Andy Marsh
Mt. Oliver Fire Department
As I read an email from one of my colleagues the other day, I thought back to when I first came into the fire service. I recalled the equipment and practices I was introduced to and how the fire service has changed since then.
I had the pleasure of meeting with Chief Hayes at last year's Safety Summit for the Everyone Goes Home® Program and the Courage to Be Safe® training. His message was simple: thanks for participating in such a great program that has, in fact, helped decrease the firefighter line-of-duty deaths nationwide.
Last year, I believe, the firefighter line-of-duty deaths were 85 and the year before that, it fell under 100. For myself, as an advocate, , I am proud to have taken a part, supported and delivered these programs because of what they stand for.
If you will, please go back in time with me and recall where we came from, at least 30 years ago (and for some of you, even more). Do you remember when the breathing apparatus sat on your chest and you breathed your own recycled air? Do you remember when taking in some smoke initiated you and made you a "man"? Do you remember the steel cylinders we wore on our backs? Do you remember when you rode the back of the apparatus? (Some still do that.) Do you remember when seatbelt usage really wasn't an issue? Do you remember coming out of a structure fire and lighting a cigarette up or even smoking in the rig? Do you remember when we had plastic helmets, fireball gloves, rubber gear and the "snoopy" headgear to protect us? Do you remember when we didn't have to take an EMT or First Responder class? Do you remember when we didn't have to respond to medical calls? Do you remember not having to take an OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens class? Do you remember when we didn't use positive pressure ventilation? Do you remember when we didn't have professional certifications in firefighting? Do you remember open cab fire engines and ladder trucks? Do you remember when we didn't have automatic transmissions on our rigs? Do you remember when all you did at drill was squirt some water? Do you remember when training really didn't take precedence? Do you remember when we didn't have an accountability or a safety officer in place at all structure fires or otherwise large scale incidents? Do you remember not having a thermal imaging camera?
Oh boy! I know I could go on and on about things, issues or whatever that once was years ago and I know you could as well.
I remember Chief Kelvin Cochran's presentation on wood and the fire service and how inspiring that was. I remember when Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner, Ed Mann, stated that he wants to envision a time when we have zero line-of-duty deaths. I will remember the line-of-duty funerals I have attended and I will remember to always pray for my fallen brothers and sisters in the emergency services.
Most everything I mentioned here has changed over the years. It has changed mostly because of safety concerns, line-of-duty deaths and injuries.
Changing the culture of the fire service has been the motto of what we are doing with the Everyone Goes Home® program and the Courage to Be Safe® training. We are in the business of saving lives. We need to place that task and onus on us and start with our own. Take the time to remember when, but remember the families and continue to work towards reducing our injuries and line-of-duty deaths.
I shall bring this to a close by the following quote, "Coming together is a beginning. Staying together is progress. Working together is success!" As the Nation's fire service, we have been doing this and we are doing this!
Let's all remember to take care of ourselves and remember the 16 Life Safety Initiatives so that everyone indeed goes home!