Sept 15 2005.indd - International Association of Fire Chiefs

Fire & emergency service news from the International Association of Fire Chiefs
I A F C
Sept. 15, 2005
Volume 19 Number 15
$3.50 per issue
inside
‘Chiefs on the Exhibit Floor’
Page 3
Postcards from Denver
Page 4-5
New Web site features
Page 6
next issue
Our hearts go out to all those
affected by the massive destruction
of Hurricane Katrina. Watch the
next issue for response from our
members. In the meantime, find
out the latest about recovery and
assistance at www.fema.gov.
from the
president
By Chief Bill
Killen
I am
honored to
share my
vision and
priorities
with you, the
membership
of this great
leadership organization. The 2005
Fire-Rescue International was,
in all ways, the best conference
and exposition that we have
had since I have been a member
of the IAFC. And it was great
to meet and talk with so many
members and attendees, to hear
your opinions and concerns, and
to prepare for the coming year. I
would be remiss if I did not make
special notation of the warm and
welcoming hospitality of Chief
Larry Trujillo of the Denver Fire
Department, the City of Denver
and the surrounding Denver Metro
Area Fire Chiefs. We certainly have
an exciting year ahead of us and it
started in Colorado!
I am prepared to work with each
of you and the overall IAFC team to
continue to implement the IAFC’s
Strategic Plan and to specifically
Fire-Rescue International 2005
Denver hosts conference to remember
Heather Green for IAFC
Workers prepare for thousands of attendees of Fire-Rescue International to flood the massive exhibit hall of the Colorado Convention
Center in Denver. It opened to conference goers on Friday, Aug. 12, following the general session’s keynote address by football hall-offamer
Terry Bradshaw. Check out highlights of FRI throughout this issue and watch the next issue to find out all about our award winners.
See you in Dallas next year!
Firefighternearmiss.com launches nationally
By John B. Tippett Jr.
A ceremonial ribboncutting
marked the
T
he National Fire Fighter Near-
official launch of the
Miss Reporting System marked
Near-Miss Reporting
its official national launch in a
ceremonial ribbon cutting at Fire-
System. Pictured from
left: Danielle Cagan
Rescue International on Friday, Aug.
of Fireman’s Fund
Heritage, Author Dennis
12, 2005.
Smith, Immediate
The system, accessible on the Web at
IAFC Past President
www.firefighternearmiss.com, opens
Chief Bob DiPoli,
this voluntary, confidential reporting
Linda Connell of
system to fire service members in every
NASA/Aviation Safety
department throughout the United
States.
“It really is your system now,” said
Reporting System and
U.S. Fire Administrator
R. David Paulison.
Pleas see ‘It’s about teamwork,’ Page 2
Linda Connell, director of NASA/
Aviation Safety Reporting System.
“Your contributions to it will be what
makes firefighting safer every day.”
The National Fire Fighter Near-
Miss Reporting System is modeled
after the system used for 30 years by
pilots and others involved with the
aviation industry. That system has been
“amazingly effective,” said Connell, who
is a member of the task force that helped
create the system for the fire service.
“We have made changes based on one
report,” she said at the press conference.
“Volume helps us recognize patterns,
but one report is an indication of the
tip of the iceberg.”
To date, more than 300 reports
have already been filed at www.
firefighternearmiss.com, including
those filed during a three-month pilot
test that included 38 fire departments
across the country. Reports are not
posted until all information identifying
a reporter and the reporter’s department
has been removed.
The response from fire chiefs has
Please see ‘Near-Miss,’ Page 2

F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T
It’s all about teamwork
Continued from Page 1
address several goals that complement that plan during the 12 months I have the
privilege of serving as your president
In this column, I will address three of these goals especially important
to take the IAFC—the premier fire service leadership organization—to an
even higher level of professionalism and service. They’re also key in our
continuing focus on making our communities and fire service personnel safer.
