EMMITSBURG, MD -- "...Being a firefighter isn't just what you do. It's who you are. But we also know your bravery comes at a real cost. This year alone, we’ve have already had 61 line-of-duty firefighters’ deaths in the United States..."
Addressing hundreds of fire and rescue personnel attending the U.S. Fire Administrator's Summit on Fire Prevention and Control, President Joe Biden promised his commitment to support legislation that will keep them safe.
"Look, I joined this summit virtually last year, and I wanted to be with you in person this year. But there was a critical issue, and it required me to stay at the White House to respond to the terrorist attacks in Israel.
We’ve gotten word that several firefighters have already been killed in the assault on Israel, and Dr. Lori (U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell) and her team are in touch with fire officials on the ground.
You know, you’ve heard me say before: God made man, then he made a few firefighters..."
Biden continued: "This is National Fire Prevention Week, and the one thing we can do to make our j- — your jobs safer is to prevent the fires in the first place."
He acknowledged the dangers firefighters face while doing their jobs.
"Toxic substances you’ve exposed to are almost certainly why cancer is the leading cause — the leading killer of firefighters is cancer...My budget includes $1.7 billion for my Cancer Moonshot — to keep part — key parts of my Unity Agenda in the State of the Union to cut cancer deaths rates in half, to invest in research and development and early detection and screening..."
He noted that the National Firefighter Cancer Registry went online in April in an effort to collect data on "to better understand the link between workforce exposure and cancer among firefighters."
In addition to the physical toll, Biden said he knows the nature of the job also is impacting responders' mental health.
He recently signed legislation that families of firefighters who die by suicide linked to job stresses are eligible for Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB).
The president also said he is pushing Congress to increase SAFER and AFG grants which are vital to making sure departments have the proper equipment and staffing.
Hours earlier, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas shared his appreciation.
"The emergencies to which a firefighter responds are as varied as life itself. The character of the firefighter who responds, however, is constant: courageous, devoted to duty, committed to community, willing to sacrifice.
Firefighters are the first to be called, and the last to leave, when everything hits the fan. That is why the Department of Homeland Security, through the U.S. Fire Administration, is working to make sure that every firefighter has the support and resources they need to do their job."
Mayorkas said he was honored to back at the table with fire service leaders to learn about issues.
"We all know certain facts: wildfires are becoming more frequent and more destructive in more places; the number of firefighters who need treatment for fire-related cancers is growing; new technologies, like lithium-ion batteries, are introducing new risk factors; too many firefighters, and the families who serve with them, are struggling with the mental health impacts of the job; and, we need to do more to both recruit the next generation of firefighters and retain this generation of firefighters."
At this summit last year, we developed the National Fire Service Strategy to respond directly to these challenges and the needs of firefighters nationwide. We are making progress."
He remembered a conversation he had with Maui Fire Chief Brad Ventura after the historic deadly wildfire.
"When asked about the impact that tragedy had on his crew, he said, “unless you were in there with us, you cannot fully appreciate it.'”
The secretary said while he agrees with Ventura, he believes frank, honest discussions like those that take place at the summit "are critical to helping us appreciate what you need to get through it."
Panelists who included researchers as well as fire officers outlined challenges including recruitment and retention, wildfires, mental health, firefighter cancer as well as codes and standards.
Following last year's historic summit, fire officials developed a National Fire Strategy.
Among their suggestions was the fire service have a greater role in federal policy development as it relates to public safety.
Policy makers, they say. "must recognize the fire service is the firt line of response to all disasters including thouse involving wind, water, fire or other hazards..."
In a letter to President Biden, Moore-Merrell wrote: "Fire is a threat to individuals and our communities, and fire is also a threat to our homeland. Beyond whole-of-government reactive responses to fire tragedies and disasters...It requires national resources, coordination, collaboration and standardization involving a range of stakeholders from government, industry, non-profit institutions, academia and engaged citizens.
"...Now, more than ever, we have the means to address the fire-related challenges we face..."
The summit was a joint project of the U.S. Fire Administrator and the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation (NFFF).
NFFF CEO Victor Stagnaro told the crowd: "This summit allows us to stand together with one voice. I believe President Truman was envisioning what we are witnessing today. Listen to his words: 'It is the responsibility of every state and local official, and every citizen to aggressively support this national war against the growing menace of fire.'"
Issues discussed included:
Impact of climate change
The intensity of wildfires has increased as has the number of wildfires impacting the built environment over the past 30 years.
A recent National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) needs assessment found that “while 87 percent of structural fire departments respond to interface fires, just under half have training.”
The USFA’s goal is to ‘prepare all firefighters for the climate-driven increase in wildland-urban interface (WUI) and in rural and suburban communities by providing them with the proper training and equipment.”
EV and energy transition
The USFA believes it’s vital that firefighters understand the dangers associated with lithium-ion (LI) batteries.
Officials noted that research shows the LI batteries present four hazards to firefighters – flammable gas release, flaming, vented deflagrations and explosions.
“The fire service must lead the discussion of safety surrounding the LI batteries and other alternative energy sources.”
