Detroit FD

Similar to its city, the City of Detroit Fire Department has been plagued with a variety of issues. With the financial woes of the city, the fire department suffered using broken equipment and apparatus that sorely needed replaced. Firefighters at times are forced to buy equipment on their own when the department doesn't pay. There is also a manpower shortage that has also had effects on the fire service. 

In January 2013, dispatch redirected an ambulance going to a structure fire to another medical call for back pain. Two children were injured in the fire, and firefighters had to perform CPR in the fire engine to transport the children to the hospital, one of whom was in cardiac arrest. One of the children died. It is not Detroit protocol to send an ambulance to every structure fire.   

Detroit also has more structure fires than any other US city, approximately 33. Ninety percent of those are estimated to be set intentionally. 

Back in March, the city announced a plan to reinvest $82.1 million dollars into the fire department as part of its proposed adjustment plan.

It is important to recognize the source that showed the nation what the Detroit Fire Department was truly facing. A documentary called "Burn," released in 2012, showed the world what Detroit faces every day. New York Magazine called it "haunting" and said that it shows "the toughest guys in the world." 

The project stemmed from the 2008 line of duty death of Detroit firefighter Walter Harris, who died fighting an abandoned house fire. Tom Putnam and Benna Sanchez knew that there was a story to be told and went after it. They were told that it wasn't possible, there wasn't an audience. So donations funded it. They distributed and screen it themselves. Now, it has made an impact across the nation, breaking records with its appeal. People wanted to know what was going on. A portion of the sales goes to the Leary Firefighters Foundation to buy turnout gear and equipment for Detroit firefighters. Because of their ambition, there is more awareness to their challenges. And Detroit firefighters are the toughest around. God bless them. Thanks to "Burn," a few more firefighters may be safer today. Let's keep each other safe.

Firefighter Fitness

Staying fit is an important consideration for firefighters, but it isn't necessarily a priority for some firefighters. Others may want to stay fit or get in shape but don't know where to start. Just getting started at all can be a challenge, but sometimes you don't want to overhaul your life all at once for fitness. Implementing fitness into your life can be a small change, just start off going for walks throughout the week.

How many line of duty deaths are caused by heart attacks? How many of those heart attacks could have been prevented by living a healthier lifestyle? The introduction of exercise will help make you a safer firefighter and contribute to the safety of others.

Firefighting is a high intensity, high demanding job. Cardiovascular endurance is key to physically performing the job. What many do not necessarily consider is that exercise can impact the mind is well. As I said, firefighter is a high demanding job. That goes for the mental side too. A lot of people find working out beneficial to their mental state.

What type of exercises should firefighters do? I think it is important to not give a cookie cutter answer. I’m not going to say that every firefighter should do CrossFit or yoga. I think every firefighter should consider their needs and their bodies. As well, for exercise to remain effective, you have to continue to challenge yourself and stay motivated. Staying motivated means you need to stay interested.

With that being said, consider the demands of the job. You are working with heavy equipment, carrying people, and wearing pounds of gear. What does that do to your body? What do you need to perform those jobs? Building up endurance is a key element to this. But that doesn’t necessarily mean simply running miles every day. Adding repetitions or adding weights can build up endurance too.

Here are a couple articles that get more in depth on certain types of exercises-http://firefightertoolbox.com/yoga-firefighters/  http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2010/03/fire-cardio-training.html

Remember to keep yourself motivated too. Exercising will be much easier if you want it. Consider your health, your safety, and the safety of your crew. Maybe you won’t necessarily see results physically at first, but you might just notice the difference on the fire ground. And that’s what is important. Everyone goes home. Stay safe. 

SCBA Training

Obviously, the SCBA is your lifeline. Proficiency with the SCBA is absolutely necessary to any firefighter's success. The SCBA is your access to air, making it an essential resource. However, it's heavy and cumbersome. Turnout gear is already heavy and cumbersome, so this just adds to it. You have to maneuver on your hands and knees, over, under, through tight spaces, carry more equipment, and do so much more all the while wearing a pack and on air. What ways are there to become proficient?