The three goals that I will be focusing on are:
❖ Reaching out to establish working relationships and partnerships with
associations and organizations to assist us in promoting fire and life safety as
well as homeland security;
❖ Doing even more to lead the fire service and provide information and
programs that will continue the reduction of firefighter deaths and injuries, so
that EVERYONE GOES HOME
❖ Expanding our excellent work with the Congress to maintain the highest
level of funding and support for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant, the SAFER
Act, the Wildand-Urban Interface grants and other programs vital to funding
and supporting America’s fire service.
Everyone likes to talk about “thinking out of the box,” and that has been a
good guiding philosophy for the fire service. Now it’s time to get out of the box
and establish partnerships with non-fire organizations that can help the IAFC
provide greater fire and EMS protection from threats of fire, natural disasters,
acts of terrorism.
Your IAFC team is at work on this first goal and has already initiated
contact with several organizations to discuss matters of mutual concern. These
organizations include the League of United Latin American Citizens, the
National Urban League, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP),
the National Association of Home Builders, the National Association of Realtors,
the National Parent Teachers Association, the National Education Association
and the National Child Safety Council.
The second goal is to maintain our strong focus on leadership and methodologies
to eliminate and reduce fires and other hazards, thereby reducing the incidents
that lead to firefighter deaths and injuries. Our IAFC team developed and is
aggressively promoting the National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System
and is dedicated to determining how to further reduce firefighter deaths and
injuries through analysis and evaluation of near-miss events.
Our IAFC team’s government relations staff is the lead for our third goal.
They’re continuing to work with Congress to maintain appropriate funding
and support for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant, the SAFER Act, Wildland-
Urban Interface grants and the National Fire Academy as well as other legislative
issues of importance and concern to our membership. You can be sure that I will
be working closely with the Board and our staff to represent the interests of our
members to Congress and the Administration on these issues.
I want to stress why I use the term “team” when laying out goals for the
coming year. I cannot accomplish anything by myself. The management and
leadership of the IAFC is a team function and our mission is a team mission,
not an individual one. Your president cannot accomplish very much without
the support of the membership, the board of directors, the divisions, sections,
committees and the IAFC staff.
At the FRI general session, keynote speaker Terry Bradshaw specifically brought
that idea home. He didn’t win football games or national championships—the
Pittsburgh Steelers won those games as a TEAM. And I will do my best to bring
those same principles to the IAFC.
We have proven that we can meet and exceed our goals and objectives when we
work together, as one. Leading the fire service is our responsibility and I know
that we will do whatever it takes to get the job done
I am honored to have been elected to lead the “IAFC Team” for 2005-06 and,
with your assistance and guidance, WE will continue to succeed as the premier
fire service leadership organization in the world.
IAFC President Bill Killen is Chief of the Fire & Emergency Services
Department at the Holston Army Ammunition Plant (HSAAP/WSI) in
Tennessee.
Near-Miss Reporting System
launches nationally
Continued from Page 1
been “overwhelming,” according to
chairman of the Near-Miss task force,
acclaimed author and former firefighter,
Dennis Smith. “We know chiefs will
embrace this,” he said, noting that the
system’s challenge will be to get all fire
officers and firefighters on board.
“It is the spark and leadership of
fire chiefs to carry this forward and
the participation of firefighters who
understand that near-miss reporting
can save lives that will make a
difference.
“Safety is a science,” Smith said. “If
you have a number that is consistent
year after year as we do, with about
100 firefighter deaths every year, you
know there is something wrong.”
Smith, a former Bronx, N.Y.,
firefighter who wrote “Report from
Ground Zero” and “Report from Engine
Co. 82” was also founder of Firehouse
magazine. As such, he was invited to
give a keynote address at the National
Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s annual
memorial service.
“As editor of a magazine that covers
the fire service, I was aware of the
numbers,” he said. But at the NFFF
ceremony, he handed to families of
fallen firefighters flags that had flown
above the Capitol. He saw their faces
“and suddenly the numbers I watched
year after year became extraordinarily
dramatic to me.”
When IAFC Executive Director
Garry Briese called Smith to see if he
would participate in the formation of
a near-miss system, Smith said he did
not hesitate.
