Deputy Director of Fire Service Richard Marinucci
Northville Township Fire Department
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. If you look at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) numbers you will note a significant drop. This is important to note because the NFPA has maintained its criteria for an LODD which makes comparisons from year to year more consistent. This is not noted to create any controversy with other agencies that track LODDs, but more to evaluate the trends.
The annual drop in LODDs are the result of many and through the efforts of many organizations and individuals. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) has certainly expended resources in an effort to significantly reduce the number of preventable LODDs. Others such as the IAFC (and its Safety and Survival Section and Near Miss Reporting system), IAFF, NVFC, USFA, the Secret List (thank you Chief Billy Goldfeder) and CVVFA to name a few have been aggressive in their efforts to improve firefighter safety. Within the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and its Everyone Goes Home® program there have been many individuals that have made contributions that have had a positive impact on firefighter safety. Through the continued support of Executive Director Ron Siarnicki and the funding provided by a FIRE Act grant, work on addressing many of the 16 Life Safety Initiatives has continued.
Reports on our various programs from the past year have been submitted and will be shared with all on our website. You will see a summary of the things that are being done to continue to promote firefighter safety. While there are many people that deserve recognition, there are too many to name here. I do wish to thank Ron Siarnicki, Billy Hayes and all the Advocates, Ron Dennis, JoEllen Kelly, George Haddow, Jane Bullock, Bob Colameta, Steve Kimple, and the newest addition to the Foundation, Victor Stagnaro, not only for their fine work but their support of everything we are trying to do.
Clearly the work is not done. There are still too many preventable deaths. The work cannot stop and must intensify. There has been some success at addressing some of the issues but more effort will be needed to get to the more challenging causes of LODDs. It is about changing a culture that has been around for centuries without affecting the noblest reason for being a firefighter - that being to help your neighbor. Firefighters must become as proficient and competent as they can be, starting with their first day on the job until they retire. And they can never become complacent - no one knows when the next unfortunate event might happen. LODDs are not planned incidents and are not expected. Prepare and act as if your life, and those in your crew, depends upon you being good at your job because it may.
Personally, I thank everyone who has committed effort to the Everyone Goes Home® program. I am encouraged that progress is being made and understand that this is no time to let up. I look forward to Year 6 and the changes that are being made to do our work even better. My best to all and please remember your basics and safety lessons so EVERYONE GOES HOME!!!