November 2019 FFS Magazine

THE PUBLICATION

OF THE

FLORIDA FIRE CHIEFS’ ASSOCIATION

November 2019 • VOLUME 27 NUMBER 11

Thank you Fire Chief Ben Buckner and the Newberry Fire Department!

• • • • • • • •

E-ONE Typhoon Custom Rescue Pumper Typhoon X Medium Cab Cummins L9 400 HP Engine Allison 3000 EVS Transmission Waterous CM 1250 GPM 2 Stage Pump UPF 780 Gallon Water Tank Class 1 Sentry Pressure Governor Whelen LED Emergency Light Package

• • • • •

Severe Duty Dash and Overhead Console Leece Neville 320 AMP Alternator JW Speaker LED Headlights AXIS Smart Truck Technology VFD Text Display for V-MUX Electrical System • Federal Signal Side and Back Up Cameras • Firetech Brow Light

Thank you Fire Chief Scott Cassin and Pasco County Fire Rescue!

• • • • • • • • •

2019 Freightliner M2 Chassis Cummins 6.7 300 HP Engine Allison 3000 EVS Transmission Custom 174” Module with 76” Headroom Combo Ducted HVAC System with Coolbar Custom Siren Speakers with PCFR Cutout Rear Entry Electronic Privacy Glass HG2 LED Rub Rail Warning Lights Zico Electric Step Below Curbside Entry Door

• FireTech FT-MB-27-FT Brow Light • Whelen M9 Series Lights with Rota-Beams as Front Intersection Lights • Custom FireTech LED Grille Kit with 3 LED CG2 Light Canons and 4 Federal Signal FireRay Lights • Sierra Wireless System • Firecom 5100D and 210 Systems • Stryker Powerload System • Custom Squad Bench Cabinet with Sharps Container, Storage Drawers and Garbage Can Insert

LIKE US on Facebook

Florida Fire Florida Fire Fire Chiefs’ Florida Fire

Service is the monthly publication of the Chiefs’ Association, provided to Florida Association (FFCA) members, by the 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 Denise Holley - Office Manager Scott Leisen - Marketing Director Ngoc Huynh - Conference & Events Director Donna Chason - Administrative Assistant Liz Aperauch - Administrative Assistant FFCA Board of Directors Darrel Donatto - President Neal de Jesus, EFO - 1st Vice President Frank Babinec - 2nd Vice President John Miller - Immediate Past President Ty Silcox, MPA - Secretary/Treasurer Ryan H. Crawford - Northwest Region Director Carlos Aviles - Northeast Region Director Terry Wooldridge Jr. - East Central Region Director Julie Downey - Southeast Region Director Douglas Riley - West Central Region Director Michael Murphy - Southwest Region Director Wm. Ray Colburn - Executive Director & CEO Cindy Morgan - Foundation Chair Ronald Parrish, MPA, CFO, EFO - Senior Member

FROM THE SECTIONS Message from the Foundation Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Cadet Bahama Relief Effort . . . . . . .18

6

18 FEATURES

10

8

Gardening and Leadership . . . . . . . . 8 Seeing the Future: How Strategic Risk Management can Improve your Operations . . . . . . .10 Building a Powerful System of In-Station

14

16

Mental Wellness Support . . . . . .14 Tools of the Trade: America’s Finest 16

FURTHERMORE Now it has a Name . . . . . . . . . . .12 The New Kids on the Block . . . . . .20 VFIS Celebrates 50 Years of

12

20

22

24

28

30

32

34

36

38

Serving First Responders . . . . . . .22 2019 Safety and

Editorial Submissions magazine@ffca.org (850) 900-5180

Health Conference . . . . . . . . . . .24 Alternative Funding Sources . . . . . .28

Advertising Scott Leisen, Editor in Chief scott@ffca.org (386) 717-0055

Department Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . .30 Air Operations - Training and Exercise is the Key . . . . . . . .32

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 November 2019, Volume 27, Number 11 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 author’s alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of the officers or the members of FFCA. Copyright 2019 by the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association.

All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced without written permission.

4

FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

November 2019

Meet the Public Education Specialist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Members on the Move . . . . . . . . .36 14th Annual Northwest Florida Volunteer Firefighter Weekend . . .38 FFCA New Members . . . . . . . . . . .38 In brief . . . news from around the state . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Events Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Special Recognition for Pinellas Park Fire Department . . .46

Professional-Grade Illumination Tools

Portable Scene Light II Stackable Flood Light

NEW

#46000 • Cordless prevents trip hazards and compact with 360° rotating head • High-impact thermoplastic housing mounted alloy steel frame • Digital display on the back shows intensity level and run time • Hooked feet for hanging over doors, guard rails, fences, etc.

100% 80% 60% 40% 20%

10,000 8,300 6,300 4,500 2,300

lumens lumens lumens lumens lumens

runs 2.00 runs 2.75 runs 3.75 runs 5.75 runs 11.00

hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs

Multi-Function Dual Beam

10,000 LUMENS

Vantage® II Helmet Light

LED Firefighting Lantern

Vantage® 180 X USB #88911

Survivor

18650 USB Battery

Vantage® 180 X

®

Right-Angle, Safety-Rated Personal Light

Two CR123A Lithium Batteries #88901

175 LUMENS

• Multi-Fuel, Multi-Function Helmet/Right-Angle Flashlight • High-impact, “super-tough” nylon chemically-resistant polymer construction • Head articulates 180º to aim the beam

Join Mailing List Scan QR Code or www.nafeco.com/Pages/JoinMailingList

www.nafeco.com

•

800-628-6233 •

250 LUMENS

F191001_FLO150_STR050_POM_RW_rev2

1,200 LUMENS

©On-Fire Marketing

#69331 Fire Helmet Mount #69333 Industrial Hard Hat Mount • 350 lumens in a compact low profile design • Easily attaches to fire helmets and industrial hard hats • Uses a single CR123A lithium battery • Blue taillight LED gives your team a visual on your location 350 • Swivel clamp to optimize LUMENS beam location

Vulcan 180

#90503 • Orange, includes charger/holder and 120V AC & 12V DC cords #90540 • Orange, 4AA alkaline battery cartridge • High, low, moonlight & flash modes • Class I, II, Division 1

LUMENS

#44940 • Shines both ahead of you and downward with multiple lighting modes: spot/flood combo, spot & flood • High, medium and low settings • Hands-free uses: hang it over a door, stand it using the kickstand, or hang it with the integrated D-ring • Powered by 4 “C” batteries (not included)

®

#44311 • 180° articulating head aims the beam where you need it • 1,200 lumens; runs 5.75 hours; 548m beam distance • Flat base area allows light to stand on its own for scene lighting • Two ultra-bright blue taillight LEDs make certain you can be seen even in thick smoke

Dualie Waypoint® Spotlight 1,000

MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDATION CHAIR

Cindy Morgan

A

s we head into the holiday season, it is a great time to reflect on what we are thankful for in our lives. I am blessed to have many wonderful friends and family, but also to work in an industry like the fire service.

The love and care that fire fighters have for each other is overwhelming. Not only do I

6

FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

November 2019

get to experience the many laughs and jokes that you all share, but I see how you truly care and want the best for each other. It is a special family to be a part of.

As many young men and women search for what their career is going to be, the brotherhood and sisterhood of the fire service is a strong calling. Many that want to join the fire service family simply do not have the financial means to attend fire school. As you come across men and women in your communities, I hope that you will share about the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Foundation and our Firefighter Community Scholarship. Please take the time to mentor them and help them fill out the application found at www.ffca.org/scholarship-opportunities The Foundation has been blessed by many of you giving sacrificially to our causes. I am thankful for your giving heart! I am excited to announce that the Foundation was just selected as a 2019 Motorola Solutions Foundation grant recipient of $25,000. This money will be specifically used to fund our

Firefighter Community Scholarship. The money must be used within a year so please help us out by encouraging students to apply for our scholarship. I would like to thank Tom Weber, a Trustee on our Foundation, for taking the lead on this grant application. He worked extremely hard on the application along with a visit to Motorola headquarters in Chicago. Thank you to Motorola for trusting us to use this money to change the lives of men and women in Florida.

I pray that you all have a peaceful and blessed holiday season! Thank you for all you do for our great Florida fire service.

MORE CARRIERS! MORE OPTIONS!

MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO SAVE! PROTECTION. AT YOUR SERVICE.®

CALL FOR A FREE QUOTE

866.942.9822

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 8:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M. EST

ENDORSED BY THE

FLORIDA FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION

TAKE-HOME CAR

Extended Liability coverage for authorized personal use of government-issued autos available.

INSURANCE WITH A CAUSE Star & Shield Insurance Services LLC, dba Star & Shield Insurance is an insurance agency offering insurance through multiple insurance companies (carriers). Applicants are individually underwritten by each respective insurance carrier. Some individuals may not qualify for insurance and/or all available discounts. Insurance coverage subject to policy terms and conditions of each respective carrier. Not available in all states. Promotional material for descriptive purposes only.

PROUDLY SERVING THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNITY SINCE 2009.

Gardening & Leadership

By Gene Prince, EFO, Fire Chief (Retired)

R

ecently I had the opportunity to have a conversation with a local policymaker, it was this citizen’s first year of their first term as a city councilperson. It occurred following a budget presentation meeting. The new policymaker was frustrated with the first budget process as it did not seem to be addressing many of the items upon which their campaign was based.

Now it is fair to note here that there was a change in three of five council seats when this councilperson came into office. It was a rocky transition for many reasons. So, there had not been a lot of relationship-building leading up to this to this point. It had been quite the opposite.

I began telling the councilperson about an article I read in the early 1990s about the importance of gardening when presenting or supporting initiatives or deciding what her role in the process would be. Yes, I did get a look like I had lost my mind. The article had explained the process of “growing” a thought to an idea, an idea into a budget consideration or discussion, and from there to a scheduled procedure or project and on to completion.

The article discussed how sometimes you just to get be the seed planter, and sometimes you just get to water the seed or just till the soil to keep it from getting lost in the weeds. Or, you just get to fertilize the seed and sometimes you get to be there for the harvest. The idea concerns the ability to become comfortable in the role you get to play in moving ideas or projects through the process to completion.

Also, one must understand the time you spend in a leadership role may only allow you to serve in one of these capacities before you have or are required to move on. Many times, you must rely on others to play their role to bring in the harvest.

8

FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

November 2019

It’s funny just how much the reading of one article can make a difference in how you approach and handle things. Being willing to find a role in helping something move forward did not require having a high position or rank (at the time, I did not have either). I did begin to find more success in areas where I had previously struggled. Now, this was difficult for me at first because, being a fixer, I thought I had to see all things from start to finish. I found that by finding a role in fostering the ideas and projects that were not my own was both professionally and personally satisfying and helped improve relationships and gain allies of my own. Rarely do we find success without the help of others, and larger still is the invaluable experience that other people may get from being a part of the process.

When it comes to some local government “harvests,” they can come long after their leadership role is complete.

All these require the building of relationships and bridges, as well as getting people to believe not only in the importance of seed planting but the entire process. Seed germination requires fertile soil, knowing what it looks like and where to find it can be tricky.

The seeds of an idea may have to be strategically planted in more than one place if, at first, they don’t take root when watered, tilled, and fertilized. The idea “seed” may have fallen on rocky soil (deaf ears or no allies) or become entwined in weeds and thistles (lost in more significant or unexpected issues).

Knowing how to find fertile soil requires experience, organizational knowledge and that’s where relationships and allies are essential and valuable.

I asked if the councilperson had considered any of these things as well as the time in which they had to facilitate the change or complete projects they wanted see completed. At the end of this conversation, the councilperson told me they were an avid gardener, and the story had resonated with them. It will take a while to see if this seed was planted in fertile soil.

