Safety must be a primary consideration in the design of apparatus and equipment.
Today’s fire service leaders whether they are fire chiefs, other chief fire officers, equipment committees, or equipment manufacturers have a vested interest and a legal responsibility to provide for the safety of firefighters. Yet, each day these groups struggle with the issue of preventable firefighter injuries and deaths, and the need to incorporate safety as a primary consideration in the design of fire service apparatus and equipment.
New technologies and innovations are available that can significantly reduce the potential for injury and deaths related to fire service apparatus and equipment failures or shortcomings. It is important to understand, and explore the technologies and innovations available today. We must also consider the best practices that can be implemented to improve fire fighter safety, thereby reducing the potential for injury and death.
The 16th Initiative ratifies the belief that no firefighter should die in the line-of-duty due to apparatus or equipment-related issues.
Initiative 16 Resources
Initiative 16 Research
Latest Initiative 16 News
- Pledging to Buckle-Up is Just a Click Away – The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) has redesigned the International Seatbelt Pledge site to encourage more firefighters to buckle-up every time they get in department apparatus or their own vehicle. With a few quick “clicks” on your laptop or mobile device, it’s now easier than ever to take the pledge and make that live-saving “click” before wheels roll. For more information and to take the International Seatbelt Pledge, go to www.seatbeltpledge.com.
- Two Organizations Selected Co-Recipients of the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award – The Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative and the Denver Fire Department will receive the award at the 31st Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner on April 25, 2019, in Washington, DC.
- Are you part of a High School Fire or EMS Cadet program? – The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is planning the 2019 High School Fire and EMS Cadet Program Symposium and have developed a survey to identify specific areas of interest.
» Take the Survey - CFSI and NFFF Accepting Nominations for the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award – Co-sponsored by CFSI and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award was established in 2009 to recognize public safety organizations for outstanding contributions to the advancement of firefighter health and safety. Deadline for nominations is Dec. 6, 2018.
- Wildland Firefighters Want to be Sure Everyone Goes Home® – Wildland firefighters from around the country say the status quo about safety must change. Too many wildland firefighters are dying and getting hurt. This is the key message from a series of listening sessions the NFFF held across the country.
Learn More:
» A Conversation with Vicki Minor & Ron Siarnicki
» 16 Initiatives for the Wildland Firefighter
» Everyone Goes Home® in the Wildland - Make Health, Safety and Wellness Your Department’s Priority – The September issue of Firehouse Magazine features the 2018 Fire Service Health and Safety Report. This 32-page supplement emphasizes the value of a progressive, safety-focused fire service culture, and provides information and resources to help firefighters implement the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives.
- FDSOA’s New Aerial Maintenance Program – The Fire Department Safety Officer Association announced a new hands-on Aerial Maintenance program will be part of the 2019 Apparatus Maintenance & Specification Symposium. Aerial Maintenance: What you need to know program, with Instructor Mike Adams, Fleet Supervisor, South Metro Fire Rescue Authority (SMFRA), Colorado, on Wednesday, January 23rd in Orlando, Florida.
- Take the International First Responder Seatbelt Pledge – If your department has not taken the International First Responder Seatbelt Pledge, please take a moment learn more about the program and sign the pledge online today!
- NFFF congratulates Jack Sullivan on receiving the FDSOA Lifetime Achievement Award – Richard Maddox, chairman of the FDSOA board of directors, announced John (Jack) Sullivan, director of training, Emergency Responder Safety Institute, the 2018 winner of the annual Dave Dodson Lifetime Service Award.
- Strategic Vision Helps Ensure Firefighter Safety and Enhance Service – To help fire departments around the nation adopt the 16 initiatives, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has created a new handbook, The Strategic Vision Guide: An Action Plan Using the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives.
