2023 April FFS Magazine

Florida Fire Service is the monthly publication of the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association, provided to Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association (FFCA) members, by the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association.

Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association

221 Pinewood Drive Tallahassee, FL 32303

Phone:(850) 900-5180

Email: info@ffca.org • www.ffca.org

FFCA Staff

Wm. Ray Colburn - Executive Director & CEO

Ngoc Huynh - Operations & Events Director

Denise Holley - Office Manager

Liz Aperauch - Marketing Coordinator

FFCA Board of Directors

Douglas Riley - President

Harold Theus - 1st Vice President

Michael Choate - 2nd Vice President

Ty Silcox - Immediate Past President

Carlos Aviles - Secretary/Treasurer

Ryan H. Crawford - Northwest Region Director

Brady Rigdon - Northeast Region Director

Chuck Bogle - East Central Region Director

Chantal Botting - Southeast Region Director

Ian Kemp - West Central Region Director

GregoryDeWitt - Southwest Region Director

Wm. Ray Colburn- Executive Director & CEO

James White - Foundation Chair

Leland Greek - Senior Member

Editorial Submissions magazine@ffca.org

(850) 900-5180

Advertising

Scott Leisen, Editor in Chief scott@ffca.org

(386) 717-0055

Subscription rate for members is $36, which is included in member dues. Archived electronic monthly editions of Florida Fire Service magazine are available at www.ffca.org. Log in as a member and click on the Publications tab.

Florida Fire Service

April 2023, Volume 31, Number 4

USPS # 016-759

Periodical postage paid in Daytona Beach, Florida, and additional post offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Florida Fire Service, 221 Pinewood Drive Tallahassee, FL 32303. Statements of fact and opinion are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of the officers or the members of FFCA.

Copyright 2023 by the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association. All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced without written permission.

Greetings FFCA family.

The FFCA board and staff are currently underway with the 2023 annual regional meetings. We have completed two of the six meetings. The Southwest Regional Meeting was held on April 6 in Northport. Thank you to our SW Region Director, Greg DeWitt, for coordinating that meeting and for the wonderful hospitatlity of the Northport Fire Department. The remaining four regional meeting dates and locations have been established and invitations will be coming soon. These meetings are ver y informative, and we hope that you all will be able to attend the meeting in your region. Planning for the 2023 annual Executive Development Conference (EDC) is underway and will be

held at the beautiful Naples Grande hotel on July 14 through 18, 2023. New to this year’s conference will be the first official meeting for our newest committee, Women in the Fire Service.

The 2023 legislative session is in full swing, and our staff and legislative team have been working diligently to support legislative that supports the Florida fire service while taking a firm stand against anything that could potentially have a negative impact on all of us. We appreciate the partnerships and support of the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association, the Florida Professional Firefighters, and the Florida Safety and Health Collaborative just to name a few. Please reach out to the FFCA board and staff if you have

Calling All Crafters and Artisans!

The Florida Fire Chiefs’ Foundation is accepting donations for the upcoming silent auction which will be held at the 2023 Executive Development Conference in Naples on July 14-18. The silent auction is the largest fundraiser of the year for the foundation, and all proceeds go to provide educational opportunities, including scholarships, to fire and emergency services professionals, as well as future firefighting candidates. We know we have some very talented members, and these creative arts and crafts have been popular with our bidders in the past, so we would like to include them again this year. If you are interested in donating to the silent auction, or to learn more about the foundation and silent auction, visit the website clicking on this link: www.ourfundraiser.link/ EDC2023SilentAuction or contact Liz Aperauch at liz@ffca.org.

Douglas Riley, Fire Chief FFCA President

any questions, suggestions, or concerns.

Finally, we continue to work closely with the Florida Professional Firefighters and the Florida Firefighter Safety and Health collaborative to provide the most up to date information about best practices to protect our personnel from the negative impacts of the profession to include reducing the incidence of occupational cancers and maintaining the mental health of our firefighters. The safety and well-being of our firefighters is and must always be our highest priority, and we stand firm in our commitment to taking care of those that take care of our citizens and visitors every minute of every day.

Stay safe and we hope to see you at one of our meetings or conferences soon.

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Hypocrisy Hypocrisy

By Rick Spence

Hypocrisy. It is something that we all seem to despise in other people, yet I am sure we are all guilty of it to some extent. It permeates every aspect of our society, academia, entertainment, sports, politics, and even within our churches. I’m guessing it might even exist within the fire service. The Latin translation means to play a part or pretend. Historically, it was used as a reference to actors and their performance on stage. Today, it has a much more negative connotation. It often refers to someone whose words say one thing but their actions say something very different. I think we have all experienced interaction with people who demonstrate hypocrisy in ever y level of society and we probably do not like that interaction.

It reminds me of a time when I worked for the Houston Astros baseball team when they conducted their spring training in Kissimmee. Iprovided first aid services for the fans that came out to watch them play and practice on the surrounding fields. I did this for nine years and got to know several of the players and coaches, as well as what was expected of them, regarding their interactions with the fans. There was a directive from Major League Baseball that strongly encouraged them to positively interact with the fans during practice sessions and breaks during the games. What stands out to me is one particular year, a highly touted prospect was expected to make it to the major leagues that year. He had only played about two years of minor league baseball, which was rare for a player of his age. He had ver y little trouble playing at a high level against some of the toughest competition in the minor leagues and was expected to do ver y well against major league players. And during this spring training he had played very well. My issue with him was his interaction with the fans, or his lack of interaction with the fans. He would ignore fans and kids when they would ask for an autograph or to take a picture.

On several occasions, people would loudly remark about how rude he was, and he would react even more loudly and rudely. The only exception to this was the day a national sports reporter with several cameras came to Kissimmee to interview him. The day he was interviewed, he graciously smiled, signed many autographs and posed for pictures. This seemed like it came very naturally to him. But, the next day when the cameras were gone, it was back to the same old routine of ignoring the fans.

