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ANNUAL JOHN W. HOGLUND MARYLAND OFFICERS SEMINAR FOCUSES ON FIREFIGHTER HEALTH AND WELLNESS By Andy Levy, Regional Coordinator, North Central Regional Training Center The annual John W. Hoglund Maryland Officers Seminar, formerly known as the Chief Officers Seminar, was held March 9–10, emphasizing firefighter health and wellness. The seminar, which was held at The Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Md., hosted 125 students, representing 65 Maryland fire and rescue departments. Keynote speaker Tonya Hoover, National Fire Academy superintendent, set the stage for the next two days by emphasizing the importance of educating fire service personnel on personal health and wellness. Chief Jordon Petersen of the Murray City Fire Department (Utah) spoke on mental health awareness, focusing on stigmas and their propagation of dysfunction. Peterson identified various types of stress encountered by firefighters, illustrating the body’s reaction and warning signs. Chief Patrick Kenny of the Western Springs Fire Department (Illinois) addressed mental health and cancer-related challenges, such as the lack of resources. Kenny echoed the sentiment of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, “Firefighters and their families must have access to counseling and psychological support.” “The fire service culture is a direct contributor to the stance that this mental health disease is not a disease at all but rather a character deficiency,” said Kenny. “Stand up and face these challenges head-on to exemplify the strong and defined leadership necessary in these trying times.” Amber Leizear of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Training Academy presented on education strategies for working with Gen Z and millennials. Dr. Leonard Wong, U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute research professor, reflected on the growing trend in the millennial generation of
Retired Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler speaks at seminar with MFRI Director Emeritus John W. Hoglund in attendance.
avoiding potential danger and risk, citing that this is largely due to the reluctance of older generations to allow millennials to be independent and self-sufficient. Wong, who has also taught at West Point and served as an analyst for the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, also presented on dishonesty in the army profession that is often driven by the increasing demands of mandatory training and diminishing time to train. Retired Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler, United States Marine Corps, spoke about leadership communications. Sattler, U.S. Naval Academy Distinguished Leadership Chair for the Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership, emphasized that an organization’s communications should encourage participation, new ideas and respectful disagreement. Next year’s seminar will be March 7–8. At last year’s 50th event, the seminar was dedicated in Hoglund’s honor for his contributions to the fire and rescue service. This year’s partners included the Maryland Fire Chiefs Association, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualifications Board and the Council of Academies.
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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute of the University of Maryland is the state’s comprehensive training and education system for the emergency services. The Institute plans, researches, develops and delivers quality programs to enhance the ability of emergency service providers to protect life, the environment and property.
BULLETIN STAFF Editor: Ashley Collier Creative Editor: Ana Maizel Assistant Editor: Lydia MacBride
CONTACT MFRI tel: 301-226-9921 www.mfri.org
fax: 301-314-0752 bulletin@mfri.org
The Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute Bulletin (MFRI) University of Maryland (ISSN 1074-2298) is published quarterly by the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute of the University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742. Periodical postage paid at College Park, MD 20740. Postmaster: Send address changes to Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, Bulletin, MFRI, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742. The MFRI Bulletin is distributed as a public service of the University of Maryland. The Bulletin is dedicated to the publication of information that will help educate its readers on the subjects of fire protection, emergency medical services, rescue, leadership and training. This publication contains some articles and illustrations provided by readers. MFRI does not necessarily agree with information nor endorse any products depicted in the Bulletin. Address all communications to Editor at MFRI. For change of address, send mailing label and new address.
An organization’s large projects and tasks are rarely ever accomplished by a single person. Much like the work of effective leaders we have studied or known, successful organizations have clear lines of communication, understand their mission and have a vision of what needs to be done by bringing people together within the organization. However, when we talk about successful organizations, there is another important component that typically gets forgotten but is as vital as good communication, mission and vision. This missing or forgotten component I am eluding to, I would argue, has helped to achieve or bring about success in more organizations than any single leader ever could do on their own. The missing link is collaborating regularly with numerous stakeholders and partner groups. Far too many times, leaders and members of an organization fail to realize the importance of these relationships and the assistance they can provide on various issues or projects. Every organization has a mission; however, allowing differences in a mission to thwart or prevent collaborative partnerships to form and flourish for the greater good is a nonstarter in any organization. MFRI has been fortunate enough to have collaborative partnerships with a host of diverse agencies across our great state and nation, such as: the Maryland State Firemen’s Association, Professional Firefighters of Maryland, Maryland Metro Chiefs, Maryland Fire Chiefs Association, Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, University of Maryland entities, State Fire Marshal, Maryland State Police Aviation Command, Congressional Fire Services Institute, North American Fire Training Directors, National Fire Academy, Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. MFRI has been able to work in some form or fashion with these groups to achieve many accomplishments in the emergency services training realm, realize many endeavors, meet the needs of our customers and improve our services. I want to thank each of our collaborative partners for their assistance in ensuring that MFRI continues to deliver world-class service to our customers around our state, across the country and throughout the world.
