Year 5 of the Everyone Goes Home® program has ended. While there is no time to rest to continue the fine work of many, it is appropriate to look back on the previous year and acknowledge the successes that have occurred. Statistically, there was a reduction in line-of-duty deaths (LODDs) comparing 2009 with 2008.

I read the report entitled, "Families of 'Charleston 9' Reach Partial Settlement," posted on Firehouse.com and the memory of that tragedy got my blood boiling again. What a shame! Nine firefighters died in that disaster and now three years later in these tough economic times, their families are settling for mere "chump change" - less than one million dollars a piece!

The purpose of this study is to capture an academically based, empirically grounded product that develops the picture of seat belt use among Oklahoma firefighters. Many national statistics will be utilized to show a need for this study and explain the findings. The United States Fire Administration has tracked firefighter fatalities in the United States since 1977. The leading cause of firefighter fatalities involves heart related injuries caused by stress and/or overexertion. While cardiac studies are incredibly important, I feel the second leading cause is often overlooked.