I remember how disappointed and somewhat angry this made me. It is something I still think about when I go to baseball games now. What I don’t like to remember or think about is the times when I have been just as guilty as this young baseball player. I would like to think I am more mature, responsible and able to handle myself better than this young man did. This may all be true, but there are times when I have a ‘do as I say, not as I do,’ mindset. Just ask my kids, they seem to remember each incident. Most of the time it has to do with me telling them to listen to others and not to talk negatively about other people. They were quick to point out my double standard and I was unable to defend my actions against their actions. I don’t know why this happens, other than we are more concerned about our appearance to other people. We want others to think we are opposed to behavior that is not appropriate, even if it is something that we are involved with.

What really bothers me about my own hypocritical issues is that the only people Jesus was ever critical of were the Pharisees, the religious leaders and heads of the temple

at the time. These men would very often say their prayers in public, wear ornaments on their robes which indicated their status within the temple and boast of their own accomplishments. Jesus publicly called them out for their obvious hypocrisy I’m sure there was hypocrisy in many of the same arenas during Jesus’ time, much like today, but the fact that this took place within the church really did not sit well with him. I’m very glad I am not called out in public for my own examples of hypocrisy, but I can hear Jesus’ voice saying, “Rick, you areexhibiting the same type of behavior as the Pharisees.”

As leaders, we must remember that what our people see makes a much stronger impact than what we say. It doesn’t take much for me to realize my actions do not always line up with my behavior. I am not where I need to be, but I am hopefully doing better in aligning my words and actions. I have never been a good actor in hiding true thoughts. I think the guys I used to play poker with would agree with that statement.

Rick Spence retired as Assistant Chief from the Reedy Creek Fire Department after 30 years. Heis currently the Chaplain for the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association, Central Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association, Reedy Creek Fire Department, Lake County Fire Department, Clermont Fire Department, Maitland Fire Department, and the Florida Professional Firefighters. He serves as Sergeant of Arms for the Florida Professional Firefighters and International Association of Firefighters.He was selected Florida Professional Firefighter of the Year in 2018.He has been married to his wife Alecia for 36 years.

Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association 2023 Annual Memorial Service

The FFCA will be honoring all Five-Bugle Fire Chiefs and FFCA members who have passed away within the past year. The annual memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 16, during 2023 Executive Development Conference (EDC) being held at Naples Grande Beach Resort, 475 Seagate Drive in Naples.

If you are aware of a Five-Bugle Fire Chief, or a member of the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association who has passed away since July 1, 2022, please contact the

ReturnofEVTTraining

FFCA office at info@ffca.org or by calling 850-900-5180. The deadline to submit names has been extended to May 15, 2023.

The following is the current list of Five Bugle Fire Chiefs and members who have passed away:

Regi Burkett, Fire Chief-Ret, Centur y Station, Escambia County Fire Rescue

Edwin Castro, Fire Chief-Ret, Key West

Lloyd Fleming, Fire Chief-Ret, Pensacola Fire Department

Thepastfewyears havebeenunprecedently challenging for all of us, and unfortunately none of our programs su eredasmuchofa hiatus as our EmergencyVehicleTechnician (EVT)trainingprogram.Evenwithrestrictions lifted,wefoundobtainingspaceandinstructorstobeevenmore di cult than before.However,wearehappytoannouncethatthe EVTSectionoftheFloridaFireChiefs’Associationhasbeenhard atworktogetthisprogrambackupandrunning,recognizingthe critical need for this training.Weplantobeginwithregionalclasses –one in May,andadditionalinthefall.Wehopetobeabletoo er additional classes in conjunction with the Florida FireConference in Orlando, FL from January 8-12, 2024 allowing EVT’stovisit the tradeshow and see the emergency vehicles and parts they so diligently study, train and work on straight from the manufacturers.

David Halstead, Director - Ret, Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM)

James McConnell, Fire Chief-Ret, Seminole Fire Rescue

Dennis Merrifield, Fire Chief-Ret

Willie Morgan, Fire Chief-Ret, Groveland

Wayne Watts, Fire Chief-Ret, Panama City Fire Department

Michael Wright, Fire Chief-Ret, Niceville

WearecommittedtobringingbackEVT trainingandenhanceboththeo ering as well as the experience.Staytunedand visit our webisteformoreinformationasit becomes available.RegistrationfortheMay class is currentlyopen–seebelowfordetails!

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LEADING From Any Rank

By William “Trip” Barrs, EFO, CFO

From firefighter to fire chief, we all have a responsibility to be the best (fill in the blank) until we are ready to transition into the next challenge in our career. For the probationary firefighter just finishing their rookie training, this means having the cleanest, most highly polished restrooms and kitchen any firehouse has ever seen! In addition, there are the basic competencies and routines that you will need to become proficient in and then completely master…more on this later.

For the company officer and aspiring company officer, your responsibility is to demonstrate to the aforementioned probies, and the rest of your crew, what it means to be a professional firefighter or officer. The traits that you exhibit daily will not only be a big part of your legacy when you advance in rank or retire; they will set the standards that you can expect from those that you lead. Looking back on my career, I feel that the time spent as a company officer was where I had the most influence on making the department better than I found it.

Being a leader in the station and on the streets means having a well-developed sense of what to do in almost any situation. This ability comes easier to some than to others but can be developed by all with the right mix of education, training and experience. For the company officer, this means a foundation of coursework that teaches basic leadership, scene management, and supervisory skills with the opportunity to practice those skills under the watchful eye of a more seasoned officer This may take the form of mentoring after promotion or on-the-job-training while functioning as an acting officer. Regardless, you should be seeking out opportunities to learn something new each shift and being curious about things that you think that you understand but are not yet an expert at. This curiosity can lead you to learning about areas of our profession that you may not otherwise have been interested in, had you only attained the minimum required training for your position.

Finally, never stop bettering yourself and those you are privileged to lead. The fire service needs lieutenants and captains who have spent their entire careers becoming the best company or station officer that they can be. Promotion into chief ranks is not for everyone and should not be the only marker of a successful career. I have great respect for the 25-year company officer who has mentored countless younger firefighters and fellow officers, making a difference in the quality of both the current and future professionalism of the fire service. Think of how many future leaders a great company officer with the right mindset and willingness to pass on their skillsets can positively impact.

