For the Record 10/22

EVT of the Year Nominations

Firehouse and the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) announced the Call for Nominations for the 10th annual Emergency Vehicle Technician of the Year Award.

Anyone can nominate an EVT who meets the following criteria:

• A member in good standing of a state or local EVT association as of Jan. 1, 2022
• At least five years full-time employment in the maintenance of emergency vehicles
• Working toward or passed any of the Emergency Vehicle Technician Certification Commission tests
• Working toward or passed any of the Automotive Service Excellence tests
• Fosters professionalism through participation in a local, state or provincial maintenance/emergency vehicle technician association
• Adheres to the education of safety practices and procedures in the profession

A letter of nomination for the EVT that explains why that person is nominated and any supporting information should be included with the completed entry form and e-mailed to [email protected] by Nov. 2, 2022.

Download and complete the entry form here: firehouse.com/2022evt.

IAFF and Metro Chiefs Advise on Turnout Gear and Health Risks

The IAFF and the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association (Metro Chiefs) issued a joint statement that advises members of the adverse health risks that are associated with turnout gear. The statement indicated that recent studies show that all three layers of protective clothing contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals. Those chemicals are linked to cancer and the cause of firefighter deaths, the statement read.

The IAFF and Metro Chiefs encourage members to reduce their exposure to PFAS by limiting use of turnout gear to emergency responses where its protection is a necessity. Wearing all PPE and SCBA during firefighting, overhaul and working in smoke remains the best first line of defense to protect against fireground contaminants until PFAS-free alternatives are available.

“This is the challenge of our generation, and if we don’t act, it will be the challenge of our children’s generation,” IAFF General President Edward A. Kelly said.

The joint statement also asked firefighters not to bring turnout gear into firehouse living areas, to transport gear in sealed containers or bags (and, preferably, not within a vehicle’s passenger compartment), to wash hands after handling turnout gear, and to clean apparatus cabs regularly and after every fire.

Celebrating ‘Firehouse’

FDNY Members Night at the New York City Fire Museum on Oct. 20, 2022, will showcase award-winning photographer Jill Freedman’s collection of photographs that document FDNY firefighters on the job in the 1970s in the South Bronx and Harlem. The photographs appeared in the book, “Firehouse,” by Freedman and Dennis Smith, which was published in 1977. The book garnered rave reviews. Organizers of the event say Freedman’s honest and gritty images “captured the danger, tragedy, heroism and camaraderie of being a firefighter in New York City during some of the most challenging and tumultuous years.”

The book was edited by retired FDNY member Keith Nicoliello.

Entry is free to all active and retired FDNY members.

For information, go to nycfiremuseum.org.

2022 Volunteer and Career Fire Chiefs of the Year

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), in partnership with Pierce Manufacturing, announced the 2022 IAFC Fire Chief of the Year honorees. They are volunteer Fire Chief Marshall Turbeville of the Northern Sonoma Fire Protection District in Sonoma County, CA, and career Fire Chief Gary Ludwig of the Champaign, IL, Fire Department.

Turbeville has served as fire chief with Northern Sonoma County Fire since 2013. In 2021, he was presented the Wildfire Mitigation Award, which was established by the IAFC, the National Association of State Foresters, NFPA and the USDA Forest Service.

Ludwig, who has been a Firehouse Magazine contributor, established an economic task force in March 2020 to help fire chiefs and departments navigate through reduced tax revenue that was caused by the pandemic. He worked directly with Congress on pandemic-related funding measures for emergency services.

For more information, go to iafc.org/about-iafc/awards/fire-chief-of-the-year.

EMT Board Rescinds Draft Resolution

The board of directors of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) rescinded a resolution that would have updated the eligibility criteria for all certification levels (EMR, EMT, AEMT and paramedic). The resolution sought to include successful completion of an EMS education program that meets or exceeds the National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards and accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs; a “letter of review” from the Committee on Accreditation of Emergency Medical Services Professions; or state EMS office approval.

The decision to rescind the draft revolution occurred after more than 1,150 comments, questions and concerns were submitted during a 60-day comment period.

The NREMT said that it will convene a national task force that will “further the conversation and explore solutions facing our ‘EMS education system’ from the local to national levels.”

For more information, go to NREMT.org.

Line-of-Duty Deaths

2 U.S. firefighters died in the line of duty. One died from injuries that he suffered during wildfire operations, and one died from a health-related incident. This issue of Firehouse is dedicated to these firefighters.

Firefighter Logan Taylor of Sasquatch Reforestation died on Aug. 18. He was critically injured after he was struck by a tree on the Rum Creek Fire, which is located north of Galice, OR. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue immediately responded with a helicopter and personnel. Taylor was airlifted out of the mountainous terrain to an awaiting Mercy Flights helicopter, which then transported him to Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. Despite lifesaving efforts, he died from the injuries that he sustained. Taylor was the operator of Sasquatch Reforestation, which contracted with the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Capt. Gary DeCook of the Barnes City, IA, Volunteer Fire Department died on Aug. 27. On that day, DeCook performed maintenance at the fire station, including fire apparatus and equipment work. After he finished, he went home; within five minutes of arriving, DeCook collapsed in his driveway. His fellow emergency responders immediately performed CPR on arrival but were unsuccessful. DeCook passed away from an apparent heart attack.