Scuttlebutt 8/22

NVFC Hydration Partnerships

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is partnering in separate efforts with Anheuser-Busch and DripDrop Hydration, respectively, to keep volunteer firefighters hydrated.

It’s the fourth year in a row that NVFC partnered with Anheuser-Busch and the third year with DripDrop Hydration, which is an electrolyte powder company.

The NVFC/Anheuser-Busch effort will provide more than 1.5 million cans of emergency drinking water to some-440 volunteer fire departments in 46 states.

DripDrop is donating 400,000 servings of its oral rehydration solution (ORS) to volunteer fire departments.

NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch called the NVFC/Anheuser-Busch program “invaluable,” given volunteer departments’ limited budgets. In separate remarks, he said of his association’s work with DripDrop, “This donation of DripDrop ORS will provide medical-grade dehydration relief to protect the health of firefighters as they do their jobs and keep them performing safely and effectively.”

Fire departments can learn more about the NVFC/Anheuser-Busch Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters Program at nvfc.org/water. Active U.S. volunteer firefighters can request a product donation, while supplies last, dripdrop.com/nvfc-2022.

Nena National Emergency Number Association242735679 228750519278377 5946793691983449842 N

NENA Seeks Applicants to Serve on Education Advisory Board

NENA: The 9-1-1 Association seeks to fill a vacancy on its Education Advisory Board. The team is charged with carrying out NENA’s educational mission.

Candidates are required to be NENA members in good standing who possess the skills that are necessary to support and direct NENA’s educational mission and goals. Candidates who hold the Emergency Number Professional (ENP) certification are preferred. Applications are due by Aug. 19, 2022.

Learn more at nena.org/eab-purpose.

Rise in Trench-Related Fatalities Spurs OSHA

In the first six months of 2022, 22 workers fell victim to the deadly hazards that are present in trenching and excavation work. The amount surpassed the 15 fatalities that occurred in all of 2021. This prompted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to launch enhanced enforcement initiatives to protect workers from known industry hazards.

To stress the dangers of disregarding federal workplace safety requirements for trenching and excavation work, OSHA enforcement staff will consider every available tool at the agency’s disposal. These actions will place additional emphasis on how agency officials evaluate penalties for trenching- and excavation-related incidents, including criminal referrals for federal or state prosecution to hold employers and others accountable when their actions or inactions kill workers or put their lives at risk.

In keeping with its National Emphasis Program for excavations, OSHA compliance officers will perform more than 1,000 trench inspections nationwide, where they might inspect any excavation site during their daily duties.

States that operate their own occupational safety and health plan have similar emphasis programs in place, and OSHA encourages those states to consider additional measures, including criminal referrals for federal or state prosecution for trenching-related incidents.

The agency urges workers to contact their local OSHA or state plan office or to call 800-321-OSHA if their employer requires working in or beside trenches that aren’t sloped, shored or shielded and are five or more feet in depth.

Darley Deemed Platinum for 2021 by Fire-Dex

Darley was recognized again by Fire-Dex as a Top Distributor Company Platinum Award Recipient, this time for its performance in 2021. Darley’s work with Fire-Dex began with the latter’s gloves in the 1980s. The business blossomed over time to include turnout gear, alternative PPE, boots, hoods and helmets. In recent years, Darley and Fire-Dex worked together to provide cleaning and repair to customers.

Fire-Dex products can be ordered at edarley.com/brands/fire-dex.

Phoenix Fire Department Launches Drone Program

Following a one-month phase-in, the Phoenix Fire Department (PFD) is set to go full steam ahead with its new Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program. This will include improving integration into Fire and Special Operations by continuing to train and respond to incidents and meetings with the department’s Fire Prevention Division, in hopes of assisting with outside storage combustible inspection. Having established a group of nine Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-certified pilots, drone team leadership has initiated communications with the FAA, the operations and tower leadership at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and the Phoenix Police Department. PFD’S Technical Services Division is assisting with improving video feed options for command. Those visuals will allow for enhanced reconnaissance capabilities.

During the one-month phase-in program, the PFD’s UAS team conducted 94 flights (14.4 hours in the air), during which the team responded to 12 incidents, including first-alarm fires, brush fires and mountain rescues.