National Fire Fighter Health Week 2010

National Fire Fighter Health Week (Aug 16-20) kicked off yesterday for a week long initiative to educate the community of fire and emergency services, as well as the public concerning issues of heath and wellness that affect first responders. This annual initiative was first started in 2007 by The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC). This week long event was created to "create awareness around important health issues in the emergency services and encourage first responders to take action.

2010's theme is, "Only you can Keep It Strong are you up to the Challenge?"

This theme asks first responders to take personal responsibility for their health and wellness to take the necessary steps to keep their heart, mind, and body strong. Each day this week is dedicated to a different health issue of particular concern to emergency services service personnel.

Yesterday's health concern that was highlighted was "Head Strong - Behavioral Health" awareness.

For information about each of these support in health topics, and steps that fire and emergency services first responders can take to protect themselves as well as their love ones head over to The National Volunteer Fire Council website:

www.healthy-firefighter.org/index.php?I'd=720

What you'll find on the NVFC's web page is a link for each day this week that takes you to some very good insight as well as what you can do for the day. The five focus topics this year are behavioral health, personal protective equipment (PPE), heart-health, cancer, nutrition, and fitness. Most importantly though, it gives you very good references and important resources to refer too.

Today's focus subject is "Respond Strong - Put It On" Today's topic focuses not only on the safety reasons for wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), but the important health reasons for doing so as well. Here's a FDNNTV.com video. . .



Just like having the right tool on the fire ground to use to combat a fire or provide valuable emergency medical service, having the right, current, and updated information to keep us all in the emergency service/first responders healthy is just as important.


SCENE SAFETY - SCENE SAFETY - SCENE SAFETY


(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; this is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Today is “National Pet Fire Safety Day”

The American Kennel Club, ADT Security Services and the National Volunteer Fire Council are all teaming up to help reduce the number of pets which are affected in home fires each year. These agencies will be distributing free static window clings to area pet owners as well as spread awareness about how pets can start home fires and how to prevent them.

Home fires are the most common disaster and also the most preventable. According to the United States Fire Administration, an estimated 500,000 pets are affected annually by home fires, and a new data analysis by the National Fire Protection Association shows that nearly 1,000 house fires each year are accidentally started by the homeowners’ pets.

Tragically, the numbers of pets killed or injured in home fires are expected to rise this summer as more people spend time away from their homes, leaving pets all alone.



Fire departments across the country have partnered for this initiative to provide a free Pet Fire Safety Window Clings to everyone who wants one. There is a listing, by state, on the the National Volunteer Fire Council's (NVFC) Pet Fire Safety Day web page of fire departments that serve as distribution points for the window clings. Simply go to the closest location to get your free window cling. ADT is also distributing pet window clings that community members can put in their windows to alert rescuers as to the number and types of pets in the house. Pet Fire Safety Window Clings are also free, and can be ordered from www.adt.com/pets.

Affix a Pet Fire Safety Window Cling and write down the number of pets inside your house and attach the static cling to a front window. This critical information saves rescuers time when locating your pets. Make sure to keep the number of pets listed on them updated.

Here are some fire safety tips to help educate pet owners on how to prevent their beloved pet from starting a fire, as well as how to keep their pets safe:

Prevent your pet from starting fires

• Extinguish open flames - Pets are generally curious and will investigate cooking appliances, candles, or even a fire in your fireplace. Ensure your pet is not left unattended around an open flame and make sure to thoroughly extinguish any open flame before leaving your home.

• Remove stove knobs - Be sure to remove stove knobs or protect them with covers before leaving the house – a stove or cook top is the number one piece of equipment involved in your pet starting a fire.

• Invest in flameless candles – These candles contain a light bulb rather than an open flame, and take the danger out of your pet knocking over a candle. Cats are notorious for starting fires when their tails turn over lit candles.

• Beware of water bowls on wooden decks – Do not leave a glass water bowl for your pet outside on a wooden deck. The sun’s rays when filtered through the glass and water can actually heat up and ignite the wooden deck beneath it. Choose stainless steel or ceramic bowls instead.

• Pet proof the home - Take a walk around your home and look for areas where pets might start fires inadvertently, such as loose wires and other potential hazards.

Keep your pets safe

• Keep pets near entrances when away from home – When leaving pets home alone, keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them.

• Secure young pets - Especially with young puppies, keep them confined away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home, such as in crates or behind baby gates in secure areas.

• Practice escape routes with pets – Keep collars and leashes at the ready in case you have to evacuate quickly with your pet or firefighters need to rescue your pet.

• Consider using monitored smoke detection services – As an added layer of protection beyond battery-operated smoke alarms, smoke detectors connected to a monitoring center help save pets who can’t escape when left home alone.

• Affix a pet alert window cling – Write down the number of pets inside your house and attach the static cling to a front window. This critical information saves rescuers time when locating your pets. Make sure to keep the number of pets listed on them updated.


(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; this is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)