Firefighter Safety Stand Down

The Missouri Valley Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs is officially endorsing the 2006 International Fire Fighter Safety Stand Down, sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Fighters and the IAFC’s Volunteer and Combination Officers’ Section, in partnership with 21 national fire service organizations. The 2006 Stand Down calls for fire departments in the United States and Canada to suspend all non-emergency activity and instead focus entirely on fire fighter safety, beginning June 21 and continuing until all personnel and duty nights have been covered.

Of the 106 fire fighters who died in the line of duty last year, 26 were related to emergency vehicle accidents. That’s why this year’s Stand Down focuses on emergency vehicle safety. The message is simple and direct: wear your seatbelt. Stop at intersections. These two simple actions can be life-saving.

We encourage you and your department to participate in this event. You can find everything you need to plan your Stand Down online at www.iafc.org/standdown. On this site, you will find a recommended activity schedule for the Stand Down; drill topics that you can use in your department; SOPs and SOGs from departments across the United States; handouts and posters; accident reports to discuss; and dozens of other safety-related resources.

While fire fighter safety must be an integral part of every department’s day-to-day activities, it is important enough that the fire service must dedicate one full day to this subject and nothing else. The Stand Down calls attention to the unacceptable number of line-of-duty deaths and injuries plaguing the fire service, and it allows departments an opportunity to devote a significant amount of time to reducing the death and injury rates.

Take action to keep your fire fighters safe. Visit www.iafc.org/standdown and plan to participate.

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