VersaPro™ Plus

To learn more about VersaPro and other game-changing LION products and services, contact:

sales@mecofire.com 1.800.228.8448 www.mecofire.com

© 2019 LION Group, Inc. All rights reserved. VersaPro™ is a trademark of LION Group, Inc.

TO CHECK IT OUT ONLINE, VISIT WWW.LIONPROTECTS.COM/VERSAPRO

By Gordon Graham, Co-founder, Lexipol

Editor’s Note: This article series is designed to introduce you to the concept of real risk management—an approach that goes way beyond a safety program to encompass the 10 Families of Risk and to demonstrate how better understanding these risk families can help you anticipate and mitigate the risks in your organization. Whether this is your first introduction to Gordon Graham and risk management, or if you’ve been following his innovative approach for years, this series has something for every public safety leader. We encourage you to follow along as we publish additional installments.

Gordon Graham here. Thanks for taking the time to read more about real risk management.

In this iteration, I will cover Family Three— Strategic Risks.

First, a bit of a teaser: This family of risks is of great concern to me because if not taken seriously, it can threaten the very existence of your organization.

Strategic Risk Management requires looking into the future and identifying the risks that may cause your organization to be “redundant” or “unnecessary,” resulting in the demise of your specific organization/department/agency—or perhaps even your entire profession.

Buggy Whips and Summer School Throughout history, we have seen people who did not look into the future, and as a result, their livelihood disappeared. Just in my lifetime, I have seen countless demonstrations 10

FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

November 2019

of terrible outcomes due to a failure to think strategically.

You have probably heard a joking reference to “buggy whips” and the demise of that industry. Prior to the rise of the automobile, people moved around in carriages pulled by horses. The driver used the buggy whip to direct the performance of the horses during the movement of the carriage.

With the advent of the automobile in the late 19th century, this product was no longer needed in high volume, and the business collapsed. Except, that is, for the few companies who recognized they were not in the buggy whip business, but rather in the “transportation” or “equestrian” industry (both much bigger markets). Those forward-thinking companies developed other products to fit customer needs in those markets.

I had my own early experience with strategic risk management. Back in the early 1960s, my mother was concerned that “an idle mind is the devil’s playground,” so I had to go to summer school. Summer school was a code phrase for “you are so stupid that you can’t move with your class until you get Cs, and that requires you to go to school during your vacation.” I was doing well in school, so I did not need remediation. But Mom enrolled me in typing classes.

For those of you who weren’t around then (and I do not say this to be disrespectful or sexist), typing was regarded as a girls’ class, because at that time typing skills were necessary

for a young woman to get a job as a secretary or administrative assistant—which, in many cases, were the only opportunities available to her.

So, I dutifully sat in the class of 20 students (19 of whom were female) and learned to type.

On my school Remington with blank keys (commonly used to teach touch-typing), I could soon type 50 words per minute—which was, I might add, faster than some of the girls!

Although I didn’t see it then, in retrospect, I view my mom as a strategic risk manager.

Typing is a skill I use every day. Sure, the hardware changed over time—the typewriter became the word processor which in turn became the personal computer—but the skill persists. Long before I needed to type, my mom saw the value in developing that skill.

Strategic Risks to Public Safety Some of you will remember other products that went the way of the buggy whip, including the VCR, the payphone, the Yellow Pages, Kodak film—there are countless others.

But it’s not just products—it’s also services. I was getting my car smog-tested the other week and wondered (not out loud) how much longer will smog testing exist. How long before these high-tech cars will monitor and report their emissions?

Similarly, I was recently talking with a retired detective from San Francisco Police Department, who jokingly commented about the impact Craig’s List (and other social sites) has had on the world of “madams and pimps.”

So, what does all this have to do with public safety? First, let’s consider the fire service. I guess that if you were to create a fire department today, you would not call it the “fire department” but rather an “all-risk department”—because that name better reflects the evolving nature of the calls to which firefighters respond. Technological advances such as smoke detectors and sprinklers, as well as comprehensive building and safety codes, have drastically reduced the incidence of fire.

Smart people in the fire service identified this strategic risk back in the late 1960s and started to move into EMS operations. Today, EMS calls make up 80 percent or more of many fire departments call loads.

And the evolution continues; today, smart people in the fire service recognize that lessons from Who Moved My Cheese (Johnson and Blanchard) apply to them, and now they are moving into the role of community health providers, addressing medical issues before they manifest in an event that requires an EMS response.

Concerning law enforcement operations, I am concerned with four strategic risks: 1. Regionalization: As I travel around the United States, I see a lot of regionalization in dispatch operations, jail operations, SWAT, vehicle and equipment purchasing and maintenance, and many others. Have you considered this approach and how it might change your policies and procedures?

2. Technology: The “tech” stuff is changing our job, from predictive policing to crime analysis. Are your recruitment efforts and job descriptions keeping pace? Are you looking for officer candidates with different educational backgrounds?

3. Outsourcing: I saw this coming in the mid80s with the Freeway Service Patrol in downtown Los Angeles. My cops were ecstatic that they did not have to help people who had broken down, but simultaneously some smart people were asking, “How many other things does the CHP do that could be done by nonsworn (read: less expensive) personnel?”

Agencies need to be asking themselves the same question.

4. Consolidation: Combining police services across communities, or combining police and fire, is often touted as a cost-saving measure. If the consolidation wave overtakes your community, how will that change what your department does and how it does it?

What Does Your Future Look Like?

You must start looking into your future and, more specifically, the future of your department. For too many people in public safety, the future is “Friday,” and the distant

future is “next Friday.” I encourage all of you to get involved in a “futures thinking group.” A quick Google search will show you all sorts of groups, some specific to government and many others more general in nature.

For my law enforcement friends reading this, I encourage you to visit the Police Futurists International website. Some of the contributors to this site were talking about things in the early 90s that were dismissed as “idiocy” then but are now viewed as ahead of their time.

In my next article, we’ll start to delve into the vast expanse of Family Four— Organizational Risks. Until then, please start thinking about how risk management can help

you improve the quality of your operations.

Gordon Graham is a 33-year veteran of law enforcement and the co-founder of Lexipol, where he serves on the current board of directors. Graham is a risk management expert and a practicing attorney who has presented a commonsense risk management approach to hundreds of thousands of public safety professionals around the world. Graham holds a master’s degree in Safety and Systems Management from University of Southern California and a Juris Doctorate from Western State University.

Visit us at WWW.FFCA.ORG

11

Now it has a Name

By Joseph A. LaCognata, Chaplain, Fire Rescue Support

ccording to the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention’s most recent statistics, 47,173 Americans died by suicide in 2017.1 That same year, according to the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, 103 firefighters died by suicide; more deaths than in the line of duty.2 I’ve taught these statistics for years, helping to sound the alarm about the struggles we are facing not only across our country, but specifically in the fire service. The conversation has changed from denying there were any issues to openly talking about the challenges.

But for me, everything recently changed. No longer were there

•

statistics and demographic information. Suicide had a name.

On Tuesday, October 22, firefighter/EMT Emilio Rivera of Marion County Fire Rescue died. Emilio had served with the United States Marine Corps for four years prior to joining our department. He was tough, rugged, energetic, hard charging; everything you desire in a firefighter. He had a wonderful smile and always greeted you with a firm handshake and a respectful tone. He was the guy on the radio who ended his transmissions with the word “over” (once a Marine, always a Marine!).

Emilio died of wounds to his soul from the battlefields of Afghanistan. Wounds to his heart from the streets of Marion County.

Wounds to his spirit from living the daily challenges of life.

Sadly, Marion County Fire Rescue has joined a club that no one was looking to become a part of. We now are among those departments across the country that have experienced the loss of one of our own by suicide. But it’s what we do next as an agency, as the fire service in general, that will define us. Proverbs 24:16 says, “The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.”

It’s time to get up! Time to stand for and with one another! We have the wonderful opportunity and incredible responsibility to be there for each other. You are your brother’s and sister’s keeper! There is no one better than someone like you to h A. La C ogna se p ta understand what someone like you is going Jo through. Reach out to those in need. Reach out if you are in need.

Very few can truly say “I understand” when talking about the struggles Emilio faced. But for those of you who can, we Fir t need to hear from you. Help us understand. eR or escue Supp Help us know how to help.

Help us to never have to put a name to this again.

You can find out more about Chaplain Joe and Fire Rescue Support by visiting www.firerescuesupport.com.

•

A

1 https://afsp.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics/ 2 https://rudermanfoundation.org/white_papers/police-officersand-firefighters-are-more-likely-to-die-by-suicide-than-in-line-of-duty/

12

FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

November 2019

PROVIDING MORE VALUEEADDED SOLUTIONS AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY

plincoln@ifrgfl.com

Building a Powerful System of In-Station Mental Wellness Support

T

he fire service has made incredible strides in acknowledging and addressing the mental wellness challenges facing its members.

You can turn to nearly any major trade publication or industry conference and find the topic being discussed in-depth. When critical incidents like natural disasters or mass-casualty incidents occur, critical incident stress debriefings are scheduled, and critical incident stress management teams are put in place. But what resources are available to those in need after the debriefing is over and the team leaves?

This question is being answered by the development of on-the-ground, peer-to-peer support. By equipping firefighters with the tools they need to identify signs of stress in their peers and effectively “start the conversation” when needed, our community is building powerful, empathic teams that are ready to provide approachable, accessible support, right at home in our fire stations.

UCF RESTORES® – a clinical research center that offers treatment services to those affected by trauma, available at no cost to Florida residents – offers a training program called REACT, which stands for “Recognize.

Evaluate. Advocate. Coordinate. Track.” The course is designed specifically for the first responder community to introduce, improve and strengthen peer support skills among firefighters, EMS personnel and law enforcement officers. Through this program, first responders learn how to recognize “stress

injuries” and evaluate the mental health of their peers, offer peer-level support and effectively coordinate necessary follow up in the event clinical assistance is warranted.

In completing this program, firefighters are empowered to open up to their peers, remind them that they are not alone and encourage candid discussions about mental health.

Given reported statistics, one of your brothers or sisters has been affected by on-thejob trauma. By tapping into available educational resources, you can learn how to identify signs of posttraumatic stress and be equipped with the tools to actively engage with someone who may be struggling. In learning how to effectively remind them that they are not alone, you can play a crucial role in breaking down the stigma barrier.

It’s important to remember that peer support personnel are not trained to be counselors and there’s no pressure to consider yourself as the “final stop” for someone in need of help. In the case that professional help is needed, graduates of the REACT training program are provided with ways to connect with culturally competent clinicians. These mental health professionals have a deeper understanding of the firefighter community and how to provide effective treatment, thanks in large part to programs like the Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative’s Clinician Awareness Program.

This training, along with keen awareness of the unique stressors’ firefighters face, allows

clinicians to be more readily and naturally prepared to help those in need.

If you’re interested in bringing peer support training to your team, share this article with your station chief or direct them to www.ucfrestores.org to learn more about this life-saving resource. Broaching this topic with someone that has been in the field for years or, potentially, decades, may seem daunting at first.

You may think, “They’ve seen everything and they’re doing just fine.” But you don’t need to be told that your chief has their team in mind each and every day, and there may be a chance that they’re in need of support themselves.

Every day, firefighters are equipped with tangible gear needed to protect themselves from the physical risks of the job; in the same way, they must be prepared with the knowledge and ability to support their brothers and sisters.

Bottom line: mental wellness training should be as standard as our uniforms. In making awareness and discussion of mental health the “new normal,” you can help pave the way for the next generation of firefighters to truly understand the importance of putting themselves first.