For those who would like to one day become a chief officer or the fire chief…. Don’t rush. There is value in touching every rank in the promotional ladder just as you should touch every rung when climbing an actual ladder. When making the leap from company officer to chief officer, spend time developing yourself and preparing for the most difficult professional transition that you are ever likely to experience. This should take the form of college level coursework in basic management practices as well as leadership training. If there is any confusion about the difference between managing and leading, clarify that and then attain at least a basic proficiency in both before moving forward.

You can manage a fire or an operational budget, but you can’t lead either. Nor should you attempt to manage personnel, they want leadership. Your crossed bugles may get them to do what you say, but real leadership is setting the example and convincing others that you can be trusted. Do these and they will follow you as long as you lead with integrity and respect for those you lead. There are some great programs available that can help develop these skills:

•National Fire Academy - Executive Fire Officer and Managing Officer programs

•Emergency Services Leadership Institute

•Fire Service Executive Development Institute

•Bureau of Fire Standards and TrainingFire Officer I-IV

More information about these programs is available at www.ffca.org/executive-leadership-development-section

And again, stay curious about leadership and always continue to seek out the training and experiences that may seem just a bit uncomfortable. This is where you grow and gain experience as a chief officer, being responsible for multiple crews or a whole shift and making the difficult decisions that stretch your abilities. As a chief officer, you will be required to make decisions that are not easily addressed in policy and require the application of all of your experience and professional judgement. Many times, you will be presented with no good alternatives and you will need to make a choice with no time to think, phone a friend, or do any research. Operating in these grey areas is what you need to prepare for and continually improve at if you want to be a successful chief officer. This skillset cannot be taught in any classroom but comes from practical experience and continuous self-reflection. The good news is that there are plenty of seasoned leaders who understand that mentoring and passing on their hard-won knowledge is part of being a great leader. Seek those people out, at whatever rank you hold or aspire to hold.

“Always be prepared for the next promotion before the testing or interview process is announced!” This sound advice was given to me as a young firefighter by one of the best leaders I have ever worked for or with since, and no, this person was not a chief officer and never desired a second bugle. If you are going to wait until a promotional opportunity is announced to start preparing, you are going to be way behind the curve and are truly missing the point. As professionals at ever y rank, volunteer or paid, new or seasoned, we should be learning all we can in ever y position we hold and then doing that extra bit of preparation to be ready for whatever the next challenge is.

As for the basic competencies that the probie was challenged to master earlier, being all in at this early stage of your firefighting career builds muscle memory for the hard work ahead. Becoming a trusted expert at whatever rank you hold means dedicating the same effort and commitment to learning right up until the day you retire. Start this behavior on your first day on shift and you get to spend the next 25 years setting the bar just a bit higher, improving our profession. You can bet that even though it appears that the probie is being ignored by the senior firefighters, they are watching and comparing your effort to the other shift’s probies. Take this opportunity to demonstrate your dedication to the job and to your coworkers, you’ll be glad you did, and it will make you a better (fill in the blank)!

Chief Barrs has an associate degree in emergency medicine, a bachelor of arts in organizational studies and a master’s in public leadership. In 2013 he received his Executive Fire Officer and Chief Fire Officer designations.He is active in the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association and is currently the Fire Chief for the City of Treasure Island.

High-Tech, Life-Saving Equipment at Oviedo Fire Rescue

By Lisa McDonald, Communications Manager, City of Oviedo

On March 8, the Oviedo Fire Department demonstrated their new, high-tech Ambu King Vision Laryngoscopes and Lucas CPR devices for the media.

The King Vision scopes are reusable devices that help firefighters and paramedics intubate a patient immediately, at the scene of a medical or traumatic injury, or prehospital care. The scopes were designed to reduce soft tissue damage when dealing with difficult intubation.

The scopes were purchased in November 2022 by the department as part of medical supply needs in the budget, and firefighters from each shift had a three-day training period, practicing on medical mannequins and watching a training video supplied by the company.

“It is the mission of the Oviedo Fire Department to leverage the latest technology to provide the highest quality care for our residents,” said Oviedo Fire Chief Michael Woodward. “These video laryngoscopes are a valuable tool for our firefighter/paramedics that aid in increasing onscene successful intubations, contributing to increased survivability for our patients.”

The scopes are battery-operated and have advanced imaging technology, ergonomic design, and an anti-glare screen that can be used

in any situation a firefighter/paramedic may face. The lar yngoscopes come with a pediatric video adapter with an LED light source and a camera at the tip of the scope.

Along with the new scopes, Firefighters demonstrated Lucas Devices, which were purchased in 2021. The Lucas Device is a chest compression system that fits adult cardiac patients and is not restricted by weight. The Lucas Device is an automatic chest compression machine that can be manually placed over the patient for precise chest compressions and CPR.

The Lucas devices were purchased as part of an EMS matching grant and have been used 23 times in the field since they went into service. The device provides a critical service for the department during lifesaving situations.

Carcinogens, Biohazards, and Chemicals, Oh My! Dirty Turnout Gear in Public Places

We’d be hard-pressed to find a firefighter who doesn’t think they look cool in their turnout gear. Members of the public love to see their firefighters and nothing makes you stand out in a crowd more than your gear. Unfortunately, that very gear might be exposing you — and the public you’re sworn to protect — to a multitude of substances known to have lasting negative impacts on the human body.

Your turnout gear is designed to protect you from most of the hazards of firefighting. It does that by providing barriers between you and the environment. Since most fire departments operate under the “all-hazard” approach, you probably find yourself wearing your turnout gear at fires, hazardous materials incidents, motor vehicle accidents, and maybe even some EMS calls. This results in the gear absorbing any number of compounds including chemicals, biohazards, and carcinogens.

As a fire service, we’ve become much better at working to clean many contaminates

By Jon Dorman with www.Lexipol.com

from dirty turnout gear. But we’re not scoring 100%. Many departments don’t have the facilities or the budget to provide their members with gear that is properly cleaned after each use. That means those substances are loitering on your dirty gear, just waiting for a new place to call home.

