U.S. Mayors to Suit Up and Conduct Fire Rescue Drill in Boston
BOSTON – More than 30 U.S. mayors, including Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, are about to feel the heat. These dedicated city leaders will don firefighting turnout gear (weighing over 60 pounds) and participate in FIRE OPS 101 (#IAFFMayorsFIREOPS), a series of intense and authentic firefighting and rescue drills.
“Fire fighters are the first people we call when we smell smoke or see flames. We rely on them to save our homes and loved ones, while they put their own lives at risk. We want to give these mayors a glimpse of what it takes to do the job by making them a fire fighter for a day,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger.
The program, planned in conjunction with the 86th Annual U.S. Conference of Mayors in Boston, is hosted by the International Association of Fire Fighters, Boston Fire Fighters IAFF Local 718 and the Boston Fire Department.
Reporters covering politics or public safety and broadcast journalists looking for a compelling video segment are also encouraged to attend FIRE OPS 101. Journalists are invited to participate or observe and cover the event. For more information, contact Tim Burn, IAFF Press Secretary, at (202) 230-7167 or [email protected].
A list of participating mayors follows: Marty Walsh, Boston; Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles; Timothy McDonough, Hope, NJ; David Alvey, Kansas City, KS; Chris Beutler, Lincoln, NE; Carlo DeMaria,Everett, MA; Bill Carpenter, Brockton, MA; Ruthanne Fuller, Newton, MA; Jeffrey Slavin, Somerset, MD; Michael Brown,Grand Forks, ND; Victoria Woodards,Tacoma, WA; Deb Feinen, Champaign, IL; William “Doug” Franklin, Warren, OH; Michael Taylor, Sterling Heights, MI; Brian Wahler, Piscataway, NJ; Leon Rockingham, Jr., North Chicago, IL; Dennis Doyle, Beaverton, OR, Gary Soiseth, Turlock, CA; Pauline Russo Cutter, San Leandro, CA; Catherine Blakespear, Encinitas, CA; John Giles, Mesa, AZ; Mark Mitchell,Tempe, AZ; Becky Ames, Beaumont, TX; Derrick Freeman, Port Arthur, TX; Derrick Henry, Daytona Beach, FL; Oliver Gilbert, Miami Gardens, FL; Francis Suarez, Miami, FL, Zach Vruwink, Wisconsin Rapids, WI.