“We resolved to create this system
and we did it,” he said.
Now it is up to the fire service to
put it to use, said several at the press
conference, which was led by then-
IAFC president Chief Bob DiPoli
(Ret.).
U.S. Fire Administrator R. David
Paulison also spoke, noting that as of
noon on the day of the launch “we
already have 69 firefighter fatalities this
year.” But the system is a hopeful one,
he said. “This is not about fatalities.
It’s about preventing fatalities.”
Danielle Cagan, director of
community relations for Fireman’s
Fund Heritage, also spoke at the press
conference. “We can’t think of a better
use of our funds,” she said. “We are
proud to be a part of this.”
The system is funded by grants
from the Department of Homeland
Security’s Assistance to Firefighters
Grant Program and
Fireman’s Fund
Insurance Company
and is supported by
FirefighterCloseCalls.
com in mutual dedication to firefighter
safety and survival.
About the system
The system’s slogan “Prevent an
Injury. Save a Life.” sets the tone for
firefighters of all ranks to contribute
to a “national fire service kitchen
table” where lessons learned in one fire
station can be shared with the whole
fire service community.
Near-miss reporting is designed to
interrupt the error chain that leads
to disasters by elevating a firefighter’s
situational awareness and knowledge
base. The system is confidential, nonpunitive,
secure and voluntary.
Reports may be filed electronically
by visiting www.firefighternearmiss.
com or by completing a paper version
of the report. One of the system’s
hallmarks is that it provides reporters
with a list of similar reports so the
reporter can benefit from the lessons
learned from others.
More than 200 reports were filed
during the pilot test; a number that
exceeded expectations. Visits by
IAFC staff to several of the 38 pilot
departments not only stimulated
additional reports, but also provided
anecdotal success stories about the
system.
Deputy Chief Steve Mormino of
the South Farmingdale Volunteer Fire
Department said, “When I introduced
the program to my department, I was
met with wide-eyed stares, enthusiasm
and attention. I was amazed how the
firefighters were so interested and
how intense the feedback questions
were that came from them. Sure
there was some skepticism,” he said,
“but as the introduction continued,
their skepticism quickly changed to
enthusiasm and a concerted effort to
help reduce firefighter fatalities.”
For more information, visit www.
firefighternearmiss.com. You can
also e-mail nearmiss@iafc.org, or call
703/273-9815 ext. 364.
John B. Tippett Jr. is a project
manager for the IAFC and a
battalion chief with Montgomery
County (MD) Fire and Rescue
Services.
2 IAFC On Scene/Sept. 15, 2005

Special report:
Chiefs on the Exhibit Floor
“What will you take back to your department or community from Fire-Rescue
International 2005?” That was the question On Scene put to several attendees
checking out the sprawling exhibit hall at the Colorado Convention Center in
Denver. Here’s what a few had to say. Look for more comments in upcoming
issues. Interviews by Jule Gardner; photos by Nhu Mai Le.
“
I liked a lot of the workshops, especially the one
that dealt with generational challenges between
the x’s and the y’s. We’re struggling with that in
our department, with everyone having different
values and different ideas of the fire service.
”
RAJ GUPTA
—Pat Berkel, Division Chief, Training
Glendale (AZ) Fire Department
PAT BERKEL
“
I thought the workshop on risk management
was good and it’s so important right now. With
volunteers, they’re leaving wherever they are and
going to fight the fire. And the fire is the same fire,
whether you’re career or volunteer. You can do your
own local training, but the perspective you get here
has been really helpful.
”
“
I always come for the (exhibit) show. I like to
capitalize on the technology the private sector
has to offer. I also enjoyed the Afterburners’
presentation. To be honest, I’d like to see more
workshops address operational issues. That’s my
background.
”
—Jeffrey N. Bullock, Fire Chief
Largo (FL) Fire Rescue
—Raj Gupta, Chief
Middlebush Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
IAFC approved to join
Combined Federal Campaign
By Judy Kirk
The International Association of Fire
Chiefs is proud to announce it has
been approved as a participant in the
Combined Federal Campaign, the onthe-job
fund-raising drive for federal
and postal employees and the military.
