2008 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week:
Committed to Long-Term Results
June 22-28, 2008

IAFC’s Volunteer & Combination Officers Section Safety Week podcast: VCOS Radio: Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week Safety Week partner NFPA will release a podcast each weekday during the observance to highlight an issue related to health and safety of fire service members. The following podcasts will be available at www.nfpa.org/FSTpodcasts: Monday, June 23: Medical issues for firefighters Tuesday, June 24: Apparatus Safety and changes to NFPA 1901 Wednesday, June 25: Wildland Firefighter Safety Thursday, June 26: Fireside Chat with Alan Brunacini Friday, June 27: Live Fire Training and the 2007 Edition of NFPA 1403 National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System Safety Week podcast: Near-Miss Listen and Learn

Committed to Long-Term Results encourages long-term investments by chiefs and firefighters to enhance their health and safety. The ultimate goal is to institute a strong culture of health and safety within the fire/EMS service.

This year’s theme reflects the need for organizational action that supports and encourages a safety culture. Recommended activities and materials will incorporate three key areas where standard operating procedures, policies and initiatives—along with the training and enforcement that support them—can limit fire/EMS personnel’s risk of injury or death:

• Fully implement NFPA 1500, especially sections addressing PPE:
  • Provide compliant PPE.
  • Train and enforce use of PPE, including respiratory protection.
• Fully implement the Wellness-Fitness Initiative:
  • Provide annual medical and physical evaluations.
  • Provide equipment and time for exercise.
  • Provide nutrition information.
• Initiate an emergency vehicle policy, to include:
  • Always buckle up.
  • Always stop at red lights and stop signs.
  • Always drive at speed limits and defensively.

Focusing on these 2008 key safety areas from Sunday to Saturday provides maximum flexibility, allowing for all duty shifts—both career and volunteer—to participate in your department’s selected exercises at some point during Safety Week.

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Sponsored by IAFC, IAFF and IAFC's Safety, Health and Survival Section