Limiting Firefighter Exposure

So, what can be done to reduce the exposure for both our members and the public? The easiest answer is for personnel to get out of their gear as soon as practical following a call. If possible, dirty gear can go through a gross decon at the scene and get bagged for transport back to the station. If that isn’tan option, the personnel gear and rig should head back to the station immediately following the call so everything can get thoroughly cleaned. Notice my choice of words. Everyone and everything should go back to the station. This isn’t the time to stop at the grocer y store or a fast-food restaurant. Why no stops on the way back to the station? If personnel are still in their gear,it

means they are going to be exposed to any contaminants (including the ones that are supposed to be in your bunker gear) for longer than is necessary. As a fire service, we are just learning about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are known carcinogens, being impregnated into the very turnout gear that is intended to protect us. It’s critical to reduce the amount of time personnel spend in their gear to decrease their PFAS exposure as much as possible.

Limiting Exposure to the Public

Then, we have the public to consider. Wearing dirty turnout gear into that grocery store or fast-food restaurant means members are exposing the public to those harmful substances. Not only are personnel likely to track in visible contamination on their boots, pants, and coats; they will also be emitting any number of harmful compounds that are not readily seen.

When you leave sooty footprints, sheetrock dust, and bits of insulation in your wake as you

stroll down the produce aisle, do you think about the person who’s going to have to clean up after you? To the public, a firefighter in dirty turnout gear is an up-close and personal mini-hazmat incident. Chances are the worker who gets assigned to clean up the mess you left isn’t even going to understand their exposure potential. They don’t know that everything you’re wearing spent the last few hours absorbing all sorts of harmful contaminants. Thekid with the broom, dust pan, and mop is going to have no idea that they’re sweeping up material that is known to cause cancer, and more than likely won’t have the benefit of any kind of mask or even gloves.

The children in the young family standing behind you in the checkout line are probably in awe of the firefighter waiting to pay for groceries. To those kids, you are the epitome of a hero — larger than life — and you’re standing right in front of them. After the kids leave the store, they may start to complain of a headache and a scratchy throat. The parents won’t think too much of it. After all, kids are always picking up a bug here or there. But what if it isn’t a bug? What if their symptoms are caused by something that was off-gassing from your gear? The big hero firefighter may have just exposed those kids to something that can cause short-term symptoms and possibly lead to long-term medical issues.

Changing Our Mindset

To be honest, I grew up in the “dirty” fire service. We didn’t have gear washers at ever y station and we only had one set off turnout gear per person. We often went to the store on the way back from a call, leaving a path of stink and soot. But 25 to 30 years ago, the fire service looked at health and wellness in a completely different light. In those days, we were more worried about bloodborne pathogens than long-term health risks.

Early in my career, I was taught to avoid putting on medic gloves until we were on the scene. Why is that? Well, it comes down to muscle memory. You didn’t touch a patient without gloves on, but you also didn’t touch anything in the rig with your gloves on. Likewise, when a medical call is over, you take off your gloves, dispose of them properly, and get a new set for the next call. The whole point was to avoid cross-contamination.

We need to consider wearing turnout gear in the same way After all, you’re not going to walk into a store without first taking off your bloody gloves and disinfecting your hands. Why would you do the same in your dirty turnout gear?

Looking cool is fun, but the coolest thing you can do for yourself and the public is to

avoid unnecessary exposure to the carcinogens, biohazards, and chemicals that are always lurking in your dirty turnout gear. The chemicals in firefighter PPE help to protect the physical safety of firefighters — but are also known carcinogens. Turnout gear can also absorb contaminants from a fire scene, turning you into a walking hazmat incident. Public safety workers have an obligation to keep everyone safe by limiting exposure to the hazardous chemicals they carry in and on their gear. “After all,” Dorman says, “you’re not going to walk into a store without first taking off your bloody gloves and disinfecting your hands. Why would you do the same in your dirty turnout gear?”

Jon Dorman is the director of Fire Content with Lexipol. He has more than 25 years in the fire service in both combination and career departments, retiring as the assistant chief of operations and deputy emergency manager. Dorman also has more than a decade of experience teaching in the Fire Science and Emergency Management program at Purdue University Global (formerly Kaplan University). He has a bachelor’s degree in fire protection science from SUNY Empire State College, a master’s degree in employment law from Nova Southeastern University, and a master’s degree in homeland security and emergency management from Kaplan University. Dorman can be reached at jdorman@lexipol.com.

Answering the Call and Sounding the Alarm

By Deborah C. Beidel, Ph.D., ABPP, Director, UCF RESTORES, University of Central Florida and Dustin Hawkins, Lieutenant, Indian River County Fire Rescue

Firefighters commit one-third of their lives to other people’s emergencies. Responding to a lifetime of rescues, medical calls, and fires can ignite visceral memories, behaviors, and nightmares that leave scars within the first responder’s hearts, minds, bodies, and souls. Sadly, the names on memorial walls of our fallen have continued to grow, and even the finest equipment cannot fully protect firefighters from the ruthless effects of cancer and the painful psychological impacts of this career.

Occupational hazards such as physical exhaustion, smoke, heat exposure, and sleep

restriction can “prime” firefighters and make them vulnerable to the potential psychological impacts of their work.1 Exposure to these hazards produce biochemical changes within the body, creating a heightened (and chronic) state of hormonal stress. This chronic state of stress makes firefighters more vulnerable to the development of PTSD, depression, and even suicide, when acute and catastrophic traumatic events occur. Rightfully, programs have been developed to prevent physical injuries and disease. A similar effort is needed to prevent, or at least lessen, the occupational hazard of psychological stress injuries. Here

we present the framework for one mitigation approach, used in the aftermath of the Champlain Towers South condominium collapse.

The condominium collapse in Surfside, Florida resulted in the third highest death toll in US history (excluding terrorist attacks). One hundred thirty-six people were in the building when it collapsed – 98 people perished and all 98 were recovered. Recovery efforts were carried out by State of Florida USAR teams, many of whom had never participated in an operation of this scope. Teams worked 12 hour shifts for several weeks, operating in extreme heat, humidity, daily thunderstorms, and physical danger. Given the enormous challenges of the rescue, the Florida Fire Marshall office’s under the leadership of Julius Halas, deployed personnel to the disaster site to provide mental wellness support to the rescue teams. The goal of the initiative, which was supported through the efforts of the Florida Firefighter Safety and Health Collaborative, was to provide active support at the site and plan for the months that followed. The first direct action provided psychological support to the USAR teams working through the debris pile. These efforts consisted of both printed and human resources. Printed literature was distributed at meeting areas and food tents, including palm cards with QR codes and links to state-wide mental health resources. Human resources included canine handlers and their dogs, chaplains, peer support personnel, and mental health professionals, available to rescuers when requested or when there was a perceived need. Dogs and handlers moved throughout the site, interacting with all rescue personnel. Peer support specialists and chaplains provided the first line of psychological support, with mental health clinicians as back-

up, when a higher level of care was needed. Additionally, at the time of demobilization, teams received a psychoeducational debriefing about the potential effects of trauma, trauma symptoms that might occur, and a reminder to look out for each other.