The campaign takes place every fall.
This year it is from Sept. 1 through Dec.
15. Employees receive a pledge card and
“catalog” that lists all eligible charities.
They can give by having a small
donation deducted from each paycheck,
or by making an immediate gift of cash
or check.
“I’m delighted that the IAFC has
been approved,” said Chief Bill Killen,
IAFC president. “CFC is like a stamp
of approval for nonprofits. I know
the program well and I think it’s an
excellent opportunity for our members,
especially those in the federal sector.”
Killen worked for several years as the
CFC coordinator for the U.S. Naval
Facility Emergency Command. In
order to get approval, the IAFC had to
submit an application, documenting
10 accountability standards, including
low operating overhead cost and an
active and responsible governing body.
If you are a federal employee or work
for the post office or military, please
support the IAFC and encourage
your co-workers to do so. Our CFC
number is 1044. The CFC is very
efficient, spending less than 9 percent
on expenses, such as printing materials,
training volunteers and auditing
contributions. Thus, nearly all your
gift will go directly to support IAFC
programs.
Your support of IAFC directly helps
fire departments better protect our
communities and respond to fires,
terrorist attacks, hazardous material
spills, natural disasters and rescue
missions. The IAFC is connected
to every fire department in every
community.
Since 1873, we have been dedicated
to supporting our nation’s first
responders. So if you are a federal
employee or work for the post office or
military, please support the IAFC.
Judy Kirk is a development
specialist with the IAFC.
Rally Tally winners announced
JEFFREY N. BULLOCK
FRANCES SMART
“
We’re going to tell everyone that we’ll see them
next year in Dallas. Really, the conference has
covered all of our needs. We were here to look at
CAF (Compressed Air Foam) units and lightweight
pants and jackets and we’ve had really good
information. The department will probably end up
purchasing from one of the vendors.
”
—Frances Smart, partner of Assistant Fire Chief Jim Smart
Tia Juana (CA) Fire Department
“
The seminars have been nothing but fantastic
and I’m completely happy with the conference.
I’ve been a member since 1972 and haven’t missed
many of these. It’s the best show for your bucks
and this year, this has been a fantastic city to go to.
I’ve heard nothing but good things.
”
—Barry Sens, Fire Commissioner
Pittsford (NY) Fire District
BARRY SENS
Linda S. Reineke/Riverview Photography
Congratulations to all of our Chiefs’ Rally
winners. Pictured (left to right): Donald
R. Oliver, Keith E. Hoyle (also pictured at
right with the grand prize, a 2005 Harley-
Davidson® Firefighter Special Edition
FLHTCUI Electric Glide® Ultra Classic®
Motorcycle), IAFC Immediate Past President
Robert A. DiPoli and Elizabeth “Bett” J.
Clark. The winners’ names, announced at
Fire-Rescue International in Denver, were entered into the drawing once for every new
member they recruited from July 1, 2004, to June 30, 2005. Hoyle received the grand
prize. Oliver was awarded a deluxe Mardi Gras package for four at the Hilton New
Orleans Riverside and Clark received a one-week vacation package for six people on
Lake Winnipesauke, New Hampshire.
IAFC On Scene/Sept. 15, 2005
3

Postcards from
Photos by Linda S. Reineke/Riverview Photography unless otherwise indicated
Heather Green for IAFC
4 IAFC On Scene/Sept. 15, 2005

Denver: FRI 2005
Heather Green for IAFC
IAFC On Scene/Sept. 15, 2005
5

IAFC announces new Web site features
The IAFC plans to unveil
improvements to its Web site at
www.iafc.org.
New benefits will include discussion
forums, an online member directory
and an enhanced job board. In
addition, members can now renew
their memberships online and new
members can join online.
Discussion Forums
You asked for it and we responded.