MICHAEL E. COX JR.
The MFRI Bulletin is produced entirely in house. We extend our gratitude to our contributors who make this publication possible. 2 - April - June 2019
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MEET MFRI’S 2018 STUDENT OF THE YEAR Kaylah Smothers was awarded the 2018 Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute Student of the Year on Feb. 22 at what she thought was a county association meeting with the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association in Hagerstown, Md. “She had no idea what was going on,” said Todd Dyche, MFRI’s Western Maryland Regional Training Center coordinator, who presented her the award. Smothers admits she was surprised upon learning that she was the recipient of the prominent award. Smothers was nominated by her EMT instructor Bev Witmer who described her as an exceptional student and leader who is patient, kind and approachable. “She would lead, mentor and push other cadets to do better in their physical training,” said Witmer. Her interest in firefighting was sparked by her father Derek Smothers, who is a firefighter in Montgomery County. “I want to be just like my father. It’s been an amazing experience to go through this with him,” said Smothers. “Having him help me with my skillset has been extremely helpful. He is my role model.” During her junior year at Washington County Technical High School in Hagerstown, she joined the school’s fire and rescue academy. She believes it was the best decision she ever made. “The Washington County Fire and Rescue Academy instilled the structure and discipline I needed to become a skilled and knowledgeable first responder,” said Smothers. The two-year cadet program, which is a partnership with MFRI and the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, is offered to students who desire to be employed in the fire and emergency services field. The curriculum provides real-life training of fire, rescue and hazardous materials skills and techniques that are currently used in the field. Smothers credits MFRI’s firefighter safety and survival course that she attended as a cadet as a transformational experience that helped shape her into the firefighter she has become. “This class helped me become more team orientated on the survival aspect of firefighting” said Smothers. “It gave me discipline and direction.” The budding firefighter was recently accepted at the Oliver Robert Dubé Fire & Rescue Training Academy with the Loudoun County Department of Fire and Rescue in Leesburg, Va., where she is also a volunteer firefighter with the company. Smothers was a volunteer firefighter at the Halfway Volunteer Fire Company from 2016-2019.
MFRI STAFF ATTENDS 2019 CFSI DINNER Members of MFRI’s staff attended this year’s 31st Annual Fire and Emergency Services Dinner hosted by the Congressional Fire Service Institute (CFSI) held in Washington, D.C. on April 26. Founded in 1989, CFSI is a nonpartisan policy institute that advocates the needs and challenges of first responders to members of Congress. (l) MFRI’s Executive Director Michael Cox greets the cadets from the Washington County Fire and Rescue Academy. The cadets, who recently won top honors at the SkillsUSA Championships, attended the April 26 event in Washington, D.C. (r) Congressman Steny H. Hoyer and Assistant Director F. Patrick Marlatt attended the event. April - June 2019- 3
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MFRI AND IAFC HOST 56TH ANNUAL NATIONAL FIRE SERVICE STAFF AND COMMAND COURSE By F. Patrick Marlatt, Special Operations Assistant Director The Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, in cooperation with the International Association of Fire Chiefs, conducted the 56th annual National Fire Service Staff and Command Course March 1016 at the Sheraton Baltimore North in Towson, Md. Over 50 fire departments from around the nation, including representatives from Greater Copenhagen Fire Department in Denmark, were well represented. Keynote speaker Dr. David Griffin of On a Mission, L.L.C., kicked off the program with the impactful and sobering tragedy of the Charleston 9 that claimed the lives of nine firefighters in the 2007 Sofa Super Store fire in Charleston, S.C. Griffin, who was then the driver of the first engine to arrive at the scene, shared the horrific tragedy to convey the importance of evolving within one’s profession, avoiding complacency and understanding one’s role within the firehouse. “You have to make a change in your operations, no matter how good you think you are,” said Griffin. “We have to make changes and evolve in our profession.” Griffin admits that he was a professional who did not know his job. He stressed the significance of knowing your role in the firehouse and doing it well.