Post-deployment, USAR team leaders were encouraged to organize a low-key social event, about two weeks following their return home, to allow team members to re-connect, destress, and socialize, if desired. Peer support was available, if team members wanted to engage. A second strategy was to provide each task force leader a list of vetted, culturally competent therapists, available to task force members who might request treatment. All clinicians on the list had completed a two day course in firefighter culture and customs, and at least 10 hours of ride-along time with a fire department. Vetting clinicians made it easier for task force members in need to quickly find appropriate care.

In the past, the fire service focused on mechanically managing a scene and letting logic dominate emotion. More recently, there has been a pivotal shift, acknowledging the skyrocketing death toll from suicide and addiction. Reaching out to partner with academia, fire service leadership created historic change and embraced strategies to protect firefighters from the long-term effects of chronic exposure to trauma. The deployment of on-site mental wellness assets

exemplifies recognition of the toll that catastrophic and traumatic events may exert upon the firefighters who respond to the rescue call. However, reactions to trauma do not always occur immediately but may emerge only months later. Therefore, the final piece of the mental wellness plan was a postdeployment monthly survey conducted in collaboration with an academic institution (University of Central Florida) to assess potential emotional distress in the months following the condominium collapse, starting in September 2021. Forty-two USAR team members completed the monthly survey but after three months, the response rate dropped and the project was discontinued.2

Among those who responded, none knew anyone who lived or perished in the collapse. As a group, task force members reported low levels of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and sleep problems in the months following their deployment. However, when examined further, respondents who recovered human remains reported anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms that were twice as high as respondents who did not recover human remains. Furthermore, 53% of the group that recovered human remains reported symptoms so severe that their scores were the same as people diagnosed with PTSD, generalized anxiety, or depression.

These results should be a neon calling card to the first responders on the front lines. The

men and women of the fire service are resilient and always respond to life’s most tragic moments. This survey provides palpable evidence of the impacts that direct contact with human remains and immersion in inexplicable loss can have on firefighters. As the fire service transitions from stifled silence to communication and science, surveys such as this one can uncover patterns of exposure to trauma that cause fractures in firefighters’ lives and offer an opportunity to find hope. The insights from this study provide clarity and detail, shining a light never before seen –providing data that move the needle away from anecdotal stories toward the path of industry-changing metrics. Finally, to the first responders peering into the academic side of this article, we hope the findings shine the light of hope that normalizes where you are in your path toward healing.

1 Walker et al. (2016). Chronic occupational exposures can influence the rate of PTSD and depressive disorders in first responders and military personnel. Extreme Physiology and Medicine, 5:8 DOI:10.1186/s13728-016-0049-x

2 Beidel, D.C., Rozek, D.C., Bowers, C.A., Newins, A.R. & Steigerwald, V.L. (2022). After the fall: Responding to the Champlain Towers building collapse. Front. Public Health 10:1104534 doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1104534

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Responds to Industrial Fire

By Nicolas Morgado, Division Chief Training Division, Planning Section Chief, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue

On Sunday, February 12, 2023, around 2 p.m., Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to a significant fire at a waste-toenergy plant in Doral, Florida. On arrival, crews found heavy fire and smokey conditions from a deep-seated fire in one of the storage buildings. Ultimately this fire escalated to a fourthalarm with over 200 firefighters and over 70 units responding and saw the establishment of an Incident Management Team (IMT) to halt the fire’s

progression. With the bulk of the fire extinguished, the realization that this incident would span multiple operational periods to bring it under control as the fire was still burning with no access to it, buried beneath debris and a collapsed building. Coupled with air quality concerns, the multitude of entities involved, and political sensitivity, the IMT was maintained to manage the ongoing operations of debris removal and fire extinguishment. The incident was placed under control on March 2, 2023, 19 days after the incident occurred.

Photos by Rick Stephens

HCFR Members Complete HAZMAT Training

By Karen Clogston, Public Information Assistant, Highlands County Board of County Commissioners

On March, 12, Highlands County Fire Rescue members completed a 160-hour Hazardous Materials Technician Course.

The course detailed the planning, response, and mitigation of hazardous materials incidents. This class was customized to pay special attention to hazardous materials currently being manufactured and transported in our local community

Students were educated on equipment, chemicals, processes, and hazards associated with responding to hazmat incidents. The information contained in the lecture, presentation, and hands-on practicals was gained from first-hand, real-time knowledge encountered during the response to hazmat incidents.

Congratulations to the following HCFR

members for completed strenuous course: FF/EMT Seth Anthony, FF/EMT Jack Arseneau, FF/PM Brody Carr, FF/EMT Jared Chaput, Battalion Chief Daniel Ciorrocco, FF/PM Caylyn Gonzalez, FF/PM Alex Hernandez, FF/PM Jason Hobbs, FF/EMT Rafael Ramos, FF/PM Brad Roberts, FF/PM Br yan Sands, and FF/EMT Milton Vargas.

Highlands County has 78 facilities that utilize hazardous chemicals in their businesses or processes, with almost two dozen of them containing extremely hazardous substances (EHS) chemicals. In addition to the year-round businesses, hazardous materials pass through the county on daily basis via road and rail.

This hazardous materials training prepares HCFR members to properly mitigate leaks and spills cutting down the impact to public safety and the environment. All members of HCFR’s special operations team have completed this 160-hour training and are certified hazardous materials technicians, certified through the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training.

Polk County Fire Rescue Continues to Exceed EMS Training Excellence

By Katelyn Hoverkamp, Public Information Officer, Polk County Fire Rescue

In March 2023, Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) personnel completed their Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Medication Administration In-Service Training. The inservice training provided staff with a comprehensive understanding of medication administration techniques used by EMS professionals and an in-depth review for all medications being utilized by PCFR.