Our new forums will allow members
to share information and ideas about
various topics with other leaders in the
fire service. From securing grants to
recruiting tips, members can post and
reply to discussions and find answers
to the issues facing their departments.
Look for this new member benefit by
clicking the Members Only link on
the right-side navigation bar.
Member Directory
Our new site will offer a built-in search
feature where members can locate each
other by name, geographic location,
department type or population size.
Looking for advice from a fellow
volunteer chief of a small department
in the Midwest? Type in those search
criteria and a list of members will
Check out improvements
to our Web site and
connect with chiefs
around the world. New
discussion forums,
directory searches and an
enhanced job board will be
at the fingertips of members
at www.iafc.org.
display. Look for this new member
benefit by clicking the Members Only
link on the right-side navigation bar.
Enhanced Job Board
Members will be able to post their
résumé and profile online into a
database that is fully searchable by
recruiters. Look for this new member
benefit by clicking the Job Board link
on the left-side navigation bar.
While the look of the site will
not change significantly, additional
improvements are being made to its
navigation, making it more user-friendly.
We are confident our members will find
the added features extremely beneficial.
As always, you can continue to turn
to the IAFC Web site for breaking
news, government relations issues,
publications and other resources on
the most pressing issues facing the
fire service. You can help the IAFC
continue to improve the quality and
content of the Web site by sending your
comments, concerns and questions to
webmaster@iafc.org.
Important Change
Log in to the members-only section
by clicking on the Members Only link
located on the right side menu bars.
Then enter your member number and
password. If you have difficulty signing
in, call IAFC member services toll-free
at 866/385-0911.
What does your
card get you?
Exclusive member benefits
❖ Recognition. Displaying the IAFC
logo on your vehicle or wearing your
pin lets others know you are a leader
in the fire service. If you need either
replaced contact Member Services at
membership@iafc.org.
❖ Information. We provide you
with up to the minute information
through Member Alerts and members
only access to our Web site. This
information requires that we have your
current e-mail address. If your e-mail
has changed please be sure to notify
Member Services at 866/385-9110.
❖ Visit firefighternearmiss.com
to submit an incident or search
the reporting system to share with
members of your department. Turn
near-miss experiences into lessons
learned for everyone in the fire service
community. ✠
6 IAFC On Scene/Sept. 15, 2005

C L A S S I F I E D S
FIRE CHIEF
The Borough of Carlisle, Pennsylvania (population 18,000) seeks a proven
fire service professional to lead and oversee the operations of the borough’s
Fire Department. Carlisle is a historic community located in south central
Pennsylvania. The Borough has a rich heritage of professional local government
and was recognized in 2004 as “Community of the Year” by the Pennsylvania
Chamber of Commerce.
This position involves managerial and administrative work in the direction of
all regular and volunteer fire function duties within Carlisle Borough. Applicants
should possess a comprehensive knowledge of modern firefighting and fire
prevention methods, thorough knowledge of the International Building Code
and fire prevention regulations, the ability to coordinate mandated fire training
programs for volunteers and professional staff, thorough knowledge of fire safety
regulations, demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and direct firefighting
and fire prevention activities, the ability to maintain discipline and promote
morale, skill to develop annual budgets for the department, the ability to develop
cooperative relations with the public and successfully work with and serve a
diverse local community and ability to use sound judgment in emergencies.
This position reports to the Borough Manager on a day-to-day basis. The
Borough’s fire functions are performed by four fire companies primarily
comprised of volunteers, although each station has paid personnel to supplement
the volunteers.
Applicants should possess a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Public
Administration or a related field. Preference will be given for a four-year degree
from the National Fire Academy or Executive Fire Officer Program. Five years
progressive experience with a fire department with at least two years as either
the assistant/deputy or chief position required. Salary level $52,000-$81,000.
Resumes with letters of interest must be received no later September 30, 2005
to: Carlisle Borough, Attn: Personnel Director, 53 West South Street, Carlisle,
Pennsylvania 17013. Faxes and emails will not be accepted. EOE. For additional
community information visit our Web site: www.carlislepa.org.
DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF
City of Redmond, WA
Salary - $7,296-$8,732 per month
The City of Redmond, the vibrant high
tech capital of the scenic Pacific Northwest,
is seeking a creative, forward-thinking
chief officer to join a departmentwide
effort to create a new vision
for Redmond’s Fire Department.
Responsibilities include fire
prevention, emergency management,
public education, fleet and building
maintenance, capital improvements,
budgeting and labor/management
relations. The successful candidate
will be a proven leader and consensusbuilder
comfortable working locally
and regionally; effective at initiating
and managing change at all levels of
the organization; a strong oral and
written communicator who listens
well and values diverse perspectives;
a successful manager with strong
organizational and analytical
skills; and a committed fire service
professional with a proven record of
success and service to the community.
For application information, access
www.redmond.gov or call 425/556-
2121. Position closes at 5 p.m. on Sept.
23, 2005.
DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE
AND HOMELAND SECURITY
Massachusetts’ Department of Fire
Services, located in Stow, seeks
applicants for a new position, Director
of Emergency Response and Homeland
Security. The Director reports to the
Deputy Fire Marshal and is responsible
for leading all emergency response and
homeland security planning, initiatives
and operations, including managing
the Division of Hazardous Materials
Response, Special Operations and
Emergency Planning/Exercises and
coordinating the Commonwealth’s
NIMS training/response. Ten years
of emergency response experience
preferred. Salary Range: $48,478.04-
$99,250.54. Application Deadline:
September 30, 2005. Send resume,
application and cover letter to:
DFS/HR
P.O. Box 1025
State Road, Stow, MA 01775.
For additional information see http://
www.mass.gov/dfs/admin/jobs/index.
htm.
I A F C
Volume 19, Number 15
IAFC On Scene is read by 12,400 highly qualified fire chiefs and company officers with a
pass-on rate of six to eight additional readers for every subscriber. To advertise, please
call (703) 273-9815 ext. 307 or e-mail Editor Jule Gardner at jgardner@iafc.org.
IAFC Executive Director
Garry L. Briese, CAE
Communications Director
Jennifer A. Ashley, CAE
Editor/Communications Manager
Jule Gardner
IAFC Board of Directors
Bill Killen, President
Jackie Gibbs, Fire & Life Safety Section
James Harmes, First Vice President Luther L. Fincher Jr., Metro Chiefs Section
Steven P. Westermann, Second Vice President
Bob DiPoli, Immediate Past President
Julian Taliaferro, Treasurer
Larry J. Grorud, Great Lakes Division
Don Warden, Canadian Division
William Walton Jr., Eastern Division
Ken Riddle, EMS Section
Richard Carrizzo, Missouri Valley Division
Roger Bradley, New England Division
Jack K. McElfish, Southeastern Division
Jerry S. Bower, Southwestern Division
Fred Windisch, VCOS
Timothy Riley, Western Division
Roger Bradley, Director-at-Large
IAFC On Scene (ISSN 0893-3936) is an official publication of the International Association
of Fire Chiefs. Our goal for this newsletter is to provide fire and emergency services managers with
information to help them make timely and appropriate decisions. The opinions expressed in the newsletter
are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the association.
The International Association of Fire Chiefs, organized in 1873, is dedicated to the advancement of the
fire service. Its mission statement: Provide leadership to career and volunteer chiefs, chief fire officers and
managers of emergency service organizations throughout the international community through vision,
information, education, services and representation to enhance their professionalism and capabilities.
Questions about material in this issue should be directed to the editor at: 703/273-9815 ext. 307. The
IAFC main number is 703/273-0911; fax 703/273-9363.Unless otherwise noted, all material in
IAFC On Scene is copyright 2005 by the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
A N N O U N C E M E N T S
New Skills and Drills DVD series available
The IAFC, NFPA and Jones and Bartlett
publishers have released a new DVD series,
“Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills: Skills
and Drills.” This action packed eightvolume
DVD series provides detailed, stepby-step
instruction on the most critical and
fundamental firefighter skills. The DVD
series captures real-life scenes to teach
firefighting students and firefighters how to
perform each skill correctly and offers helpful
information, tips and pointers designed
to facilitate progression through practical
examinations of real-life emergencies.