Fire & EMS Outreach Coordinator, Kimberly Neisler, RN, Ret. Fire Chief, leading a session 14

FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

November 2019

PROUDLY SERVICING FLORIDA FOR OVER 5 YEARS NFPA 1851 COMPLIANT THIRD PARTY VERIFIED FACILITY CLEANING AND INSPECTIONS DECONTAMINATION REPAIRS AND RETROFITS RECORD KEEPING ALTERATIONS NAME PANELS MOISTURE BARRIER REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT NFPA COMPLIANT RENTAL & LOANER GEAR

FREE PICK-UP & DELIVERY ALL OVER FLORIDA 305.851.8281 3795 NW 38th St, Miami, FL 33142 bunkergearcleaners.com

DETERGENTS & ANTI-BACTERIAL SOLUTIONS FOR FIRE & EMS DEPARTMENTS ORDER ONLINE AT FIRESOAPS.COM ENTER THE PROMO CODE FL2019 FOR $99 CASE OF FIRE WASH WITH FREE SHIPPING Visit us at WWW.FFCA.ORG

15

By J. Marvin Hart, Retired Chief Officer, City of Pembroke Pines Fire Department, Indian River State College Fire Academy

I

was eating dinner at a restaurant one evening not long ago with a group of firefighters, and as war stories were exchanged that were well out of date, someone at the table stood up and held his glass high saying, “to America’s finest, the firefighter!”

We were all caught up in the moment with a distinct feeling of honor and pride that seemed to swell up inside us. We were members of the elite, and it felt good, especially when we noticed that several other patrons sitting nearby raised their glasses as well and were cheering us on.

Suddenly, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder that drew my attention away from our table to a man sitting behind me with a beautiful young lady sitting across from him; she was much

16

FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

November 2019

younger. He commented that he was with his daughter, that she was twelve years old, and that they were on a “date night.” I smiled as he continued to speak, “I wish that I were in your shoes,” he said, “my wife would be so proud of me, and I know that my daughter would be too, but I’m just a dad with an ordinary job, nothing special.” We spoke for a few moments, and when I turned back to my friends, I began to think to myself, I have had an incredible career, but in all those years, I never took my son on a men’s night out nor my two daughters on a date night. The feeling of being special escaped me, and I thought to myself, who really is America’s finest? Then suddenly, these words began to surface in my mind and heart: Ask a firefighter who has gazed through a

translucent mask at nothing but thick dark smoke in an attempt to find someone trapped in a structure.

Ask a member of the dive team who has entered the dangerous waters of a canal or lake in an attempt to reclaim the life of a child while a mother and father wait anxiously nearby.

Ask the emergency medical technician who has crawled through the window of a twisted and mangled vehicle to reach someone who is experiencing the worst day of their life.

Ask a paramedic who has exhausted all of his or her resources to stabilize the life of a newborn while a mother listens for the cry she has labored so long to hear.

Ask any law-enforcement officer who has responded to a domestic call and without hesitation, stepped between hate and violence in an attempt to salvage lives and restore peace.

Ask the corrections officer who is expected to maintain control and harmony behind walls constructed of concrete and barbed wire.

Ask any member of a family who lost a loved one at the World Trade Center, who casually said good-bye in the morning and went to work but never came home.

Ask any member of the search and rescue teams whose hands are calloused and scarred from the rocks and debris that were removed at ground zero while listening for the slightest sound of hope that never came.

Ask any member of the military who searched and called out to those who were injured and who had perished beneath the western walls of the Pentagon.

Ask anyone who lost a family member or loved one on the United or American Airline flights that ended abruptly on September 11, 2001.

Ask the soldier who has served his or her country who returned home much different than when he or she left, who is haunted by the carnage of war.

Ask anyone who has waited outside the gates and walls of a nursery, middle, or high school for any sign that their son, daughter or loved one survived the evil that only hell can inflict.

Ask anyone who has knelt beside the lifeless body of a colleague who has made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

With those thoughts in mind, I turned back to thank the man behind me for being one of the greatest dads in the world and to express how proud his wife and daughter must be to have a husband and father like him, but the table was empty, and they were gone.

Life is sacred, and the fact remains that not everyone does go home at the end of the day, so, if the question is ever asked, “Who really is

r

America’s finest” n Mar vi Hart remember this: • It’s a mother who silently kneels before God and petitions Re the lives of those tir e ce d C h i e f O f fi she loves.

• It’s a father who turns from self-gratification to quality time with his children.

• It’s the man or woman who thinks they have a menial job, when, in fact, without them, I believe the world would never be the same.

• It’s the law enforcement and corrections officer, the firefighter, EMT, and paramedic, it’s the soldier, blue and white-collar workers, men, and women from all corners of the earth, members of humanity who are willing to rise up, stand tall and roll up their sleeves in the presence of adversity, turning failure into victory, dreams into reality, and despair into hope.

• And it’s the clergy who points to the one true God who has made the greatest sacrifice of all, His only Son, Jesus Christ, that somehow we might see and understand the sanctity of life, that we all count, in one way or the other, and that we are special in His eyes.

Who really is America’s finest, I thought? It is you, my friend, the stranger who sat behind me that evening and showed me what it really means to be special.

Be grateful this holiday season for what you have and the people who make it possible.

Challenge yourself; pick up the phone and tell someone how much they mean to you. Set water out for the waste management personnel who live a thankless life while taking away our refuse. Give your postal carrier a bottle of water so that his or her thirst might be quenched as they deliver your mail. Find a widow or widower and help them in some way that they might know someone really cares, and don’t question the hand that is extended to you on the street corner, leave that up to God. He has given you the opportunity to demonstrate what it means to be blessed far beyond measure and be found worthy of your calling. To those whom much is given, much is required.

For I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; naked and you clothed me; sick, and in prison, you visited me. Then shall He answer you saying, in as much as you did it to one of the least of these, you have done it to me.

Matthew 25: 43-45

Always on the job.

For generations, we’ve been there — protecting the future of more emergency responders than any other provider of emergency service insurance in North America. With 24/7 claims support, industry-leading training tools and a 97.6 percent loyalty scale, VFIS is the preferred insurance provider among agents and their customers.

Just like you, we’re always on the job.

The Nehf family has been on the job for three generations.

800.233.1957 YßV FRP © 2018 VFIS

Visit us at WWW.FFCA.ORG

17

By Jennifer Fields, Palm Beach County Fire Cadet Parent

W

hen Hurricane Dorian made landfall over the Labor Day weekend 2019 and battered the Bahamas, PBCFR Cadet, Dawson Fields, swiftly took action to organize a relief project to assist with the devastation left from Dorian.

It wasn’t long before he corralled his fellow cadets, and as word spread, cadets from all over the state quickly jumped in to offer their services and assistance.

Everything from non-perishables, to baby supplies, to tarps and building materials, and

18

FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

November 2019

other essential items, showed up in droves.

After being weighed, palleted, and wrapped, all supplies were delivered to the Bahamas via cargo plane and ship. This effort resulted in 53 pallets of supplies, exceeding a total weight of 27,000 pounds.

Most of the supplies went to Sweetings Cay. However, some went to McCleans Town and Deep Water Cay, which are the smaller islands often forgotten in the aftermath of devastation.

What initially began as a small project spearheaded by Dawson Fields, to assist and give back, quickly evolved into an enormous endeavor. With the help of his fellow cadets, their families and friends, and local communities throughout the state of Florida, they were able to give to those in desperate need‌and the people of these Bahamian Islands showed nothing but gratitude from this tremendous outpouring of love and generosity.

ETR, L.L.C. is a full service company devoted to the Emergency, Tactical, and Rescue industries. ETR, L.L.C. was incorporated in September, 2001. Our collision and remount facility is located in Sanford, FL. In addition to new vehicles sales we provide collision, custom command conversions, graphics, parts, reconditioning/ remounting, service, and warranty repairs.

ETR, L.L.C. is E.V.T., Q.V.M., and G.V.S. CAAS certified.

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY FIRE RESCUE 2 NEW FORD F-550 4x2 AEV TRAUMA HAWK TYPE I

FEATURES: • Liquid Spring suspension • Transverse back board storage • Secondary Danhard 110V A/C system • Zico QR-OTS-ML, M Cylinder lift rack • Recess mount Knox Box Medvault 5520 Thank You Indian River County Fire Rescue, Chief Tad Stone, Asst. Chief Kevin Yelvington

1-844-612-8148 18 YEARS OF RESPONDING TO YOUR NEEDS

By Gloria Rybinski, MPIO, Public Information Officer/Records Manager, Highlands County Board of County Commissioners

L

ike many of Central Florida’s agricultural counties, fire protection in Highlands County was largely a municipal or state forest service responsibility until the 1960’s and 70’s. As volunteer fire corporations began to form, fire assessment districts were established within specific geographic areas.

County residents began paying a $20 (businesses $100) fee. Eventually 13 independent volunteer fire departments were created covering the 1,100 square miles that makes up Highlands County. Over time the fees increased to $25 for residential ($150 for businesses) annually.

In 1997, with the intention of understanding options and best practices for fire protection, the Highlands County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) initiated a countywide fire assessment study. The study was completed, however never implemented.

As a temporary solution, several firefighters were hired to work at three stations, MondayFriday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

In 2017, as volunteerism in the country

20

FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

November 2019

struggled, the BCC once again initiated a study and implementation plan for a countywide fire assessment. The study results and recommendations were updated. An affirmative vote would mean enactment of a countywide fire assessment, with eventual consolidation of all fire districts and county EMS service.

The countywide assessment was approved and the Highlands County Fire Rescue (HCFR) was established on October 2, 2018.

HCFR hired the first 24/7 firefighters in January 2019, with a Lieutenant and two firefighters on a 24/48 shift pattern at one station. In March, a second station was staffed with two firefighters around the clock.

A third station will be staffed with a Lieutenant and two firefighters around the clock, prior to January 1, 2020. Yes, we are hiring!

The transition has begun of crosscredentialing firefighters and EMS personnel as the fire rescue model develops. Those transition steps are home-grown processes to

ensure firefighters, EMT’s, and paramedics are not only up to skills, but also familiar with Highlands County.

Highlands County has an aggressive ALS ambulance transport service, under aggressive medical direction. This means that firefighters hired from the outside need to understand the labyrinth of ALS skills that are different from other jurisdictions. This cross-credentialing process is ongoing and will likely take another year to fully implement.

The HCFR has found itself in the middle of four international news events since its inception; 33 children transported with Norovirus from Camp Cloverleaf; double-fatal gyro-copter crash into a home; quintuple-fatal shooting at the SunTrust Bank; Kosan propane plant explosion. The new combination paid/volunteer fire rescue system has risen to each of these catastrophes as anticipated.

HCFR has taken on a progressive public engagement position, with establishment of a HCFR Facebook page and enhanced fire prevention and EMS education capacities.

With continued support from the BCC and our community, the HCFR will continue to grow.

V

FIS, a division of Glatfelter Insurance Group, celebrated its 50th anniversary with associates and community leaders at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, September 14, 2019. The event featured presentations from VFIS leaders and regional directors on how the insurance company has provided critical insurance coverage and meaningful support for fire departments and emergency service organizations across North America.

“We were the pioneers 50 years ago, and today we continue our work to meet the evolving needs and secure the future for first responders,” Troy Markel, president of VFIS said to the audience of 300 associates and guests in attendance. “We look forward to many more years of serving with the same passion, commitment and genuine care that has become synonymous with VFIS since day one.”

Barbara Marzean, regional director of VFIS of Texas, and Chris Barron, executive director of the State Firefighters’ and Fire Marshals’ Association of Texas, presented Markel with a proclamation from the Lone Star State commemorating the company’s landmark milestone. Recently, VFIS has received similar honors from Governor Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania.