Last year, Polk County Fire Rescue responded to about 122,000 calls for service throughout the county. Of those, 100,000 calls were EMS calls, which resulted in more than 80,000 patient transports. Under the medical

direction of Dr. Paul Banerjee, D.O, the system provides 21st-century cutting-edge advanced medical services delivery across Polk’s 2,200 square miles with nearly 50 ALS ambulances.

Polk County Fire Rescue Chief Hezedean A. Smith, D.M. emphasized the importance of providing an encouraging educational environment with state-of-the-art lifesaving equipment for members to train and focus on their EMS skills. “Our members are always prepared to administer the highest level of emergency medical care for our customers,” he stated, “and we are proud of the hard work they do every day in the field.”

East Lake Participates in RIT Training

Throughout the month of February, firefighters from East Lake Fire Rescue attended the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) training at the North Pinellas County training facility.

Teams of firefighters practiced entering structures with varied access points, locating downed firefighters,

and communicating with incident command and other teams.

Teams worked together to coordinate the various aspects of rescue from obtaining the correct tools to debris removal and patient care. The goal of this training was to refine the firefighters’ skills in rapid intervention.

How to Manage Investments During

As fire service professionals, you're no strangers to challenging situations. But managing investments during market volatility can be equally nerve-wracking. Keep in mind, that fluctuation is part and parcel of investing. Here's how you can stay on top of your investments even when the market gets bumpy.

Keep Calm and Carry On

Resist the temptation to panic-sell during downturns. Markets tend to recover, and

selling low locks in losses while preventing you from benefiting from potential rebounds. With a long-term investment horizon, you can afford to ride out shortterm fluctuations.

Beware the "Recency Effect"

Our decision-making is often influenced by recent events, even when an objective approach is called for. Don't let recent market trends cloud your judgment; stick to your investment strategy.

Stay Diversified and Rebalance

Diversification across asset classes (equities, fixed income, cash) can help manage risk by spreading investments across different sectors. While diversification doesn't guarantee against loss, it can soften the blow from market downturns. Regular portfolio rebalancing ensures alignment with your goals and desired asset allocation. Managing investments not your forte? Consider interviewing active portfolio managers. Their job is to handle the movement in your portfolio so you can focus on other important aspects of your life, while they focus on potentially capturing the upsides of the market while minimizing the downside.

Embrace Dollar-Cost Averaging

Investing fixed amounts periodically can help lower the average cost of your investments, as you'll buy more shares when prices are low and fewer when they're high. This strategy can be particularly useful for those retiring with DROP or 175 Funds, as it can help minimize short-term losses.

Get a Written Plan in Place

Investing with a purpose is key. Collaborate with a wealth manager to create a written investment and retirement plan that outlines strategies for navigating market downturns, managing risk, and minimizing taxes over time.

Weathering market volatility is about staying focused on long-term goals and employing smart strategies. By keeping calm, diversifying, rebalancing, embracing dollar-cost averaging, and working with a wealth manager, you can strive towards securing your investments and sailing toward a bright financial future.

Daniel Rey, CEO and Wealth Manager at Voyage Retirement Solutions, is committed to providing customized financial solutions for fire service members and their families. With a passion for helping others and a deep understanding of the financial landscape, Daniel created the Retirement Navigator. The Retirement Navigator is a disciplined and written plan that is proprietary to Voyage for the benefit of the people they serve. Daniel leads his team with integrity and a dedication to putting clients first. If you're interested in meeting with Daniel to discuss your financial future, you can contact him at 888-501-3063 or Hello@VoyageRetirement.com. Also, ask us about free educational workshops for your fire department.

Securities and Advisory Ser vices offered through GWN Securities, Inc. a Registered Investment Advisor. 11440 N Jog Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 561-472-2700

Member FINRA, SIPC. Voyage Retirement Solutions and GWN Securities, Inc. are not affiliated.

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Navarre Beach Fire Rescue Hosts Push-in Ceremony

By Danny Fureigh, Fire Chief, Navarre Beach Fire Rescue

OnMarch 25 Navarre Beach Fire Rescue hosted a “push-in” ceremony for our new 2023 Pierce Saber fire engine. This new engine holds 1,000 gallons of water,has a 1500 GPM pump, over 3,000 feet of hose and comes equipped with a HAAS unit that alerts commuters using Google maps, Waze and other navigation apps of our units responding. Members of our community showed up in full force as we wet the engine down from our ladder truck and our neighbors Holley Navarre Fire districts new

Sutphen truck for good luck. The engine was dried using custom made towels, then pushed into the bay at Fire station 49. The engine was then dedicated to our lost brother Captain Gar y Diamond who was killed defending his family on December 26,2020. Gary’s wife Cindy attached the memorial plaque inside the cab so he can watch over our crews. This engine was funded 94% by a 1/2 cent Local Option Sales Tax. Every fire department in Santa Rosa County will receive $100,000 annually for five years for new equipment.

Titusville Fire Participates in F2IRE Cohort Study

By Gregory G. Sutton, Battalion Chief of Administration

Recently, TFD was fortunate enough to be randomly selected to participate in cancer and health screening provided by the FCI. The Firefighter Cancer Initiative (FCI) was launched in 2015 through a state of Florida appropriation. The primary goals of FCI are to better document and understand the excess burden of cancer among Florida firefighters and identify novel, evidence-based methods for reducing risk. The initiative, led byamultidisciplinary team of scientists, healthcare practitioners, and occupational health and safety experts, uses community-engaged approaches to ensure that firefighters’ voices and occupational experiences are reflected throughout all aspects of program planning and implementation.

