative effort with law enforcement, fire and emergency service departments, and the community to battle serial arsonists.

The goal for this year’s Arson Awareness Week (AAW) is to focus attention on serial arsonists and provide law enforcement, the fire service, and communities with tools and tactics to prevent arson in their city and towns. “A serial arsonist can paralyze a community with fear,” said Glenn Gaines, Deputy United States Fire Administrator. “Each fire feels like a personal assault. Banding together as partners strengthens our resolve and can bring law enforcement, the fire service, and the public together to more effectively fight the crime of arson.”

Many communities across the country are experiencing a rash of serial arson-related fires. Serial arson is defined as an offense committed by fire setters who set three or more fires with a significant cooling off period between the fires. These types of fires are plaguing many rural and urban communities causing significant loss of life and millions of dollars in property damage, adding to the suffering already caused by the current economic climate.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reports that from 2009 – 2010 there were 88 reported serial arson incidents with an aggregate monetary loss of $4.8 million. Arson in residential dwellings accounted for 49 percent of these incidents. The National Fire Protection Association reports that in 2007, three firefighters died and 6,100 were injured during response to intentionally set fires.

According to the USFA’s National Fire Incident Report­ing System (NFIRS) data, from 2004 to 2006 an estimated 210,300 intentionally set fires occurred each year in the United States. Intentionally set fires account for 13 percent of fires responded to by fire departments across the Nation. These fires resulted in an average of approximately 375 deaths, 1,300 injuries, and $1.06 billion in property loss each year.

For more information regarding the 2011 Arson Awareness Week, go to www.usfa.fema.gov/aaw/.

For more information regarding the Fire/Arson and Explosion Investigation curriculum, or any of the other courses offered at the National Fire Academy, go to www.usfa.fema.gov/nfa/.

Focus on Fire Safety: Smoke Alarms

Every year, approximately 2,600 Americans die in home fires. Over half of these deaths (52%) occur between the hours of 10:00pm and 7:00am, when residents are typically sleeping.

Smoke and toxic gases from a home fire are as deadly as heat and flames. Just two or three breaths of toxic smoke can render you unconscious. In addition, smoke obscures vision, decreasing your ability to escape.

Smoke alarms save lives, prevent injuries, and minimize property damage by detecting fires early and alerting residents, allowing crucial time to escape. The risk of dying from a fire in a home without working smoke alarms is twice as high as in a home with working smoke alarms.