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Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act

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Published on Tuesday, 23 April 2013 15:00

The NVFC supports the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act, which provides tax incentives for the installation and retrofitting of automatic fire sprinklers in commercial structures. The bill would reduce the tax depreciation schedule for retrofitting high-rise properties with automatic fire sprinkler systems. It also makes automatic fire sprinkler systems eligible as a type of equipment that small- and medium-sized businesses can claim a tax deduction for having installed.

In addition to the obvious life and safety benefits associated with more extensive deployment of automatic fire sprinkler systems, passage of the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act would also lower local fire department costs, lead to increased loan activity, reduce insurance claims and premium costs, create jobs in the sprinkler retrofitting and installation industry, and generate payroll tax revenue.

FSIA was not enacted during the previous Congress and will be reintroduced in 2013.
 

Key Fire Service Facts

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Published on Friday, 05 April 2013 18:38

Below are quick fire service facts and statistics. For additional information and statistics, view our Fire Service Fact Sheet at www.nvfc.org/hot-topics/statistics-and-fact-sheets.

  • There are 756,450 volunteer firefighters in the U.S., comprising 69% of the nation’s fire service. (NFPA, U.S. Fire Department Profile Through 2011)
  • The majority of fire departments in the United States are volunteer.
    • Of the total 30,145 fire departments in the country, 20,200 are all volunteer; 5,530 are mostly volunteer; 1,865 are mostly career; and 2,550 are all career. (NFPA, U.S. Fire Department Profile Through 2011)
  • Services contributed by volunteer firefighters save localities across the country an estimated $129.7 billion per year. (NFPA, The Total Cost of Fire in the United States, 2012)
  • Small and mid-sized communities rely heavily on volunteer firefighters. Communities with a population of under 2,500 rely almost entirely on volunteer departments.
  • The number of volunteer firefighters in the U.S. has declined by over 18% since 1984. Major factors contributing to the decline include:
    • Increased time demands to be a firefighter due to increased training requirements, increasing call volumes, and a wider variety of services expected of fire departments.
    • Less time available for individuals to volunteer due to factors such as the proliferation of two-income families and longer commuting distances to work.
    • Change in attitudes among the public such as less focus on volunteering, loss of community pride or feeling that one should give back, employers less willing to let employees off to run calls, etc. (NVFC, Retention & Recruitment in the Volunteer Emergency Services: Challenges and Solutions)
  • While the number of volunteer firefighters is declining, the age of volunteer firefighters is increasing.
  • Fire department call volume has nearly tripled in the last 25 years, mainly due to a sharp increase in the number of EMS calls and false alarms. (NFPA, Fire Loss in the United States 2011)
  • The National Volunteer Fire Council has many programs to address recruitment and retention, including Fire Corps, 1-800-FIRE-LINE, National Junior Firefighter Program, and guides and resources.
  • About half of all firefighter on-duty fatalities are caused by heart attack each year. In 2011, heart attack accounted for 48 of the 83 firefighter line-of-duty deaths. (U.S. Fire Administration, Firefighter Fatalities in the United States in 2011)
    • The NVFC works to lessen and eliminate preventable fatalities through initiatives such as the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program and the B.E.S.T. Practices for Firefighter Health and Safety.
       

Preparedness Resources for Mass Violence and Active Shooter Events

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Published on Friday, 25 January 2013 18:48

Tragedies like the Aurora, CO, movie theater shooting, Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting, the shooting deaths of two on-duty firefighters in West Webster, NY, and the explosions at the Boston Marathon are horrific reminders that firefighters and EMS personnel may respond to or be victims of an active shooter or mass violence incident. These resources are available to help departments be prepared.

Resources

Active Shooter Preparedness
Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) aims to enhance preparedness through a ”whole community” approach by providing training, products, and resources to a broad range of stakeholders on issues such as active shooter awareness, incident response, and workplace violence. Resources include:

  • Active Shooter: What Can You Do course
  • Active shooter webinar
  • Active shooter workshop series
  • Active Shooter: How to Respond resource materials
  • Options for Consideration active shooter training video
  • U.S. Secret Service (USSS) active shooter related research
  • Active shooter resources for law enforcement and trainers


Firefighter Life Safety Initiative 12 Final Report
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Firefighter Life Safety Initiative 12 states that “National protocols for response to violent incidents should be developed and championed.” This report provides recommendations and case studies to help prepare firefighters and emergency responders for life-threatening and violent situations. Included in the report are Specific Strategies for Addressing Response to Violent Incidents and a Preliminary Checklist When Confronted with a Violent Incident.

Nine Questions You Should Ask
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Ask these critical questions to help evaluate your department’s ability to effectively deal with a violent situation. The questions were compiled by Chief John Oates of East Hartford, CT, based on the recommendations from the Firefighter Life Safety Initiative 12 Final Report. Read article summarizing the efforts of the fire, EMS, and law enforcement leaders to develop the report.

The Roles of Fire and EMS Personnel in Armed Attacks
U.S. Fire Administration
This statement by U.S. Deputy Fire Administrator Glenn Gaines looks at steps fire and EMS personnel can take to prepare for an armed attack event as well as resources that can provide more information and best practices.