Since its launch, scientists have worked closely with firefighters on the development and implementation of various projects, including the annual cancer survey, educational and survivorship curriculums, and environmental sampling program, among others. These projects lead to tangible changes in fire service and can result in the reduction and prevention of cancer within the firefighter community. The initiative now includes departments from across the state of Florida and seeks to expand its reach to ensure representation from a diverse set of departments, regions, and firefighters. Together, FCI and its partners are making fire service safer.We are thankful to have had the opportunity to participate in this important study

Seminole County Supports Gunner Martin Foundation

By Doreen Overstreet, APR, Public Safety Information & Education Officer

The Seminole County Fire Department’s Rookie Firefighter Chris Martin and his wife Christina recently spoke at the Altamonte Rotary Club about drowning prevention. Seven years ago, the couple lost their two-year-old son Gunner in a backyard pool drowning. The couple shared their story and Chris spoke how this experience motivated him to become a firefighter. He previously was a University of Central Florida star football player who was drafted by various teams in the NFL. The Martins shared information with the Club about barriers in place that are needed to help prevent drownings. Last year there were six pediatric drownings in Seminole County and three so far this year The family founded the Gunner Martin Foundation to help fund swim scholarships and educate the public. More information at www.thegunnermartinfoundation.com. The Seminole County Fire Department will be partnering to distribute free pool alarms to the public as well.

Pictured L-R: Seminole County Fire Chief Matt Kinley, Firefighter Chris Martin and wife Christina Martin speaking at the Altamonte Rotary Club

Flagler County Awards Ceremony

By Lacy Martin, Digital Media and Events Coordinator

In March, Flagler County Fire Rescue honored its 2022 Fire Rescue award recipients. Individuals were nominated by their peers. Once nominations were collected, our engagement committee selected the winners based on the severity of the call and how crews and individuals handled each situation. We are proud of these individuals for the exemplary care and dedication they showcase day in and day out.

Unit Commendaation: Reuben Zuazua, Dennis Moore, Kristopher Kendra, Andre Tichonoff, Christopher Gonzalez (2), Dylan Pontorno (2), Beau Kruithoff, Michael Pius, Matthew Morgan, Seth Cunningham, Jarrod Lanza, Dominick Senatro, Ronald Titus, Jonathan Kaye (2), Dylan Cronk, Adrian Brands, Jason Forte, Adam Holyko, John Keppler, Matthew Desantis, Joshua Smith, Jesus “Frank” Mesta, Clay Merritt, Sean Walker, Zach Schroeder, Jared Parkey, Kyle Najpaver, James Melady,Cory Sattar, John Krall, Lenny Ensalaco, Barry Brady, Taylor White, Roberto Zerbino, Emmanuel Rivera, Nathaniel Edwards

Life Saving Awaard: Matthew Morgan, Seth Cunningham, Jarrod Lanza, Dominick Senatro, Dylan Cronk, Adrian Brands, Andrew Hardesty, John Raffo, Ryan Bowling, Justin Stone, Kyle Oberst

Employee Excellence Commendaation: : Tyler Allesee, Adrian Brands, Breonna Banks, Thomas Cope, David Lawrence, Manuel Matute, Beau Kruithoff, Jon Moscowitz

Mentorship Award: Dylan Pontorno, Armando Castaneda, Andrew Shook, Cory Bauman, Jason Forte, John Keppler, Jason Powell

Award of Exemplary Dedication: Lt. Kyle Lockwood

Firefighter of the Year:

FF/PM Andy Thomas

Paramedic of the Year:

FF/PM Kyle Najpaver

Company Officer of the Year: Lt. Jason Forte

Chief Officer of the Year: Chief Jimmy Shaw

Employee of the Year: Lt. Jon Moscowitz

Ceremony Marks Growth in Titusville Fire Department

By Gregory G. Sutton, Battalion Chief of Administration

On Friday, April 14, Titusville Fire Department held one of our largest promotional and new hire pinning ceremonies in our 110-year history. This ceremony was the culmination of the hiring of 16 firefighters that has taken place over the last six months, the hiring of a fire inspector and promotion of another, as well as the promotion of five firefighters to the rank of driver operator. We are excited as we continue to expand our family to meet the ever-changing needs of our growing community. Thank you to all that attended and shared in this exciting time with us. We would like to extend a special thank you to Path Apostolic Church for welcoming us into their wonderful facility. Their generosity and kindness allowed us a space to accommodate comfortably all those in attendance. Thank you to our city manager, mayor, and council members that continue to support our mission. To the family and friends of new hires: know that your loved ones are in great hands and will serve our community well. Finally, to you, the citizens of Titusville, we are grateful for the opportunity to serve and for the trust you have placed in us. We do not take your support for granted. Stay tuned for more excitement as we look forward to the opening of our fifth fire station sometime later this year.

Cedar Hammock Fire Chief Earns Ph.D.

By Eric Center, Deputy Chief

Fire Chief Kyle Bradshaw was conferred a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy and Administration with an emphasis in Criminal Justice from Walden University. Dr. Bradshaw completed a qualitative study to identify the targeted behaviors that influence public fire investigators when conducting fire scene investigation. The intent of this study was to identify behavioral interventions that may be implemented to aid public fire investigators in their approach to fire scene investigation. By targeting these identified behaviors, policy writers and implementers can identify and develop new policy inter ventions.

Dr. Bradshaw has more than 35 years in public service and serves as the Fire Chief for Cedar Hammock Fire Control District. He has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Homeland Security and Public Safety and a Master’s Degree in Executive Fire Service Leadership. Additionally, he has earned his “Chief Fire Officer” (CFO) designation from the Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC), Certified District Manager (CDM) designation from the Florida Association of Special Districts (FASD), and Certified Labor Relations Professional from the Florida Public Employer Relations Association (FPELRA).

South Walton Celebrates Promoted Firefighters

By: Mackenzie McClintock, Public Information Officer

Eight firefighters were promoted to new officer positions on April 10 at the South Walton Fire District. On behalf of SWFD, we want to congratulate the following individuals on their promotions: Sergeants Drew Masat, Travis Spencer, and Chris Moyer; Lieutenants Steve Smith, Mike Serpas, and Shawn Hutchins; and Battalion Chiefs Phillip Block and Nate Brown.

Each of these men has displayed the determination and growth necessary through the promotional testing and evaluation process to take the next step in their fire service careers. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and look forward to the way they will continue to protect and serve in South Walton. Congratulations, gentlemen!