The formal event also featured an interactive art display honoring the company’s pioneering history. Originally named Volunteer Firemen’s Insurance Services, VFIS began when Arthur J. Glatfelter launched the first Accident & Sickness policy tailored for firefighters in 1969. Since then, the company has expanded both its coverages and services to include risk management education, training and consulting used by fire departments and emergency medical services countrywide.

“I recall Art [Glatfelter] telling me more than once that he would consider VFIS to be a tremendous success if we wrote one-third of the fire departments in the state of Pennsylvania,” Tony Campisi, president of Glatfelter Insurance Group said. “Well today, 50 years later, VFIS insures about 50 percent of the fire and EMS departments in the entire country.”

“We are celebrating the unique culture that has been, and continues to be, the foundation of VFIS and Glatfelter,” continued Campisi. “It’s a culture of service, caring and building strong and lasting relationships based on trust, loyalty, integrity, respect, teamwork and simply doing the right thing.”

In addition to its specialized insurance solutions, VFIS holds a unique position in the market due to its immersion within the emergency 22

FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

November 2019

services field. Many associates within Glatfelter serve or have served as emergency responders, with a combined 760+ years of experience.

“All of the great accomplishments my family and I have accomplished can be traced right back here to the people at VFIS,” said Wiatt Wong, regional director of VFIS of Arizona. “If the Education, Training and Consulting department hadn’t sent an instructor to Arizona, I never would have found my calling. From that I became a certified firefighter and EMT. In turn, when I call on a fire department, they don’t see me as an insurance agent or salesperson. They consider us family.”

OCALA, FLORIDA P 352-629-7712 E JREESE@BREATHINGAIR.COM WWW.BREATHINGAIR.COM

ADDITIONAL OFFICES ILLINOIS .................. 217-768-4408 MICHIGAN ............... 517-783-4060 NORTH CAROLINA.....336-674-0749 OHIO ........................ 614-864-1235 PENNSYLVANIA ....... 412-896-5186 TENNESSEE ............ 423-634-3184 Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia

THE NATIONS LARGEST DISTRIBUTOR OF

MOBILE AIR TRAILERS

CUSTOM CONTROL PANELS COMPRESSORS & FILL STATIONS CO MONITORS

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SERVING THE FIRE INDUSTRY

CASCADE SYSTEMS

BOOSTER PUMPS

sales@breathingair.com | www.breathingair.com

BREATHING AIR COMPRESSORS | FILL STATIONS | CASCADE SYSTEMS | MOBILE AIR TRAILERS FULL SERVICE | PARTS | HASSLE FREE AIR TEST PROGRAM | PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS

24

FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

November 2019

2019 Safety and Health Program First Line of Defense: Overall Health

Monday, December 2, 2019 9:15 AM - 9:45 AM

Debbie Colburn Mutual Aid Health Coaching

Description: In an industry where important and creative new ideas and technologies are being explored and developed for the health and well-being of our First Responders - are we forgetting to look back to some of the basics?

Are we having enough discussion about the obvious FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE against illhealth and disease - one that each individual and family can personally manage, in conjunction with, or even despite whatever “programs” and “protections” your agency does or does not offer? We all want to be and stay healthy. But what does that really mean? What does that look like in a practical sense? And in our busy lives, what manageable steps can we take in order to achieve our goals? In this session we will explore the answers to these questions as well as get a personal, individualized snap-shot of where each participant currently sees themselves on their own journey to establishing their First Line of Defense against ill-health and disease. In an industry fraught with occupational hazards, there is great hope for a healthier future as we all work together towards the same goal.

Learning Objectives: • What being healthy really looks like • Understand how a single component of overall health has a direct impact on all other areas • Capture a snap-shot of where they see themselves currently through a quick personal assessment activity • Realize the importance of their first line of defense in combating ill-health and disease

firefighters, Wildland firefighters, EMS personnel, law enforcement, and Amtrak personnel. This method of assisting a co-worker undergoing stress recognizes that disasters and “critical incidents” are not the only stressors that professionals in these fields face and is therefore based on acknowledgement that stress can be ongoing and cumulative, resulting from multiple sources.

The Continuum of Support

What is Situational Awareness and Why does it Matter?

Kimberly Lightley Florida Forest Service

Richard Gasaway Gasaway Safety Solutions

Monday, December 2, 2019 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM Description: Exposure to line of duty stress creates a risk for potentially severe stress reactions in first responders. This class will focus on “best practices” for addressing stress reactions in public safety workers, and will introduce the core components of an evidence-based self-care and peer support framework called Stress First Aid. SFA is a self-care and peer support model that comprises a set of supportive actions designed to help emergency responders assist each other in reducing the negative impacts of stress. SFA was designed originally to support military personnel, and subsequently tailored to support structural

Monday, December 2, 2019 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

Description: Most workers know, intuitively, that strong situational awareness is an important aspect of worksite safety.

However, many do not understand what situational awareness is, how it is developed and how it can erode while working in a high risk, high consequence environment.

This program provides you with a working definition for situational awareness and explains how it is developed. Specific examples of barriers that can erode awareness will be shared.

UM Cancer Update

Monday, December 2, 2019 2:30 PM - 3:15 PM Visit us at WWW.FFCA.ORG

25

2019 Safety and Health Program PFAS Exposure in the Fire Services

Monday, December 2, 2019 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM Graham Peaslee University Of Notre Dame

Description: Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) are an emerging chemical class of concern to the fire services, mostly because of their use in Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF). These chemicals have tremendous environmental persistence, they bioaccumulate in humans, and several have demonstrated toxicity. For years these class B foams were deemed safe, and now that they have been released widely into the environment, it has become a serious global problem in drinking water supplies impacted by AFFF. For Firefighters, direct exposure to AFFF has been linked with higher blood sera levels of PFAS, and our research has found another source of PFAS - the water-resistance added to turnout gear is given by the use of PFAS-treated textiles.

With time, exposure and wear these chemicals will shed from turnout gear and that presents as another source of exposure to PFAS for firefighters. A brief overview of PFAS and the currently known health effects associated with them will be provided, together with an overview of potential exposure routes that firefighters face, and some suggestions where this exposure can be minimized.

Exposure Control in Fire Training

Tuesday, December 3, 2019 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Gavin Horn

Description: Firefighters’ training ground is undergoing a rapid evolution as we look to improve the training firefighters receive while balancing exposure risk. This presentation will discuss results from a project between IFSI Research, UL FSRI and NIOSH that focus on the impact of fuel type used during training evolutions for both firefighting students and fire instructors.

Highway Incident Safety: "D" Drivers, Autonomous Vehicles and Other Hazards

Tuesday, December 3, 2019 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM

Jack Sullivan Emergency Responder Safety Institute

Description: Distracted, drowsy, drunk, drugged and disgruntled drivers are striking firefighters, fire apparatus, and other emergency vehicles at roadway incidents with increasing frequency. We can’t change the behavior of “D” drivers, but we can change how we operate to improve scene safety. With the highway being noted as one of 26

FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

November 2019

the most immediately dangerous areas of operation for firefighters, it is critical that personnel safeguard themselves during roadway operations. This session will offer strategies and tactics for safer roadway incident scene operations and discuss emerging hazards from autonomous vehicles and potential safeguards from connected vehicle technology. Participants will walk away with the essential steps and actions every FD should be taking to protect their personnel from being struck on the highway.

When the Smoke Clears: A Primer on Fire Service Retirement

Tuesday, December 3, 2019 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM Richard Kline Plymouth Fire Department

Description: Carcinogen Control at Fire and Emergency New Zealand is the response to the ever-increasing international body of evidence that suggests firefighters are at a greater risk of developing cancer than their civilian counterparts.

Addressing this risk, however, poses numerous significant challenges. Firefighters are filled with a mix of denial, anxiety, fatalism and apathy, while Fire and Emergency NZ has pressures from unions and a new health & safety regulatory environment, combined with budgetary constraints. All of this is happening during a time when Fire and Emergency NZ is undergoing the largest overhaul of fire and emergency services in New Zealand history. In this presentation Kevin will share Fire and Emergency NZ’s journey to winning the hearts and minds of firefighters and pushing forth changes that will make carcinogen management part of ‘business as usual’ despite the challenges of working in a complex environment.

Description: The behavioral, mental and physical health of our retired members has long been overlooked. This recently developed workshop presents the harsh realities of retiring from the fire service. In this engaging and interactive session, we discuss the emotional, psychological and physical impact experienced by many retirees, and importantly how to best prepare to avoid the pitfalls of retirement. This session offers insight and advice on how to prudently prepare for retirement, what to expect when retired, our emotional, mental and physical resilience and how our long relationship with the fire service will impact our wellness following retirement.

The presenter’s personal retirement journey will be shared, offering perspective with real-world experience on how to best prepare, cope and enjoy retirement. Keeping the passion, purpose and sense of belonging and identity we have of our profession through careful retirement preparation will be thoroughly discussed. This program will be equally rewarding to the family of the prospective retiree and their attendance is encouraged. Retirees often experience emotional and psychological difficulties if they have not planned for replacing a sense of belonging, purpose and their former identification that is frequently missing when leaving the fire service. Real world insight is given on how to fill these vital psychological and emotional voids to recapture the passion we had for our former profession. We speak indepth of filling the voids of the loss of identity, belonging and purpose and passion often absent following retirement and highlight the role resilience play in our overall health.

Saving Our Own: Changing the Culture of Mental Health in Public Safety

The Latest on Firefighter Occupational Cancer Issues

Carcinogen Control at Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Tuesday, December 3, 2019 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Kevin Crume Fire And Emergency New Zealand

Tuesday, December 3, 2019 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Wendy Bowman Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

Description: Suicide has surpassed line of duty deaths as the cause of death for public safety professionals. This presentation will discuss the issue of mental illness in public safety and how to recognize the signs that a friend, co-worker, family member or you are suffering from a mental health issue. Resources that are available to public safety personnel and their families will be discussed. Several cases of public safety personnel who have dealt with mental health issues will be discussed as well as the very different outcomes of each.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Keith Tyson Firefighter Cancer Support Network

Description: In this brief one hour presentation we will discuss some of the latest issues and concerns with firefighters and cancer, including: 1. The latest research on different topics 2. On scene Personal Exposure Reduction and what that means 3. Clean Cab concept, is it too much?

4. The THREE zones of fire station design 5. Exposure reporting for medical and litigation issues 6. A quick overview of changes for NFPA 1500 and 1851 Quite a lot for one hour, so be prepared for rapid information!

2019 Safety and Health Program Top 10 Must Do’s for Effective After Action Reviews

Wednesday, December 4, 2019 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Adam La reau O2x Human Performance Timothy Petty

Description: Conducting effective debriefing and after action review sessions is critical to creating an organization geared towards continuous progress and optimal performance.

Implementing after action reviews as standard operating procedure promotes the traits necessary to develop high performing individuals and optimize team culture. The session will include real world, practical examples of how high performing military teams like the Navy SEALs utilize debriefing and after action reviews to create a culture based on continuous learning to ensure success in high-stakes operations. This will help identify how AARs conducted post-call or following training drills within the fire service enables teams to identify lessons learned and create action plans to improve future performance.

After action review provides a valuable learning opportunity and can help firefighters build resilience, maximize performance, and continually improve how they serve their communities. This session will begin with an explanation of the role of mindset, consistency, and accountability in effective debriefing protocol and an overview of why debriefing is critical to the performance of elite teams and tactical athletes. Attendees will learn how to bring debriefing and AARs to their departments through using concrete, practical examples in a participation-based discussion.

This session will help leaders implement effective debriefing practices to enhance the communication, accountability, and trust within their teams.

Tactical Sports Medicine - A New Approach to Integrative Health within the Fire Service

Wednesday, December 4, 2019 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM John Hofman Fitness, & Human Performance

Description: • Introduction of the traditional occupational medicine model and the inefficiencies that are often associated within public safety.

