The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) led the nation in the fire and emergency services' first Safety Stand Down in 2005. This event added to the momentum of meeting the USFA goal of reducing line-of-duty deaths. This goal was spawned by the National Fallen Firefighters Firefighter Life Safety Summit conducted in Tampa in 2004. The Stand Down program is supported by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, the Foundation's Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives Program and other major fire service organizations. In the last three years the Safety Stand Down has grown into a successful safety awareness and training initiative.

In 2008, the Safety Stand Down will become known as the Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week, to be held June 22-28, 2008. This week will be devoted to reviewing safety policies, evaluating the progress of existing initiatives and discussing health and fitness. In addition to promoting awareness and implementation of the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives the program's State and Regional Advocates will be encouraging Fire/EMS departments in their states to make a concerted effort during the week to correct safety deficiencies, provide training and providing best practices and training materials.