FHExpo: Sendelbach Asks 'Are You All In?'

Baltimore, Md., July 16—During this morning’s opening ceremonies at Firehouse Expo in Baltimore, Firehouse Editor-in-Chief challenged the audience with a simple question: “Are you all in?” Specifically, Sendelbach was referring to firefighters’ commitment to the fire service across a range of topics, from health and fitness to reducing exposure risk to fireground contaminants.

Sendelbach first heard the concept of “all in” while attending an NFFF fundraiser where the featured keynote speaker was Sean Miller, the head basketball coach for the University of Arizona Wildcats. “All In” is Miller’s philosophy for team success. While his recruits have achieved incredible success during their high school careers, as a new member of a college team—and a very successful team at that—they must learn the importance of personal sacrifice. At Arizona, the players need to think of themselves as 1/12 of a team. In other words, to be a successful team, the individual members must sacrifice their own glory for the good of the team—and constantly work to improve the team as a whole.

Sendelbach asked that firefighter consider how the concept of being “all in” applies to the fire service, and how they make sacrifices every day as a part of their job—sacrifices for their customers and community and for the department and company.

Photos: Firehouse Expo Day 3

One of the ways firefighters can best serve their communities is by maintaining their health. “Are you fit to perform the tasks they are expected to perform?” Sendelbach asked. He explained that approximately 50 percent of firefighter line-of-duty deaths (LODDs) are related to health issues and, as such, some people think health is the key to mitigating the high number of deaths. While acknowledging that health is a critical component to improving the American fire service, Sendelbach urged that there is much more firefighters can do to be “all in.”

Sendelbach commented on the great research happening in the fire service by UL, NIST, NIST and other institutions and urged firefighters to stay educated about this research, particularly as it relates to their safety. “We have to be the most informed, capable fire service we can be,” he said. Further, he underscored the importance of debate in the fire service but reminded that when the science proves something, we have to do something about it and change.

One area where research shows the need for change is in firefighters’ exposure to potentially harmful carcinogens on the fireground. “We must protect our firefighters first and foremost,” Sendelbach emphasized.

As an example of how one company is showing its commitment to change in the name of firefighter safety, Sendelbach talked about Firehouse’s partnership with Lion Apparel. As the exclusive apparel provider for hands-on training (HOT) at the Firehouse Expo conference, Lion is helping reduce unnecessary exposure to fireground contaminants by providing HOT students with turnout gear that can be left behind at the training site—not taken back to their hotel room or personal vehicle.

In closing, Sendelbach urged firefighters to challenge the way we do things, particularly if our operations create unsafe working environments. “Challenge your brother and sister firefighters to do the right thing,” he said. And that is when you can say you are truly “all in” for the fire service.

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