• Understanding SCU TSM model and how “front loading” can lead to improved focus on patientcentered care and the needs of public safety.

• Application of specific movements and utilizing pneumatic-resistance technology to improve quality reconditioning programs for both lower and upper extremities.

Improving Sleep, Health and Safety in Firefighters Wednesday, December 4, 2019 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Laura Barger - Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School

Description: Firefighters work very challenging schedules under highly stressful and demanding conditions. The need to work frequent extended-duration shifts leads to acute and chronic sleep deficiency and disrupts circadian rhythms. A significant proportion of firefighters also suffer from undiagnosed sleep disorders, which further impair sleep and exacerbate fatigue.

A nationwide survey was conducted of nearly 7,000 firefighters in 66 departments across the US and found that 37% of firefighters were at risk for a common sleep disorder. Those at risk for a sleep disorder had twice the risk of a motor vehicle crash, near-crash or falling asleep while driving. They were also more likely to have cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression and anxiety. Alarmingly, 83 percent of firefighters who screened at-risk for a sleep disorder were undiagnosed and untreated.

Next, a sleep health education and sleep disorders screening program was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial in one mid-sized fire department. Firefighters assigned to stations that received the program reported 46 percent fewer disability days than firefighters assigned to control stations. Firefighters who received the program were also 24 percent less likely to report an injury than firefighters who did not receive the training.

A sleep health education and screening program is important to improve the health, safety and well-being of firefighters. This presentation will focus on the implementation of such programs, the importance of sleep, the symptoms of sleep disorders and countermeasures to improve the sleep health of firefighters in the face of the occupational demands.

Getting Social With Safety Wednesday, December 4, 2019 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM

Description: “How to Connect and Communicate to Persuade People to Take Action” is the overall theme. But segments include: • The #1 communication problem that causes safety accidents, and how to fix it.

• How likability and adaptability improve safety.

• How to create an instant, likable connection with anyone to improve safety culture.

• How to grab attention so you can pass safety info on quickly and effectively.

• New methods top companies are trying to attract and retain more employees.

• How to integrate new communications training with your existing safety programs and materials.

• How millennials think and communicate differently, and how to adjust to fit them. What are the key tips you hope our attendees will take away from your keynote?

• How to be more social with your coworkers so you keep each other safe on the job.

• How to connect and communicate a more likable safety message more likely to get quick agreement.

• How to become more persuasive and likable in your work.

• How to get people to care more about safety, about each other, about you and about the company.

Florida Firefighters Safety

fitness, and firefighter safety. We look

and Health Collaborative

forward to sharing resources, available

This was an exceptionally hard year for

courses, program updates, past

the fire service state wide and nationally

accomplishments and our goals for the

as we work to support our brothers and

coming year at the at the pre-conference

sisters, recognizing the many firefighters

session on December 1st for the FFCA

we lost to suicide since last December

Safety and Health Conference.

2018. This has furthered our determination to work with the State of Florida Fire Service Leadership to build curriculum and resources and to provide free training in mental wellness, firefighter cancer prevention, health and

Visit us at WWW.FFCA.ORG

27

Alternative Funding Opportunities

By Nicole Chesser, Office of the Fire Chief, Greater Naples Fire District

T

he Greater Naples Fire District (GNFD) remains committed to access all available funding opportunities to support operational needs and minimize costs to residents. The district has been fortunate enough to receive several financial awards that will enhance operational capabilities without significantly impacting the budget.

On October 8, 2019, GNFD formally accepted a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for $554,772 for the acquisition of new selfcontained breathing apparatus for the front-line fire apparatus enhancing firefighter safety with the most recent technology and equipment. The primary goal of the AFG is to meet the firefighting and emergency needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources required to protect the

28

FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

November 2019

public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

FEMA requires local governments to develop and adopt hazard mitigation plans as a condition for receiving certain types of nonemergency disaster assistance, including funding for mitigation projects.

Jurisdictions must update their hazard mitigation plans and re-submit them for FEMA approval every five years to maintain eligibility.

In September 2019, GNFD received funding through the Local Mitigation Strategy for $75,000 to acquire a new generator for the Fire Station 21 public safety complex. Local mitigation plans identify the natural hazards that may affect local jurisdictions, such as a town, city, or county. Strategies assess risks and vulnerabilities, identify actions to reduce losses from those hazards identified, and establish a coordinated process to implement the plan using a wide range of public and private investments.

GNFD has also recently been notified by the Florida Department of Health that it has been awarded emergency opioid antagonists through the Helping Emergency Responders Obtain Support (HEROS) Program.

The purpose of this program is to reduce the number of drug/opioid overdose-related deaths and adverse events by providing emergency responders with appropriate pharmaceutical resources to address this crisis. This is the second year the district has received an award under this State Department of Health program. The previous award allowed the district to stock all front-line fire engines; we will now be able to equip life safety and other district support vehicles with pharmaceuticals.

GNFD has additionally been awarded $5,000 from the Preferred Government Insurance Trust (PGIT) TIPS program. This is a reimbursement program with matching training/safety incentives that can be applied for by any current member of PGIT. Agencies are eligible for a matching incentive of up to $5,000 per coverage year for projects that increase personal protective safety, ADA compliance measures, and safety-related training, for example. The district applied for the program to support its ballistics program, providing for personal safety equipment for firefighters responding to incidents of potential mass violence. In total, the district has invested more than $50,000 for the program over the last year.

T

he City of Rockledge, Florida, located on Florida’s Space Coast, is the oldest city in Brevard County, having been established in 1887. With some 30,000 residents and a solid mix of business and residential properties, Rockledge is a city moving towards a bright future while never losing perspective of its past.

The City of Rockledge Department of Public Safety is a model which places all aspects of public safety services under one single managerial umbrella. Law enforcement, Fire Rescue, Fire Prevention and Public Education all fall under the responsibility of Public Safety Director Joseph LaSata. Director LaSata’s service philosophy is simple; “Today to be successful as a Public Safety Department, you need to have buy-in and commonalities. In Rockledge that begins with a whatever it takes attitude and a true sense of comradery throughout the organization.” Rockledge Fire Department takes this philosophy to heart and works hard to remove the mysteries

30

FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

November 2019

surrounding the delivery of emergency services.

As opposed to merely being an agency providing services to the community, Rockledge Department of Public Safety sees itself as a part of the community. Annually the department hosts several events that are meant to enhance the relationship between those served and those serving. These events provide an opportunity for the department to interact, answering frequently asked questions regarding responses, home safety, and fire prevention.

This proactive approach has built a lasting invaluable bond between the department and the community we serve.

As with most departments throughout Florida, most of the responses handled by Rockledge Fire Department are EMS in nature.

However, the department prides itself on constant training meant to ensure total competence in all aspects of potential responses. What sets Rockledge apart is its working model, as a Division of Public Safety,

and the unique capabilities that result. Most departments in Florida are entirely dependent on the State Fire Marshal to provide arson investigations and arrests. Rockledge has a certified State Fire Marshal who performs these services in house.

Perhaps the most unique feature of the Rockledge Fire Department is its work schedule. Most departments throughout Florida work a standard 24 hours on and 48 hours off.

However, Rockledge field personnel work “sets”; each set consists of 24 on and 24 off until the employee has worked three shifts, which is then followed by four consecutive days off. When a firefighter takes one set (three shifts off), they net 13 days off in a row. It’s an unusual shift schedule and is one greeted with fondness by the field personnel.

The City of Rockledge is a city on the move.

With annexations and a great deal of construction, the future of Rockledge is exceptionally bright. Recognizing, with growth and expansion will come new and more significant challenges, Rockledge Fire Department is called on to face new and greater challenges. But founded on the principle that you don’t have to be the biggest to be the best, Rockledge Fire Department prides itself on the outstanding services provided. Rockledge Fire Department sees its mission very simply. It’s never our bad day. And there is never any task too large or too small that we cannot respond to.

NATIONS LARGEST PROVIDER OF FIREFIGHTER PHYSICALS Saving the Lives of America's Heroes

WITH 40,000 FIREFIGHTERS ANNUALLY Chris Thompson

Broward Sheriff's Office Fire Rescue,FL Thyroid Cancer Survivor My endocrinologists said"I don't know why you had and ultrasound, but it saved your life."

"By God's grace and BSO's proactive early detection physicals with Life Scan I was granted that miracle"

Fire Chief Mark Sealy Mobile Fire Department, AL Kidney Cancer Survivor

INTRODUCING TWO ENHANCED PROGRAMS: • Life Scan Behavioral Health Program included in each physical • Life Scan Advanced Blood Markers for Cancer and Diseases

Life Scan saved my life with their complimentary ultrasound at Metro 2018.

They found a mass on my kidney and I was diagnosed with early stages Kidney Cancer.

I am on a mission to improve the health of my firefighters and Life Scan is a vital part of this mission! Thank you, Life Scan!

For the cost of ress u Captain Matt Corso Spring Fire Fire Department, TX Rare Stage 2 Testicular Cancer For the cost of a dress uniform Life Scan Saved my life. Spring Fire Department thought I was valuable enough to provide me this Life Scan physical and Life Scan saved my life.

On November 9, 2016 I went in for my Life Scan. I was 33 years old, healthy with no

By Scott H. Chappell, US&R/Haz-Mat Program Coordinator, Division of State Fire Marshal

A

ir operations are a part of normal response for departments across Florida.

Aircraft can be used to assess and fight fire at otherwise inaccessible wildfires, quickly transport victims to definitive care, search for missing people or criminals who are on the run, and to move specialty resources to remote locations that have challenges for access by traditional means. This is especially true in disasters. The need to rapidly recon the area of impact, move specialty resources into devastated areas, and to extract victims to safety and for medical care is paramount in disaster. While most Florida fire departments do not have any aircraft, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Florida National Guard, Florida Forest Service, and the United States Coast Guard all have aircraft that can be utilized during a disaster.

Coordinating air missions in disasters is not routine. In fact, by definition, disaster operations are not routine. Fire department based urban search and rescue (US&R) teams

32

FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

November 2019

mobilize to a landing zone (LZ) where they can load their personnel and equipment onto the aircraft. These locations can only be loosely pre-identified as the path of a storm changes, leaving some potential LZs in the cone until right before impact. Loadmasters ensure that all cargo is airworthy, and final equipment and communications checks are performed.

Coordination and communication must be established between each aircraft, crew, and USAR team with their counterparts at the Air Operations Branch at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), each group’s chain of command, the incident management teams (IMT), and any other stakeholder who may have equities in the mission.

As time is of the essence, training and exercise is essential in shortening the time spent mobilizing and preparing for air operations missions. These teams are expected to be expeditiously mobilized to a designated LZ, airlifted and inserted into their area of operation, conduct recon and search missions, rescue and extract survivors, and return to their

base of operations at the end of their operational period. Above and beyond the already highly specialized training required for all involved, air operations missions require additional skills that will allow these groups to work and operate safely while they are inserted into devastated areas and are beyond the reach of any ground-based support.

Just as these assets must be prepared for air operations missions at a moment’s notice, the leaders and decision-makers who authorize and plan these missions must do the same. They

•

ha

vi

s

rs

Di

l

•

need to anticipate the needs of a disaster and develop an air operation plan early in the process, before impact if possible. This plan must then be approved by the leadership from all agencies involved and then put into motion. Just as training and exercise benefitted the pilots, crew, and rescuers who execute air operations . Chapp ott H ell Sc missions, the planners and leaders must train to move efficiently through each step of the decision-making process. The more these groups work and exercise together, the more efficiently the process will move from the recognition of a need for air operations missions io a n M of S to the delivery of services into otherwise inaccessible t a t e F ir e areas.

In air operations, as with every other area of disaster operations, training and exercise is critical.

