Not Open for Negotiation
Last week while I was at FAMA/FEMSA meetings in Monterey, Calif., I saw two fire trucks stopped at a traffic light. I couldn‘t see if the driver of the old tiller truck was wearing a seatbelt, so I asked him if he was. He replied that the old truck didn‘t have a shoulder strap, but that he was wearing the lap belt. The second apparatus was a newer model, however, and I didn‘t see a shoulder strap on that navy-shirted driver either.
I saw Monterey Safety Officer/Div. Chief Stewart Roth at the FEMSA banquet later that evening. I told him about what I saw, and he took down the details and said he‘d get back to me.
The second firefighter’s name, I found out when Roth called me this week, is Jared Neal and he has been with the department for a year-and-a-half. “When I asked the captains, they told me that he is the most safety-conscious guy we have,” Roth said.
Roth asked Neal about the situation, and the spirited Neal replied, “Chief, the question should be why was I wearing the seatbelt so awesomely!” It turns out that Neal was wearing his seatbelt after all.
Maybe this young firefighter has it right. It might be more effective to compliment firefighters — and officers — for wearing their seatbelts “awesomely” than to reprimand them for not wearing the belts.
As a safety officer, Roth is unusual. He‘s enthusiastic, straightforward and, well, entertaining. When he spoke to the FAMA/FEMSA attendees, he held everyone‘s attention.
“Our firefighters have less injuries today because of the improvements in safety gear,” he told attendees. “Our world has changed. What you provide us today is for a war zone…. I think there will come a time that firefighters will look like astronauts. You are manufacturing equipment for today‘s firefighters. These kids can manipulate equipment, and your job is to keep up with that. You have made us more efficient with more reliable apparatus, equipment and training. We need to teach firefighters what to do with the equipment and how to use it.”
I asked Roth how is it that this young firefighter is so safety conscious, and while he didn‘t have a definitive answer, he says that captains use good leadership and that recruits learn early that safety is non-negotiable. “In the academy, they know they can‘t move until they belt the seatbelts…. I tell them, ‘asking me to overlook your safety is to overlook any value on your life. Don‘t count on it.’”
I spoke with Roth in the same week that the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s held its annual memorial weekend, and it was refreshing to hear from one safety officer who has a clear message.
October 12th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Not only is it refreshing that a recruit is committed to safety but that the safety officer would take the time to track the person down and investigate.
October 12th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
I am waiting for more apparatus mfg to design seats and seatbelts that will accomodate fire fighters in turnout gear and so you can actually put the belts on, in place, easily.
I would also like to see some retrofit kits availalbe from either apparatus mfg or belt mgs for older apparatus; especially for taller/larger individuals.
October 12th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Hi Janet,
What a great message to share. It’s unfortunate to hear, “The safety officer is here! Get your seatbelts on so we don’t get written up!” I think two things need to happen: 1.) Individuals must adopt a personal, positive safety attitude in everything we do from training to the fireground and, 2.) Safety officers (and company officers too) must approach in a way that positively reinforces the good stuff and constructively corrects the bad stuff. Thank you Safety Officer Roth and FF Neal for leading by positive example.
Sincerely,
Paul J. Urbano, Captain
Anchorage (Alaska) Fire Department
October 12th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
According to the USFA, we have lost over 20 firefighters to motor vehicle accidents this year alone. Firefighters Close Calls shows at least 59 reported incidents or accidents involving motor vehicles. Personally, I don’t really care if we use positive re-enforcement tactics or harsh disciplinary action. The fact is your chances of surviving an accident are much better when you are wearing your seatbelt. Not wearing a seatbelt is a behavoral or cultural problem that continues in the fire service and it needs to stop. So, if your a fire officer who is experiencing issues with your crew regarding seat belt safety, it’s up to you to pat your crew on the back or slap their hand as needed. Whatever you choose, just have the courage to do it, and ensure that you are doing everything you can to get your crew home safely at the end of each shift.
Sincerely,
Robert St.Clair, Fire Marshal
Kentwood (MI) Fire Department
October 13th, 2007 at 10:53 am
Stew:
You are and have been for some time one of my heroes. Yea, yea, we hate hearing that, thinking it cheapens the word and the title and denigrates the sacrifice of others. Doug Campbell says that we often celebrate the wrong folks at the wrong time, usually after someone is dead. He says to look for those that are doing heroic work and making good decisions that saves lives before the event.
Common in life and in the fire service, I believe that you‘re probably not appreciated as much as you should be in your own city. If Monterey knew how valuable you are to the region, state, and our profession, then succession planning would be simple in your town. Your attitude is ALWAYS convicting, your smile and your words are always encouraging and infectious. I have personally witnessed your instruction including your recruit academies and your approach to “loving” your troops through excellence in instruction, and your non-negotiable stance on safety and survival. Your folks are blessed to have you, you‘re a gem to know personally, and I‘m glad that Janet wrote what she did. I know I‘m a nerd (Conant the Librarian is not just a nickname!) when I actually look forward to see what Janet has written, she captures a view of our craft in an extraordinary way. You truly deserve her commentary.
October 14th, 2007 at 8:27 am
the important issue here is that their was follow up. If the company officers and safety officers don’t follow up with these issues we will never chnage the culture and continue to lose firefighters in vehicle accidents.
October 15th, 2007 at 11:57 am
If we as firefighters and the fire service as a whole were as enthusiastic about safety as were are about going to fires and conferences, safety would never be an issue. We have to instill in our brothers and sisters that we are not invincible like John and Jane Waynes and that we are as susceptible to injuries and accidents just as much and if not more so than those we serve. I always recall about what a teacher once told my mother about my grades in school. “If there were pictures of fire trucks and firefighting in school books, your son would be an honor student.
With that said, we need to teach, promote and practice safety like it’s something that we are all graded on and everyone should be striving for an A+!
Bradley Hoff
Fire Inspector, Ft. Wainwright F.E.&S. Fairbanks Alaska
Engineer, North Star VFD, North Pole Alaska
October 18th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
To reply to Richard Wadleigh’s comment — a company called Total Contact, Inc. is currently doing a study to measure firefighter’s body sizes so better seat belts can be made. The company president, Jennifer Whitestone, said she was truly amazed at all the stories she heard as to why seat belts are not worn in fire trucks. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is behind the study and the best part is that Total Contact will have information to share with everyone who makes firefighting equipment, gear, seat belts, etc. Jennifer is a friend of mine from high school and I can assure you that when she takes on a study like this, she does it very well. We can look forward to better equipment in the near future!
Krista Wyatt, Captain
Lebanon (Ohio) Fire Division
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