Everyone Goes Home - Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives Program

By Susan Nicol

Advocates from across the country are passionate about spreading the word about firefighter safety.

About 150 people from both small and large departments spent the weekend on the campus of the National Fire Academy sharing ideas on how to get firefighters to not only accept but embrace safer habits.

They understand it's a daunting task, but they are adamant about sharing messages that will ultimately save their colleagues' lives.

Changing the culture of the fire service won't happen overnight.

"It will take a long time. It will be a slo-o-o-w process," said Shadd Whitehead, Volume 4 Resource Kit Manager and Fire Chief of Livonia, MI.

In addition to being fit to do the job, people need to be held accountable for their actions. Officers need to do their jobs as supervisors to ensure that everyone goes home after their shift, he said.

Whitehead said it will take ingenuity to get crews to buy into a new way of doing things. "It will take marketing and good salesmanship, but this has to happen..."

Self-discipline and adopting a healthy lifestyle are essential.

Personnel are encouraged to practice or train every day so they make the right decisions when the time comes.

Rich Marinucci, Everyone Goes Home® Program Director, recalled the recent incident in which the pilot landed a plane in the Hudson River.

He said it was good that Sully was prepared, and knew the controls in the cockpit. "He made some tough decisions that day..."

Marinucci said firefighters should take a lesson from the pilot - be prepared for the unthinkable. They need to be at the top of their game at all times

Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran said firefighters' attitudes have to change or injuries and deaths will continue. "We didn't come to work to die," he told the audience.

Until firefighters realize that there's no glory or honor dying on duty, things will remain status quo, he said.

Bob Colameta, Courage to Be Safe(SM) Program Manager, said advocates have a number of tools at the ready including power points and video clips. "There are a lot of tools in the toolbox..."

"We're always modifying the program," he said, adding that he is attempting to collect information about just how many people have taken the course.

To keep trainers connected, he's created a monthly newsletter. "The advocates are doing a great job. Word is definitely getting out, and more people are getting interested..."

Jim Roman, Sr., an advocate from Tennessee, said he's enjoyed teaching the classes. "We need to have the chiefs on board. We're not coming in to change their policies. We're there to promote safety, and provide insight on how they may want to adapt their policies."

Roman said his goal is to get the message to everyone he can - career and volunteer.

He said he and other advocates have encouraged firefighters to chose or embrace one or two of the 16 initiatives, ones that are achievable.

Marty DeLoach, Chief of Brighton Area Fire Department in Michigan, said he would like to see the lessons incorporated in state training academy programs.

He also said it was imperative that officers understand the importance of changing the culture. Until that happens, he said advocates have a tough sell.