Visit us at WWW.FFCA.ORG

33

Meet Public Education the

Specialist Nicole Hornberger, Public Education Coordinator, Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District

Describe your education philosophy.

My educational philosophy and goals are geared toward the education of over 57,000 fulltime residents and over 90,000 seasonal residents. Out of season, this includes 3.5% under 5 yearsold, 14.1% over the age of 18, 38.7% over the age of 65, 29.8% which speak a language other than English at home, and 12.5% in poverty status (July 2018 Census).

In agreement with educational psychologist Jean Piaget, I consider active learning and social interaction to be most important. Learning should be guided rather than presented by educators, and a great deal of discussion should be used in the learning process. Group discussions are a great way to embrace multiple perspectives and public educators should create lessons that encourage interaction. Educators

34

FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

November 2019

should value the differences and experiences of each student and encourage students to feel comfortable sharing their experiences with others for the purpose of learning.

I believe an effective educator can reach every student. Students no matter their age, should be viewed as capable individuals who can contribute to the fire and life safety lesson.

When students share and gain knowledge from each other the lesson can be more effective than learning solely from a public educator.

As it relates to fire and life safety, students learn best when taught problem solving skills with communication skills. My objective is to give students knowledge of life safety situational behaviors and confidence in their reactions to those situations.

What is the most challenging issue facing the public education function today?

As with all prevention efforts, it is difficult to

gauge the success of a fire and life safety program. We are essentially teaching behavioral change to every student we encounter. How do we gauge that? What statistic will truly show an event that was prevented from happening? We may never know how many accidents or fires have been prevented by the fire and life safety education that is offered in Bonita Springs.

With this in mind, public educators address the need to determine their effectiveness by providing pre- and post-tests to students to try to gauge comprehension. Public educators calculate the number of students taught in an attempt to show the saturation of a particular fire and life safety topic within the community.

Both are less than solid measurements.

How has public education changed?

Traditionally, the connotation associated with a public educator was that of an elementary school teacher, since public educators have been primarily utilized to teach children during Fire Prevention Week in October. However, as our population is aging, our program demands are changing. To best serve the residents of Bonita Springs we now offer 25 programs with adults as the intended audience, compared to only 11 programs for children.

Accordingly, our annual public education statistics for Bonita Springs show we offered 325 opportunities to provide fire and life safety education. 78.97% of our classes were taught to adults, 5.5% of our classes were taught to children, and 15.83% of our classes were taught to adults and children together. This means that our lessons need to be adaptable to connect with a wide range of interests and attention-spans.

What skills do you feel a public education specialist should possess?

The gift of exhortation! Public educators talk for a living! Dynamic public speaking skills and engaging verbal and written communication are a must. These firefighters think they’re tough, but public educators conquer America’s #1 fear - public speaking! Confidence and candor are important too. Speaking to the public during tumultuous political times, such as recessions, or in the face of government scrutiny is no easy task.

However, more than anything else, I truly believe every public educator should have a servant’s heart. It is my mission in life to care for everyone around me, and I do my best to carry that into my work. I’m well aware of how cheesy that sounds! For any educator to be effective, they must make these connections with their audience and I believe teaching students ways to stay safe is one of the most profound ways to care for another person.

What are some unique aspects of your public educator function?

Some of my earliest memories are of my father working at the Bonita Springs Fire District, visiting his firehouse on holidays, and participating in the many events hosted by our fire district. Long before I realized my dream to work here myself, I rode on the shoulders of the veteran firefighters that worked alongside him, I played with their children, I saw them on holidays, and they were a part of my family.

Upon being hired, the passion my father had for the fire service, became my passion. I was in love with my mission to help the community.

When my husband became a firefighter at the Bonita Springs Fire District, my roots grew even deeper until I became so ingrained into my fire district that I couldn’t remember a time when this wasn’t a part of who I was.

I’m now planning and coordinating the same events I once enjoyed as a child. I’m watching our firefighters’ families grow alongside my own. This life-long familial upbringing provides

a unique perspective on my fire district and solidifies the zeal I have for everything I do.

What do you think is the most challenging issue facing the Fire Service?

People! The biggest issue facing the fire service will always be people! We will always have to mitigate problems caused by people. It’s what we do.

From the perspective of a public educator, one of the most challenging issues facing all government agencies is public scrutiny. Gone are the days where we can rely on the public’s unconditional trust and support. Now, transparency in the fire service is one of our top priorities. Evidencing why and how we spend the taxpayers’ money and offering services that give our taxpayers the biggest bang for their buck. This is a huge part of our discussions around the firehouse and an even bigger part of our efforts when we are out in the public.

What changes do you think are coming to the Fire Service?

Reputation management! And while this isn’t much of a new concept, it’s one that is becoming more of a staple for all fire districts, big or small, across the nation. In most cases this means that the Public Educator will need to step outside their comfort zone, which is typically teaching, and develop some serious public relations and marketing skills! And in today’s day-and-age that means social media! In 2015, before the use of social media we educated 21,964 people. In 2018, after our social media has been in full swing for a few years, we educated 111,713 people. These numbers show the significant difference that an online presence can make.

Social media is an amazing tool to educate the masses from the comfort of your office, or to push positive public relations right from a cellphone. Social media can bring with it a new reputation management challenge to the fire service. An excited firefighter posing in front of a structure fire with a thumbs-up, or another

firefighter bragging about a particularly difficult medical call can damage the reputation of the entire department. That post can bring the entire fire service into question in the eyes of the public. That might sound extreme, but it’s not an exaggeration. Fire districts have a respected and honorable place in the community, but actions by a few individuals can tarnish the integrity and reputation we have spent years building within our community.

What’s the future for public educators?

We are truly in business to put ourselves out of business. The good news is, we will always have a fire or life safety topic to teach. We will always have a population that needs to be more safety minded. And as much as our lessons are rooted in tradition, I’m still asking my students to change their smoke alarm batteries every daylight savings times, we have updated safety devices and procedures in place, such as the 10-year lithium batteries in all current smoke alarms that help educators make behavioral change that much easier. So, what should we expect for the future of public education in the fire service? I believe more of the same tools, but with new and advanced methods. Only time will tell!

Visit us at WWW.FFCA.ORG

35

Jonathan Lamm Named Fire Chief for City of Cocoa When the driver of a tractor-trailer full of gravel was hit by a train and killed, then Cocoa deputy fire chief Jonathan Lamm immediately went into emergency management mode.

He worked with the first responders to make sure the scene was secured, and the injured received care. The train derailment resulted in the airlift of one patient, who, sadly, later died; two others suffered injuries. Lamm requested resources from the county’s hazardous materials response team to manage potential fuel leaks. The incident impacted traffic along a major highway for several hours.

Lamm had been second in command for the Cocoa Fire-Rescue Department for just over one year when the incident happened. He knew then it was only the beginning of a new adventure. On September 27, 2019, Jonathan Lamm was sworn in as Cocoa Fire Rescue’s new chief. “I’m honored and humbled to take on this role,” Lamm said. “It’s important for me to

36

FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

November 2019

serve, not only my community but the men and women in the fire service.”

Chief Lamm received his fire certification in 1991 from St. Augustine Technical College. In 2007 he earned two associate degrees, one in fire science and the other in emergency medical services from St. John’s River State College. In December 2014, he earned a bachelor’s degree in applied science, also from St. John’s River State College. Chief Lamm has an expert knowledge in hazardous materials response and training along with his expertise in emergency management. He is part of the State of Florida’s Local Emergency Planning Committee and serves as the chairman of the Training Task Force for East Central Florida Local Emergency Planning Committee. He came to Cocoa at a time when the city was in the beginning stages of designing, planning, and building three new fire stations. “I was thrilled to become part of moving the department forward with new equipment, new stations, and improved efficiencies for a better service delivery to our citizens,” Lamm said. “As chief, I look forward to continuing the progressive movement forward in anticipation

of the new growth and the challenges it brings.”

Among the challenges Lamm foresees is a rapid growth in the city’s industrial and manufacturing sector. Cocoa is home to SpaceX, which regularly works with hazardous materials.

Cocoa is also part of a planned stop along the new high-speed rail project in Florida, which exponentially increases the demand for fire rescue’s advanced capabilities. “Our team works and trains hard every day to be ready to respond to any situation,” Chief Lamm said. “My goal is to focus on continued training, improving efficiencies, and making sure we provide the best level of service possible.”

TRACK YOUR EMS & FIRE GEAR AUTOMATICALLY Automate Your Inventory with RFID Tracking and Locating

• • • • • • •

Track Your Gear and Supplies Track and locate any asset automatically

“

Eliminate manual inventory scans and counts Cut unnecessary inventory and avoid shortages Track equipment maintenance and servicing Get real-time status updates and alerts View your inventory from anywhere via the cloud

As a result of accurate and drastically improved inventory processes, we’ve cut our inventory by 50%. As for our key capital assets, we now have 100% real-time visibility, and, for all others, we have significantly improved our ability to perform audits—in half the time.

”

Lieutenant Richard Buchanan South Metro Fire Rescue Authority

Zebra RFID Solutions and IntelliView™ from Silent Partner Technologies

Set up a Discovery Call to Learn More 813-906-7662 info@spt4u.com www.silentpartnertech.com

ZEBRA and the stylized Zebra head are trademarks of Zebra Technologies Corp., registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2019 Zebra Technologies Corp. and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

14th Annual Northwest Florida Volunteer Firefighter Weekend

By Mike Cox – FSFM/FSFC (ret)

T

his year’s event, held September 18-22, 2019, drew 300 students that participated in over 6,000 hours of training. Participants were from Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. Firefighter 1 Skills Sign-offs, including their first taste of the heat of fire, lead the practical exercises. RIT, rehab, water rescue for firefighters, extrication, S130/S190, EVOC, engine ops including hydraulics to hose steams, Tactics II, Course Delivery, Fire Service Building Construction, and health concerns for today’s firefighters were just some of the classes provided at no cost to Florida firefighters (nominal fee for out of state participants), thanks to participation and support from our sponsors: Florida State Fire Marshal, Florida State Fire College, Florida Forest Service, Florida Fire Chiefs’ Foundation and several corporate and local business sponsors. And special thanks to Northwest Florida State College for all the help in hosting the event again this year. Many local and area fire departments, as well as Eglin Air Force Base, gave much-needed assistance.

Plans are already in progress for the 2020 event.

Quote of the week: “all the way up there?”