Performance Venues – Indicators of Violence and Protective Measures
Homeland Security – National Protection and Programs Directorate, Office of Infrastructure Protection
This two-page reference source outlines potential indicators of violence, protective measures for responders, suspicious activity reporting and emergency notifications, planning and preparedness, and more.

Operational Templates and Guidance for EMS Mass Care Incident Deployment
U.S. Fire Administration; DHS Office of Health Affairs (OHA); and the National Emergency Medical Services Management Association
This report presents model policies and practices across a spectrum of disciplines and provider types to lead to a better prepared EMS deployment to mass care incidents.

Active Shooter: How To Respond
Department of Homeland Security
These resource materials include a poster (available in English and Spanish), booklet, and pocket guide (available in English and Spanish).

Courses and Webinars

Active Shooter: What You Can Do
Federal Emergency Management Agency
This free 45-minute online course provides guidance to individuals, including managers and employees, so that they can prepare to respond to an active shooter situation.

Active Shooter Awareness Virtual Roundtable
Department of Homeland Security
This webinar is part of the Critical Infrastructure Learning Series, which provides one-hour web-based seminars conducted by senior critical infrastructure protection experts on the tools, trends, issues, and best practices for infrastructure protection and resilience.

Mass Shootings: Planning and Response for Fire and EMS Services
Firefighter Support Foundation
This free training details the actions that firefighters and EMS agencies can take to prepare themselves for a mass shooting event and actions to take when such an event occurs. The program is available as a 45-minute video with a downloadable PowerPoint presentation.

Bombing Prevention Training
Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security offers a series of bombing prevention training courses to state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies and critical infrastructure owners and operators. These in-person courses can be requested through the Department’s Regional Directors and Protective Security Advisors.

Articles

How to Prepare Your Department for Mass Shootings Like in Aurora, Colo.
FireChief.com

Fire and EMS Response to Mass Fatality Incidents
EMSWorld.com

Emotional Support

National Fire Service Member Assistance Program
EMTs and firefighters who respond to mass incidents may need emotional support getting through the aftermath of witnessing such tragedy. The National Volunteer Fire Council has partnered with American Addiction Centers to provide a toll-free hotline that NVFC members and their families can call for immediate assistance with issues such as PTSD, stress, substance abuse, psychological problems, or anything disrupting the member’s work life and overall wellness.

 

Understanding and Implementing NFPA Standards

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Published on Thursday, 28 February 2013 20:25

Utilize the following guide and online resource center to understand and implement three key NFPA standards for health and safety. 

Understanding and Implementing Standards: NFPA 1500, 1720, and 1851

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) partnered with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to draft this guide. Understanding and Implementing Standards examines three major NFPA standards that focus on safety and health and offers clarification, identifies manageable steps, and highlights available resources to assist departments in reaching their safety goals.

The featured standards include:

  • 1500 Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program
  • 1720 Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations and Special Operations to the Public by Volunteer Fire Departments
  • 1851 Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting


You can also view the media advisory and short video from the NFPA that provides an overview of the standards guide here.

Order a print copy of the guide here.

Additional Resources

The following resources will assist departments in adopting and implementing the standards covered in the guide:

NFPA 1500


NFPA 1720


NFPA 1851


Sample SOPs and SOGs

Use the sample SOPs and SOGs below to help your department:

Cherryville Fire Department (NC)


Riverside Fire Authority (WA)

PPE:



Learn From Other Departments

Cherryville Fire Department (NC)

NFPA 1500

NFPA 1720

Riverside Fire Authority (WA)

Approach to New Standards

Share Your Experiences

Help other departments meet their safety goals by sharing your experiences with NFPA standards. Detail successes, challenges, and best practices and upload sample SOPs/SOGs for other departments to reference. Share your story here.
 

Member Assistance Program

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Published on Tuesday, 18 December 2012 13:33

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and American Addiction Centers have teamed up to provide the National Fire Services Member Assistance Program to all NVFC members and their families. NVFC members and their families can call the FREE, confidential Member Assistance Hotline at 1-888-731-FIRE (3473) any time day or night to help you through issues affecting your life.

The Member Assistance Program can help with any problems that affect your work or personal life. These may include alcohol or drug addiction, anxiety or depression, stress, PTSD, relationship problems, work-related concerns, legal problems, financial management difficulties, critical incidents, or psychological problems.

How does the MAP work?

The Member Assistance Program provides confidential counseling, guidance, and referral services to help NVFC members and their families manage personal and work-related problems. Representatives are available through a 24-hour toll-free phone line. When you call the toll-free number you may receive immediate help for your problem, or arrangements will be made for you to meet with a counselor in your area. Depending on the nature of your problem, you may receive information about other resources in your community.

The toll-free confidential hotline is provided to NVFC members at no cost to the member or family member. This service is offered by the NVFC as a member benefit. If treatment, counseling, or other help is recommended by the Member Assistance Professional, your health benefits may cover some or all of the related costs. Every effort will be made to find quality care within your ability to pay.

View program brochure.

Call 1-888-731-FIRE (3473) to get help.
  

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  4. Medicare Ambulance Access Preservation Act