Orange County Upgrades SCBA Equipment

By Ashley Gipson, Public Information Officer

Orange County Fire Rescue Department recently purchased 600 new firefighter Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) equipment, upgrading from NFPA2013 to NFPA2018 and enhancing SCBA design and per formance. Key components of the NFPA2018 model include upgrading to a universal emergency breathing safety system, which has been standardized for interoperability,enabling a firefighter to share air as well as modifications to the pneumatic data logging requirements.

“Upgrading to this new technology allows our firefighters to work more safely, efficiently and effectively,” says Jeffrey Canupp, the department’s Shop Forman, who oversees the maintenance of all SCBA equipment.

The new SCBA is scheduled for

distribution June 2023. 1,200 firefighters are currently training with the new breathing apparatus through a department-wide Multi-Company Drill. The purchase of the replacement air packs neared $5 million.

Dixie County Fire Rescue Promotes Autism Awareness

In support for Autism Awareness, Dixie County Fire Rescue showed its support by designing and wearing custom made shirts for the entire month of April.

In 2023, the CDC reported that approximately 1in 36 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to 2020 data.

Dixie County Fire Rescue was proud to advocate for autism awareness and we urge all agencies to remember that “Autism Speaks”.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue’s Prevention Division

By Public Relations Team

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue’s Prevention Division was privileged to visit an extraordinary young man. In May of last year, young Owen helped alert his family to a fire in their house before being rescued himself. Our Fire Marshal, Deputy Fire Marshal, and members of our Public Education team met Owen and his mom in their new house.

We educated Owen and his mom about fire safety in the home, evacuation routes, and cooking safety and installed smoke detectors in their bedrooms. Owen was even presented with some cool HCFR swag, including an authentic fire helmet!

Students Learn CPR in Seminole County

By Doreen Overstreet, APR, Public Safety Information & Education Officer

Personnel from the Seminole County Fire Department recently taught more hands-only CPR and AED use to more than 1,000 ninth and eleveth grade students at Winter Springs High School.

Florida House Bill 157 (2021 Legislative) requires school districts to provide basic training in first aid, including CPR for students in ninthand elevethgrades. Seminole County Firefighters/Paramedics and the Community Outreach Team trained the students. The students rotated through classes throughout the day and watched a CPR video and then conducted hands-only CPR Training.

“For our students who are learning hands-only CPR from the Seminole County Fire Department, it might just save a life,” said Winter Springs High School Principal Peter Gaffney “And if just one life is saved it makes it all worth it.”

The Seminole County Fire Department plans to conduct additional outreach to other Seminole County Public High Schools soon.

Titusville Fire Department Hosts Leadership Training

By Gregory G. Sutton, Battalion Chief of Administration

Members of our department attended a 2-day leadership class presented by Matthew Smith of Grow to Lead. This class allowed our up and comers to learn and discuss the soft skills of leadership, managing and mentoring. This was an outstanding opportunity to prepare for future promotions, while understanding the skills they will need to be an effective leader. We understand the importance of encouraging our members so that they may realize their potential. Hosting this class is one way we invest in the growth of the future leaders of our department.

Hillsborough County Regional Leadership Workshop

By

Public Relations Team

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue proudly hosted Patric Young for a regional leadership workshop yesterday. Patric shared experiences from his collegiate and professional basketball career to impart leadership pearls to the administrative staff from HCFR,St. Petersburg Fire Rescue,Temple Terrace Fire Department,Tampa Fire Rescue,Plant City Fire Rescue, andPolk County Fire Rescue. He then applied his story of overcoming challenges related to a life-changing accident to leadership. His positivity, determination, and resilience inspired the highly engaged audience.

2022 Chief Craig E. Haun Leadership Award

On March 9, 2023 the CFFCA President John Miller, accompanied by Maria Haun, Fire Chief Mike Johansmeyer, and 2020 award recipient Retired Chief Matt McGrew, presented the 2022 Chief Craig E. Haun Leadership Award to Lake County Office of Fire Rescue - Fire Chief Jim Dickerson. The bestowment of this prestigious award was in recognition of Chief Dickerson’s stellar leadership, his tireless personal passion and care for the “boots on the ground” and his significant career accomplishments during his nineteen years at Lake County Fire Rescue (LCFR), with a career total of 40 years. A quote from the nominee stated: “Fire Chief Dickerson encourages employees of all ranks to be free thinkers and empowers them to make decisions. Chief Dickerson is always willing to help when needed and motivates employees in a positive way to keep LCFR on a progressive path. Chief Dickerson still manages to personally contact every employee on their birthday and fully supports family first values.”

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Did you know, first responders are four to five times more likely to develop PTSD than the general population? Firefighter behavioral health has been on the forefront for several years and is becoming more of a focus due to the increase in first responder suicides. There are many ways to deal with the everyday stressors that occur on the job. Some are healthy coping mechanisms and some not so healthy. Teaching our crews the importance of mental health and providing existing crews and new hire classes with the tools they can use on the job and in everyday life is key. We also discuss critical incident stress management, peer support, available resources, potential signs and symptoms to look out for in each other and one’s self and give a brief introduction to the benefits of yoga, specifically for first responders during

their two-week orientation. This is why Brevard County Fire Rescue has incorporated Yoga into their new hire training.

Fire Inspector Nikki Kelly, a 14-year fire ser vice veteran, wanted to make a difference in the lives of her fellow brothers and sisters in the field who deal with the everyday on the job stress. Kelly obtained her Masters of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine and Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. In June of 2022, Inspector Kelly attended a six-day Yoga for First Responder teacher training academy and received her level two yoga instructor certification. In December 2022, she completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training course with Full Circle Yoga School and is also involved with BCFR’s Peer Support/CISM team. Her focus and passion continue to be the mental health and

wellness of her brothers and sisters in the fire ser vice. Kelly is thankful to have diverse knowledge in different aspects of the fire ser vice so she can relate and help support crews in any way possible.

Incorporating Yoga has become a very impor tant part of BCFR’s culture. Kelly guides our new hire classes and existing crew’s using techniques on how to decompress after a stressful call. She provides them with awareness and how yoga has been known to improve strength and flexibility as well as enhance sleep and relaxation. With meditation and breathing techniques, yoga can help improve one’s mental well-being, provide clarity and calmness, increase body awareness and relax the mind, and reduce the stress endured in the emergency services field.