38

FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

November 2019

David Batiato . . . . . . . . . . . City of Marco Island Fire Department Mike Besosa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Boynton Beach Fire Rescue Jason Brod . . . . . . . . Bonita Springs Fire Control & Rescue District Michelle Cechowski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Florida Hazmat Symposium Chris Clayton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matiland Fire Department Bobby Crocker . . . . . . City of Titusville Fire & Emergency Services Kraig Erickson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PulsePoint Richard Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. Lucie Fire Control District Andy Hallums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Palm Fire Rescue Group Robert Hardy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . City of Miami Fire Rescue Robert Jorge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miami Fire Rescue Brandon Lawrence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maitland Fire Department Gregory Martin . . . . . . . . Clay County Public Safety & Fire Rescue Sam Massa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HiViz LED Lighting Ryan McDonald. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Echo Simulation Tyrone McGann. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . City of Miami Fire Rescue Patrick McKeon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medicount Jeff Millican . . . . . Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District

Mark Moore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . City of Miami Fire Rescue Chris Morton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maitland Fire Rescue Robert Pace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Flagler Beach Fire Department Laurie Petrick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “Eagle Engraving, Inc.” Justin Pickett . . . . . . . . . . Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department David Rocco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . StationSmarts Don Rooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Largo Fire Rescue Joshua Saavedra . . . . . . . . . . . . . Safety Harbor Fire Department Todd Schaffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . High Seas USA Lucas Senger . . . . . . . City of Titusville Fire & Emergency Services Maria Silva. . . . . . . . . . . . Useppa Island Volunteer Fire Company Clark Simmons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Melbourne Fire Department Rebecca Smith. . . . . . . . . Clay County Public Safety & Fire Rescue Richard Stilp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Retired John Torchetti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nozzleman Leather Co. Herbert Tyler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . National Rescue Consultants Brian Vogel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chemical Containers, Inc. Darren Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miami-Dade Fire Rescue

WHERE VERSATILITY MEETS MODULAR DESIGN

VERTICUS™ PLUS › PRESSURE: Up to 6000 PSIG (414 BAR) › CHARGING RATE: 5 to 13 SCFM (142 to 368 L/MIN) › POWER: 5 to 10 HP (3.7 to 7.5 kW)

› BAUER VERTICUS™ PLUS – Vertical Design, with you in mind The VERTICUS PLUS compressor system has all of the features and benefits you love about the VERTICUS, plus our multi-functional Fill Station Plus module. This option from Bauer’s Vertical Family of Solutions allows for optimal flexibility of your system. The VERTICUS PLUS allows you to create the perfect configuration to fit your needs. The VERTICUS PLUS has two standard configurations – configuration 1 (shown above) with the fill station next to the compressor module and configuration 2 (not shown) with the fill station behind the compressor module. Don’t have the space to have both in the same area? With the VERTICUS PLUS we can even install the fill station into a separate room if needed. The VERTICUS PLUS comes with everything PLUS, to best fit your station. For over 70 years, BAUER has been the leader in providing breathing air solutions for firefighting. Contact us to learn more about our VERTICUS PLUS package and our Family of Vertical Solutions – When you are what you Breathe, Breathe Bauer.

BILL DICKSON

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES - BREATHING AIR PRODUCTS

› 757 -855-6006 › Bill.Dickson@BauerComp.com

www.BauerFire.com

Connect with us.

Flagler-Palm Coast Kiwanis Firefighter of the Year The Flagler-Palm Coast Kiwanis Club has named Palm Coast Driver Engineer Patrick Juliano its 2019 Firefighter of the Year.

Juliano, a veteran firefighter with more than 17 years of service, joined the Palm Coast Fire Department in 2006 as a volunteer firefighter. He was hired as a career firefighter in 2008. After a brief hiatus in which he served two years as the Northeast Florida Regional Manager for Florida’s Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jeff Atwater, he returned to the Palm Coast Fire Department in 2017. He was promoted to the rank of driver engineer in 2018 and is currently on the lieutenant’s list for future promotion.

Juliano previously served with the Eastchester Volunteer Ambulance Corp in 2001 in Eastchester, New York. He obtained his paramedic certification in 2009 from Daytona State College and firefighter certifications in 2007. He’s also earned a bachelor of science in Public Administration from Flagler College and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Barry University. He is certified as an Advanced Public Information Officer. He lives in Palm Coast with his family.

Above and beyond his duties as a driver engineer, Juliano eagerly accepted the role as the public information officer for the fire department. He coordinates public communications, social media, public engagement and media inquiries. In times of emergencies, he is the lead communications officer for public messaging. Additionally, he serves as commander of the fire department honor guard and coordinates the patriotic ceremonies at Heroes Memorial Park. He was most recently elected president of the Palm Coast Professional Firefighters Local 4807.

Juliano was selected for this award by the fire department command staff because of his commitment to excellence with the public information officer program, and for greatly enhancing residents’ quality of life through the department’s community engagement, public education and public messaging.

“Driver Engineer Juliano works closely with our fire department command staff and our city communications and marketing division in assuring highquality information is shared with our community,” said Fire Captain Tom Ascone, who nominated Juliano for the award. “Patrick is innovative in ways of sharing our messaging, building our community reputation and ensuring that our citizens receive the right information at the right time.”

HCFR Welcomes Girls Scouts Badge Workshop

By Hillsborough County Public Relations

On September 7th, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue hosted its first multilevel Girl Scout workshop. Scouts received hands-on education from our predominantly female personnel to help fulfill requirements for their first aid badge and legacy awards. These Girl Scouts also had the opportunity to meet female firefighters, officers, and future female firefighters who currently attend the HCFR Fire Academy.

40

FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

November 2019

Fort Myers to Participate in Risk Reduction Program

By Stephanie Schaffer, Public Information Officer

The Fort Myers Fire Department (FMFD) was one of 50 departments selected by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to participate in a pilot program to build a digital community risk assessment (CRA) tool. The tool will enable community leaders to make data-informed decisions around fire prevention and other risk-reduction activities.

“We are thrilled to be participating in this important project,” said FMFD Chief John Caufield. “Not only will access to the tool give us invaluable information about our community’s needs, but it’s rewarding to know that using the tool will increase its effectiveness and help other fire departments in the long run.”

The concept of community risk reduction – a process that identifies and prioritizes the risks specific to a particular location – has been gaining traction across North America for more than 20 years, evolving with new technology, access to data, and a shifting focus on prevention. NFPA’s CRA tool is designed to help fire departments aggregate and disseminate data that pinpoints where risks exist within a given community.

“Access to accurate data is critical to making informed decisions about where to focus efforts and resources,” said Karen Berard-Reed, community risk reduction strategist at NFPA. “While many fire departments have struggled to work with data sets, NFPA’s CRA tool will do the complex work behind the scenes allowing stakeholders to create effective community risk reduction plans within their jurisdictions.”

FMFD will receive access to a digital risk visualization dashboard powered by mySidewalk, an innovative community intelligence platform that employs local and national data to guide planning around fire and life safety initiatives.

FMFD will have access to a personalized dashboard for the community through November of 2020. The award covers the cost of the dashboard, training and networking opportunities with other participating fire departments and is valued at more than $7,000.

The CRA dashboard will help participating departments identify local risks to life and property, highlight underlying conditions that may contribute to those risks, develop CRR data-informed plans and share findings with stakeholders.

Palm Bay - New Hire Extrication Training

By Anthony Gianantonio, Deputy Chief

In August, Palm Bay Fire Rescue put six new hires through a two-week orientation as part of their on-boarding process. They had classroom sessions that covered rules, regulations, procedures, and guidelines. Some skills sessions tasked the group with individual operational skills and team functional skills. All candidates encouraged each other during their physical training and became a cohesive team by the end of their orientation. They particularly enjoyed extrication day, where they were trained on the use of both the battery operated and the hydraulic tools. They also were trained on the stabilization jack system utilized in the department. This group was released to duty with their station and shift assignments presented to them at a badge pinning on their final day of orientation.

Pinellas Park High School TEEN CERT

By Brad Dykens, Community Preparedness & Life Safety Coordinator

CERT Program Manager students from Pinellas Park High School First Responders Academy in Pinellas County, Florida, recently received their TEEN CERT equipment bags.

The TEEN CERT student program, which is sponsored by the City of Seminole CERT, is in its first year of existence. Operating as a learning component of the high school’s First Responder Academy, the students learn search and rescue and first aid skills, disaster preparedness, and emergency incident command. The students also serve at school functions as a safety presence helping with first aid and other non-hazardous assistance alongside their adult teachers.

Students that graduate the PPHS First Responder Academy seek careers in law enforcement, the fire service, and the military.

The TEEN CERT bags, donated by Volunteer Florida, included: a high visibility vest, hardhat, gloves, and other personal protective equipment.

Dale Koning, a retired City of Seminole firefighter and instructor at PPHS, is the program’s teacher sponsor.

By Tara Cardoso, Community Education & Communications Team

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue celebrated 35 years of service to the community in October 2019 and also shared some vital fire safety messages in honor of National Fire Prevention Week.

PBCFR held a free family safety and educational event for the public at its headquarters in West Palm Beach.

Firefighters simulated a high angle rescue off the side of a building along with our fire department response to a twostory house fire. The Punishers, PBCFR’s nationally recognized extrication team, showed everyone how the “Jaws of Life” are used to cut cars apart to rescue victims after a vehicle accident. Firefighter-paramedics also demonstrated how we treat and save cardiac arrest patients. As attendees mingled through the demonstrations and truck displays, fire rescue personnel informed them of the importance of having working smoke alarms in homes, practicing home escape drills with family members, and knowing two ways out of each room in the event of a fire. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue invited back its founding father, Chief Herman W. Brice, to see the success of the department he created 35 years ago. The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners also issued a proclamation naming the weekend of October 5th and 6th 2019 as National Firefighter Memorial Weekend.

Fort Lauderdale Fire Has Gone Pink!

Tampa 2019 Firefighter of the Year Announced

By Stephen Gollan, Assistant Fire Marshal, Public Information Officer

By Jason A. Penny, Public Information Officer

Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue teamed up with Screen Graphics, Inc to bring awareness and support to all those battling cancer. Our pink engine is a reserve apparatus and placed into frontline service as needed. When not in service, the engine is strategically placed at events across the City.

Signage on the windows of the truck explain our effort to “extinguish cancer” and encourages the community to take selfies with the truck, including a hashtag for them to post the pictures on social media.

Driver Engineer Michael Billek was named Tampa Fire Rescue's Firefighter of the Year during an awards banquet at Marriott Water Street, Saturday, October 12. Driver Engineer Billek has been with the department since 2010 and was selected from a group of quarterly award-winners.

Before his employment with Tampa Fire Rescue, Billek's father, Captain Joe Billek, was diagnosed with melanoma at the age of 49. After bravely fighting this disease for several years, he passed away in 2012. That same year, in memory of his father, Michael assisted in forming the Captain Billek Foundation. Over the last seven years, the foundation has set out to raise money for cancer research while providing education and prevention to the Tampa Bay region. Funds are raised through charity golf tournaments, and to date, they have raised more than $100,000. All monies raised from these events are donated in honor of Captain Joe Billek to the Melanoma Research Foundation. Billek has also traveled to Tallahassee to advocate the need for cancer benefits for all firefighters.

The Captain Billek Foundation has partnered with PH Dermatology, a local dermatologist, to provide skin cancer screenings to active, retired, and family members of Tampa Fire Rescue, free of charge. This potentially lifesaving service is a direct result of Driver Engineer Billek's perseverance and devotion to his Tampa Fire Rescue family.

Photo by Edwin Colon - Driver Engineer Michael Billek, is pictured fourth from left.

42

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Celebrates 35 Years

FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

November 2019

CERT Volunteers Install Smoke Alarms

By Brad Dykens, Community Preparedness & Life Safety Coordinator, CERT Program Manager

On October 5, 2019 Volunteers from Seminole CERT, the American Red Cross, and City of Seminole Fire Rescue teamed up to install 94 smoke alarms in the Orange Lake Subdivision off of 110 Avenue and Seminole Boulevard.

Seminole Fire Rescue and the CERT program were proactive and chose this valiant initiative of installing smoke alarms, which were donated by the American Red Cross. Life Safety Educator Brad Dykens, Seminole Fire Rescue, stated, “This effort has made 40 families safer from fire by having a working smoke alarm installed in their home”.

East Lake Assistant Chief Receives Commendation

Palm Coast Teaches Fire Prevention to 7,000 Students

By Claudia Faiola, Fire and Life Safety Educator

By Patrick Juliano, Fire Public Information Officer

On the evening of Thursday, September 12 while Chief Bessler was on his way home after working a late night, he passed a medical emergency where he could see CPR being performed on an individual on a sidewalk adjacent to the road. Chief Bessler pulled his department vehicle onto the shoulder, put his lights on, grabbed his medical bag and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), and rushed to the scene. He was the first EMS unit on scene and confirmed 911 had been contacted and instructed a civilian who had been performing chest compressions to continue. Chief Bessler then attached the AED pads, analyzed the rhythm of the patient, determined it was shockable, cleared the patient, shocked one time and got back a heart rhythm with a faint pulse. Next to arrive on scene was a Sunstar supervisor. The patient still had a pulse but was not breathing so chief Bessler continued to provide rescue breaths. A Sunstar ambulance arrived next followed by a Seminole FD unit and care was transferred to them. Chief Bessler stayed on scene assisting with the incident until the patient was transported to the hospital. Chief Bessler received a Pinellas County Commendation from Dr. Jameson.