Actually, a lot. Honestly, I think the 60 second drill is great. It makes you familiar with the SCBA. You figure out how it best fits you, you make it work for your body. By timing it, you have a guide to how you are improving with it, how well you know. Your equipment is only as good as you are.

A quick search into YouTube brings up a variety of SCBA drills on the first page. I love the ideas of climbing around a playground or playing a game of basketball in your turnout gear while on air. It makes it different. You are challenging yourself to be adaptable with your equipment and testing your endurance.Here and here are two examples of the playground drill where they had a charged hoselines to follow as well.

This video shows an obstacle course to build confidence in SCBAs. As well, it present many potential, realistic challenges that you could face. Managing your air to get the job done is another vital aspect of SCBA proficiency. This requires more equipment, but can be a very effective drill. This obstacle was really developed, but use what you can for your needs/wants.

There are many other ways to train with the SCBA, such as buddy breathing or emergency procedures. Your drills can help in other areas as well. Keep an open mind and use your resources for different drills. Some of the more unique drills may have more of an impact in your firefighter's memories.

Stay safe!

EMS versus Athletic Trainers?

"Fire Engineering" recently reported that the University of Minnesota is completing a study to understand the relationship and differences between certified athletic trainers and emergency medical personnel.

This is an interesting study, especially because it says about the understanding of each other's profession. When I was in high school, I was a student athletic trainer and considered going to college for it. Ultimately, I didn't, but I was lucky enough to gain experience. My student athletic training years taught me a lot. During that time, I also obtained my EMT-B. What is interesting to me is that the study questions how much either side knows about the other's educational background. I know several athletic training programs, albeit most of them in Pennsylvania, required their Bachelor of Science athletic training students to take an EMT course and become certified EMTs.

From my experience, athletic trainers and EMTs have a professional relationships. Athletic trainers know when to call the EMTs, and EMTs are willing to help. My EMT class didn't teach me to tape ankles just like athletic training experience didn't teach me how to suction. However, there is a overlap in the skills sections. I think because of that, the two professions automatically have respect for one another. It's a working and professional relationship. Working together only helps the other. I hope to be able to find the study when its finished. I would love to hear perspective from EMTs or ATs. I also wonder what prompted the study. Overall, I find it fascinating.

Boston LODD

On March 26, a nine alarm fire which grew more dangerous due to high winds took the lives of two of Boston's firefighters, Lieutenant Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy. Usually, the news of a line of duty death makes only local news and through the firefighting community. However, this caught the attention of the nation. Over 150 firefighters battled against the blaze and 17 firefighters were sent to the hospital due to injuries sustained during the fire. New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady even commented on the fire; the fire was at a house just a few down from where he lives. Brady was photographed observing firefighters work.

There is so much more to consider with these line of duty deaths. It is always hard to lose a comrade to the beast, we always want to fulfill "everyone comes home." Walsh left behind a wife and three young children, Kennedy had served as a Marine in the Iraq War and leaves behind a girlfriend who plans to run in the Boston Marathon with his initials painted on her leg this week. Both are described as jakes dedicated to the job and all-around good guys.

Their funerals were attended by thousands. Thousands of firefighters from across the country came to pay their final respects to these two men. From small town USA to Pittsburgh to New York City and everyone in between, firefighters wanted a chance to pay their final respects.

Boston Deputy Chief Joseph Finn said that "In 30 years, I have never seen a fire travel that fast, escalate that quickly, and create havoc in such a short period of time." (CBS Boston)

This fire was ferocious. Often, after injury or death, we ask why or what we could have done to prevent it. It will be a valuable read once the official report comes out, but this fire was simply nasty. In the attempt to rescue the fallen firefighters, other firefighters were injured and blown back by a backdraft. The incident commander had to decide to pull out the rest of the firefighters in order to keep the rest of the crews safe. Nothing about this fire was routine. Everything was hard.

We, as a brotherhood, recognize the sacrifice these two men made that March afternoon. As well, we know everything that their comrades are going through as they try to move forward. Even though Boston lost two, the next call, the crews had to be ready. And Lt. Walsh and Firefighter Kennedy would not expect anything else. Rest in peace brothers, we got it from here.