Preview clips from the DVD series online at http://fire.jbpub.com. IAFC
members receive a discounted rate for the “Skills and Drills” DVD series; contact
Jones and Bartlett Publishers to order: call 800/832-0034; fax 978/443-8000;
e-mail info@jbpub.com; or visit http://firefighter.jbpub.com.
Online registration open for VCOS symposium
Register now for Symposium in the Sun 2005, the only national symposium for
leaders of volunteer and combination fire departments.
The seventh annual conference of IAFC’s Volunteer & Combination Officers
Section will be at the Sheraton Sand Key in Clearwater Beach, FL, will be held
Nov. 10-13. You can register online at www.iafc.org/vcos/index.asp or call
703/273-0911 for more information.
IAFC On Scene/Sept. 15, 2005
7

Warren E. Isman grant winners recommend hazmat conference
By Sacha Dick
The City of Cleveland Division
of Fire Hazardous Materials
Team, recipients of the Warren E.
Isman Educational Grant, used the
grant to send three of its members
to the International Association of
Fire Chiefs’ (IAFC) International
Hazardous Materials Response Teams
Conference.
The annual conference was held
June 2-4 in Hunt Valley, MD.
The Cleveland team was chosen
among nine applicants to receive the
$5,000 grant, awarded by the National
Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to
a fire, police or other publicly funded
hazmat team seeking specialized
training.
The team must demonstrate excellent
leadership and communications skills
and be trained in compliance with
NFPA 472, Standard for Professional
Competence of Responders to
Hazardous Materials Incidents, and
NFPA 473, Standard for Professional
Competence of EMS Personnel
Responding to Hazardous Materials
Incidents.
The Cleveland team applied for
the first time after learning about
the existence of the grant from other
members of their department who are
Plans for the 2006 International Hazardous Materials Response
Teams conference are already underway. It will be held
June 1-4, 2006, at the Baltimore Marriott Hunt Valley Inn in Hunt
Valley, MD. Please check www.iafc.org for more information.
also members of the IAFC.
The three who attended the
conference were: Capt. George Erker,
Lt. Greg Lightcap and First Grade
Firefighter John Zupanc. All three
later said they were impressed with the
conference’s exhibits and sessions, as
well as the extensive knowledge of and
open dialogue with innovators in the
hazardous materials field.
The team has realized immediate
benefits from attending the conference,
including great ideas for training
younger and inexperienced hazmat
members in research materials and
rapid risk assessment as well as
increased knowledge in general. They
also said they’ve been able to update
Emergency Action Plans in need of
review based on what they learned at
the conference.
The three attendees took their
knowledge home and presented it to
more than 30 others on their hazmat
team and in their immediate fire station,
Station 13. The information will also be
disseminated department-wide.
The team feels the long-term
benefits from the educational
opportunities and response techniques
and procedures will be a benefit not
only to the department, but also to the
community, and conference attendees
encourage other departments to look
at the Warren E. Isman grant as an
opportunity.
“The world is a safer place for having
afforded us the opportunity to share in
this experience,” Capt. Erker said.
The City of Cleveland Division of
Fire has approximately 950 members.
The hazardous materials team is a joint
Hazardous Materials Specialist and
Hazardous Materials Fire Prevention
Unit. IAFC Member Chief Paul
Stubbs is the chief.
The grant was initiated by the IAFC
following the death of Chief Warren
E. Isman in 1991. Chief Isman was
the former chief of Fairfax County,
VA, past president of the IAFC,
senior instructor for the University
of Maryland Fire Services Extension
Program, authored three fire-related
textbooks and served as chair of the
IAFC Hazardous Materials Committee
and the NFPA Technical Committee
on Hazardous Materials.
Sacha Dick is a director of
programs for the IAFC.
I A F C
International Association of Fire Chiefs
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