The Palm Coast Fire Department recently taught the importance of fire safety to more than 7,000 students at Flagler Schools.

Palm Coast firefighters visited elementary and charter schools throughout the city of Palm Coast to teach students the importance of “Not every hero wears a cape. Plan and practice your escape!” which is this year’s National Fire Prevention Week theme. The campaign works to educate everyone about the small but essential actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.

Fire department personnel hosted interactive demonstrations, along with mascot, Sparky the Fire Dog, at all of the elementary schools within the city.

The students had the opportunity to see a fire truck up close, watch firefighters demonstrate their gear and equipment, and practice how to stay low and crawl and Stop, Drop, & Roll.

In November of 2015, a Palm Coast Fire Department fire safety demonstration was credited for saving a life. A 7-year-old student at the Imagine School at Town Center used what he had recently learned to help him, and his brother escape from a residential fire in western Flagler County.

“This is a fun way to interact with the kids, and most importantly, to share information that saves lives,” said Palm Coast fire driver engineer and fire prevention coordinator Eric Robinson, who coordinate the department’s fire prevention activities.

Ocala Marion Mentees Secure Schooling/Employment

By Ashley Lopez, Public Information Officer

On Oct. 16, four Ocala Marion Mentorship Program (OMMP) cadets challenged and passed the Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) at the Florida State Fire College. After more than six months of preparation with the OMMP Richard Allman, Giselle Colon, Kayla Miros, and Matthew Rice beat the odds of the exam with a 40% fail rate.

Comprised of eight stations simulating fire scene tasks, the CPAT is a nationally recognized fire college entry exam which ascertains a candidate’s physical aptitude.

Affording candidates no more than 10 minutes and 20 seconds for tasks beginning with a three-minute stair climb wearing a 75 lb. weighted vest and culminating with a ceiling breach and pull, the CPAT is both strenuous and stressful. By relying on lessons learned at the OMMP sessions, Richard, Giselle, Kayla, and Matthew passed the CPAT – a necessary step toward gaining admission to a firefighting certificate program.

Thanks to partnerships between Ocala Fire Rescue and Marion County Fire Rescue – agencies behind OMMP – participants experience training that is fundamental to the successful completion of the CPAT. Moreover, candidates gain the opportunity to secure full-ride scholarships and employment in the first responder arena. All four cadets have obtained job offers contingent upon successful completion of their fully funded fire college experience from Marion County Fire Rescue.

“We have seen each one of these youths overcome life’s hurdles, improve their physical state, and grow through training experiences,” said Chris Hickman, OMMP Coordinator. “It has been our honor to witness their transition from dreamers to achievers during this defining step in pursuing their career.”

BSFR Promotes Twenty-Five Members of Service

By Michael B. Kane, MPA, Battalion Chief

On October 24th, a promotional ceremony was held at the Broward Sheriff's Office Public Safety Building located in Ft. Lauderdale. Nineteen Rescue Lieutenants and six Fire Suppression Captains were promoted in a formal ceremony, emceed by Fire Chief Joseph R. Fernandez.

As many other departments are seeing a sizeable generational shift through attrition, growth, and retirements, Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue is keeping up with these demands. In 2019 alone, BSFR has hired nearly fifty recruits to add to the agency's almost 700 fire rescue personnel to keep up with the everincreasing needs by the retirements of personnel and to fill already vacant positions. Congratulations to our cadre of recently promoted personnel!

Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant DE Sarah Franklin, DE Corey Lewis DE Nicholas Harry, DE Danny Gans, DE Marc Oulette, DE Richard Alexander, DE Alisha Manning, FF Joseph O’Berry, DE Brittany Brereton, DE Reynaldo Garcia, DE Reggie Roby, FF Anthony Canon, DE Eric Calcagno, FF Jorge Bittencourt, DE Andy Sylvestre, DE Kevin Hernandez, DE Erik Sacco, FF Maurice Slydell and FF Stephen Hamlin.

Promoted to the rank of Captain: Lieut. Steven Lemons, Lieut. Dani Campbell, Lieut.

Holly Peters, Lieut.

Jeffrey Guillaume and Lieut. Brian Ruwe.

Visit us at WWW.FFCA.ORG

43

Osceola County Lieutenant Racing for a Great Cause

By Ivan Mustafa, Division Chief

OCFR Lieutenant Ken Blanton is making great strides in support of a great cause. On October 27, 2019 LT Blanton flew to Washington D.C. to run the United States Marine Corps Marathon in honor of his dad as part of a group known as Ainsley’s Angels of America, Treasure Coast Chapter. LT Blanton, an experienced runner and ultra–marathoner, completed the Marine Corps Marathon in 4:32 minutes in support of the organization as an extra runner helping other members of the Angel’s team who needed pacing help or assistance with their race chairs.

Ainsley’s Angels is non-profit organization that “aims to build awareness about America's special needs community through inclusion in all aspects of life.” Further “Serving as advocates to providing education and participating as active members in local communities, we believe everyone deserves to be included.” Ainsley’s Angels educate, advocate and celebrate on behalf of special needs community members in over 70 cities and 33 states. LT Blanton stated he became involved in these events after having an idea to have his father share this competition experience with him but knowing that “his father’s mind was willing but his body was unable”. Unfortunately, while preparing to give his father this race experience as part of Miami’s 305 Half Marathon in March of 2019, his father passed away the week prior to the event. In his memory, he still completed the event with a time of 2:11 while pushing a racing chair with a photo of his dad. Osceola County Fire Rescue and EMS is honored to have LT Blanton as a member of our agency as he represents our agency and the fire service in support of the community.

Leesburg Fire Department Awarded Grant

By Joseph Mera, Deputy Fire Chief

The City of Leesburg and Fire Chief David Johnson are pleased to announce that the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has awarded the Leesburg Fire Department a grant for $14,969 for the purchase of an all-terrain vehicle.

Public Safety Job Fair Held in Volusia County

By Nick Castelli, Division Chief

Daytona State College's Advanced Technology College (ATC) campus was the site of the annual Public Safety Job Fair. Numerous local and state agencies attended, including Volusia County Fire Rescue (VCFR). Over 100 future applicants learned firsthand from the firefighters representing VCFR about the requirements necessary to become a firefighter as well as what to expect daily on the job.

Events at Largo Fire Rescue

By Summer Mahr, B.S., Public Education Specialist

Cocoa’s Second in Command Brings Expert Knowledge and Experience to Fire Department

By Yvonne Martinez, MPIO, Public Information Officer

The City of Cocoa’s Deputy Fire Chief, Samuel Byrd, began his new assignment on October 14, 2019. Byrd is from Norfolk, Virginia, but grew up in Kentucky. By the time he was 18, he received enough training and education to become a certified firefighter in the State of Kentucky. In 1992, he earned his associate of science degree in emergency medical care and later completed his Bachelor of Science degree in fire protection administration. He was hired in 1997 as a firefighter/paramedic at the Winchester Fire Department, where he spent most of his career. During his tenure, he helped establish the Bluegrass Emergency Response Team providing technical rescue and hazardous materials response to all of Central Kentucky. Byrd also worked as a flight paramedic for Air Methods Kentucky, where he was part of a team responding to Gulfport, Mississippi, following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In 2014, he earned the Executive Fire Officer certificate from the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy.

After retiring from the Winchester Fire Department in 2015, he accepted the training chief’s position with the City of Melbourne Fire Department, where he served for four years before becoming the City of Cocoa’s deputy fire chief. For the last two years, Byrd has served as the Space Coast Fire Chief’s Association Training Committee Chair, at which he was recently honored.

44

FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

November 2019

Largo Fire Rescue had a great time celebrating Fire Prevention Month with their community, and teaching this year's NFPA theme, "Not Every Hero Wears a Cape, Plan and Practice Your Escape!"

Largo Fire Rescue teamed up with their local Starbucks to act as "Barista" for a day, where firefighters served citizens coffee, and shared important fire safety messages at their recent event, "Coffee Brews and Fire Crews".

At a recent working RV fire, Largo Fire Rescue crews initiated their decontamination procedures, which are performed any time a firefighter is exposed to an IDLH environment. This is part of our ongoing initiatives to prevent firefighter cancer.

2019 Safety & Health Conference B Resort & Spa, Lake Buena Vista, FL December 2-4, 2019 Fire-Rescue EAST Ocean Center, Daytona Beach, FL January 22-25, 2020

Advertiser

Page No.

Bauer Compressors 954-746-2504 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Special Recognition for Pinellas Park Fire Department

By Suzanne Boisvert, Emergency Management Coordinator, Pinellas Park Fire Department

P

inellas Park Fire Department’s Tactical Medical Team was named the 2019 Fire Professionals Special Operations Team of the Year by Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners. The annual award recognizes those who go above and beyond when providing professional fire services to the community.

Members of the team include Lt. Brian Davies, firefighter/emergency medical technician CJ Huffman, and firefighter/paramedics Jared Nestor, Ken Huertas, and Tyler Coats. Their mission is to assist the Pinellas Park Police Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) by providing immediate medical care to officers or others injured in high stress or potentially violent incidents like crisis negotiations, active

shooter, or narcotics seizure.

“We can face a level of threat that an ordinary paramedic off the street wouldn’t be able to come into because we have the protection, and we have the training to directly work with those operators (police officers),” said team member Jared Nestor. Lt. Davies added, “We’re there not only to protect that team but anyone else that gets injured or hurt in the line of duty.”

The fire department created the first team in 2006 and conducts annual tryouts for firefighters who wish to qualify for the team.

Once selected, new members attend law enforcement SWAT school, become weapons certified, and receive extensive field medical training.

Huffman and Coats stated that being able to work as a team is critical. “We get a bad trauma call — a shooting or accident, what have you— you can’t do it by yourself,” said Coats.

“Everybody starts to know and piece together what’s to be expected and anticipating the moves of what somebody else is going to be doing,” added Huffman.

Top of page - pictured L-R: Ken Huertas, CJ Huffman, Brian Davies, Jared Nestor, Tyler Coats.

Breathing Air Systems 352-629-7712 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Channel Innovations Corporation 352-694-7006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 DAB Door 800-257-2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Dan Enterprises Team LLC 877-624-1555 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Database Financial Services, Inc. 786-450-3767 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 ETR, LLC 407-339-6737 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Genesis Rescue Systems 850-566-5553 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Hall-Mark RTC 800-524-6072 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Lexipol 844-312-9500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Life Scan Wellness Centers 813-876-0625 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 MagneGrip 800-875-5440 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Minerva Bunker Gear Cleaners / Fire Soaps 888-928-6537 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Municipal Equipment, LLC 800-228-8448 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 NAFECO 800-628-6233 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 National Volunteer Fire Council portal.NVFC.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Quality Emergency Vehicles 352-249-4766 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Rescuer Solutions www.rescuerpro.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Silent PartnerTechnologies 813-906-7662 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Star & Shield Insurance Services 866-942-9822 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Team Equipment, Inc. 800-367-9054 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Ten-8 Fire Equipment, Inc. 800-228-8368 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 VFIS 800-233-1957 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Wheeled Coach 800-342-0720 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

46

FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

November 2019

servicing fire apparatus

and rescues for 30+ years, through 5 locations: bradenton DEFUNIAK springs fort Myers - now open pom pompano beach Sanford

com fire. ten8