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Safety Stand Down Training Program

The International Association of Fire Chiefs and the International Association of Firefighters sponsor 2010 Fire/EMS Safety, Health & Survival week (Safety Week). The theme this year is "Fit for Duty" and covers a variety of extremely important topics relative to health and fitness. During Safety Stand Down departments are also encouraged to support educational programs that build and maintain medically and physically fit personnel to reduce health and fitness-related deaths or injuries, which is what this program will do - providing you use it! If your department is not able to train during Safety Stand Down - then pick another day or another week. What matters is that you train to prevent death and injury.

This day long program, offered by the CPTC, aims to focus strictly on reducing heart related deaths, injuries and illnesses specifically related to hydrogen cyanide exposure in Fire SMOKE. Understanding air is your only defense to HCN exposure should be the only incentive required for you and/or your department to embrace air management protocols.

“Firefighting is inherently dangerous. With today’s advancements in technology, training, and the proper use of PPE, we can avoid unnecessary risks. Although acute smoke exposures are important to recognize, chronic exposures are often overlooked and preventable. I encourage all firefighters to use this training program. If you can’t do it during Safety Stand Down, then schedule it as soon as you can.”

Kevin Reilly, Ridgewood NJFD and CPTC President

“Smoke is something that reaches out and touches a firefighter on a regular basis … for an entire career. It’s critical that all firefighters understand how to protect themselves from acute and chronic smoke exposures, to understand the importance of maintaining their personal protective equipment and to know the hazards of fire smoke. It is my hope that during Safety Stand Down all firefighters will take just a moment to think about why it is so important to wear their air.”

Asst. Chief Rob Schnepp, Alameda County CA Fire Department.

“The modern smoke environment at EVERY fire is a toxic, asphyxiating and carcinogenic cesspool that threatens both the immediate and long-term survival of firefighters. There is no disputing that the casual approach to breathing smoke, which has long been an accepted risk of our profession, has wreaked havoc on the lives of too many brothers and sisters to be ignored any longer. Does it really take the muffled cries of a choke-filled MAYDAY to get the leaders within departments to make the changes they know are needed? Or the far too numerous instances of bagpipes playing in homage to another line of duty death from running out of air or dying a long and horrible death in some cancer ward? Every company and chief officer in the country should make it clear to their members that if they are going to put themselves and their team at risk by taking a complacent approach to managing their air, THEY WILL NOT BE ON THE FIREGROUND. The message should be clear and uncompromising for fire service leaders who truly care about their firefighters and the families who depend on them: Don’t Breathe Smoke!”

Capt. Mike Gagliano, Seattle Fire Department, www.ManageYourAir.com

“When firefighters are wearing SCBA and not utilizing it, the only thing they are doing is hurting their backs. The only way to avoid or prepare for a Mayday is to train and practice under artificial stress and if a mistake is made, recognize it, learn from it and share it. Use this training program in your department and share it with others.”

Lt. Frank Ricci

This program was developed by the CPTC Board of Directors, which includes Kevin Reilly, Rob Schnepp, Bruce Evans, Frank Ricci, Bobby Halton, Mike Gagliano (The Seattle Guys), Cameron Bucek, Jason Krusen, Shelby WIllis, Brian Kazmierzak and Patrick Bourke, in conjunction with Mike McEvoy, Fire Engineering. Should you have questions during this training program, whether held during Safety Stand Down or at another time, our Board and experts are available to assist you. Send us an email or give us a call. Answers and/or resources will be sent to you immediately.

Don't just wear your air - USE IT!

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