“I failed to train myself properly. I failed at learning my job,” said Griffin. “Don’t get complacent too quick.” Following Griffin’s address, the weeklong interactive program featured a cadre of renowned experts presenting topics ranging from flawed situational awareness, firehouse grievance management, diversity and inclusion, financing a local government budget, public information officer (PIO) for the digital age, fire dynamics for structural firefighting and working with elected and appointed local government leaders. Nationally distinguished faculty included Dave Statter, Dr. Richard Gasaway, John D. Rukavina, J.D., Chief Dan Eggleston, John R. Hammond, William K. Northcutt, Misty Woods, Karem Scott-Kotb, M.H. Jim Estepp and Dr. Daniel Madrzykowski. The National Fire Service Staff and Command Course was initiated in 1963 to provide current and aspiring fire chiefs and officers with the leadership tools they need to succeed as they progress through the ranks. Since its inception, over 3,000 chief officers have successfully completed the program. (l) Michael Moller and Fredrik Ryber represent the Greater Copenhagen Fire Department in Denmark. (r) Janet Demeritt from Prince George’s County Vol. Marine Fire Rescue (MD), Corinne Piccardi from the Cabin John Park Vol. Fire Dept. (MD), Tania Daffron from the City of Bloomington Fire Dept. (IN) and Kishia Clemencia from the DC Fire and EMS Dept. attend this year’s course.
FIRE OPS 101 HOSTED AT COLLEGE PARK Thirty-five elected and appointed Maryland lawmakers were fired up at this year’s International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Fire Ops 101 program hosted at MFRI’s headquarters. Attendees included Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski and a host of state delegates, senators and officials from Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. Participants viewed a live burn, traversed through a confined space maze, used tools for vehicle extrication and performed CPR using advanced lifesaving tools such a defibrillator. Andrew Pantelis, IAFF 4th district vice president, Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy and Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford attend the event.
photo by Joe Andrucyk
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MFRI FORMS NEW PARTNERSHIP TO REDUCE LINE-OF-DUTY DEATHS & PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELLNESS AMONG FIREFIGHTERS MFRI has teamed up with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate to explore new and existing technologies to diminish the line-of-duty injuries and deaths among firefighters and promote health and wellness. MFRI personnel, representatives from UMD’s Department of Mechanical Engineering Smart Materials & Structures Research Center and local fire service personnel attended the April 19 presentation by the DHS Science and Technology Directorate.
• Next Generation First Responder Technology Integration Handbook • Next Generation First Responder Communication Hub MFRI plans to continue working with DHS to develop future projects.
DHS provided an overview of first responder projects that included: • Firefighter Accountability and Proximity System • Enhanced Dynamic Geo-Social Environment (EDGE) Virtual Training • Smoke and Particulate Resistant Structural Turnout Ensemble • Lost Person Locator • Datacasting real-time videos and critical data over existing digital television spectrum
DHS representative shows attendees a prototype phone that has the capability to show a live feed of video that can be worn by a firefighter when responding to a call can be worn by first responders.
NEW PARTNERSHIP EXPANDS MFRI TRAINING TO SOUTH KOREA On May 1, MFRI formalized an agreement with the Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters (GFDH) in the Republic of Korea to provide emergency services training. MFRI will conduct a series of programs this summer for 12 GFDH firefighters in College Park over a seven-week period.
GFDH’s Director Jung-Ho Yim meets with MFRI’s Executive Director Michael Cox and UMD’s Senior Vice President and Provost Mary Ann Rankin to sign the memorandum of understanding.
FACULTY & STAFF SPOTLIGHT LEEANNE POIST
RICHARD ARMSTRONG
Leeanne Poist was appointed in February as the acting manager for the Institute Development Section, assuming the position previously held by Angela Bennett. Poist has been an instructional designer with MFRI since 2012. In 2008, Poist was hired as a coordinator for MFRI’s Special Programs Section. Prior to joining MFRI, Poist was a private safety training lead instructor.
North East Regional Training Center Coordinator Richard Armstrong (center) was recognized at the Public Fire and Life Safety Educator Seminar for his 10 years of service on this committee. Armstrong, who plans to retire from the committee, was presented an award by Executive Director Michael Cox and Teresa Crisman, chairwoman of the committee.
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MFRI BECOMES PEARSON VUE TESTING CENTER Starting this summer, MFRI will join the growing list of testing centers in Maryland to host Pearson VUE’s National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) cognitive examination. MFRI’s six regional training centers and headquarters will become closed testing centers for the cognitive examination. Pearson VUE provides a host of computer-based testing to clients worldwide. Since 2014 when the state moved to adopting the National Registry for those seeking certification as emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and emergency medical responders (EMRs), a significant number of students who passed MFRI’s EMT program failed to register and take the national certification exam. Michael Cox, MFRI’s executive director, believes this is a concern that is affecting the number of certified providers available to serve their communities.
Prior to the National Registry certification, testing was a part of the structured class schedule. Now, students are faced with existing testing centers that are not conducive to their schedules. The launch of these testing centers will ensure the examination will once again become part of the EMT class schedule, alleviating road blocks students are currently experiencing.
OUR STUDENTS ARE ASKING, AND WE’RE OFFERING by Melissa Meyers, Instructional Designer, MFRI Institute Development Section
Since June 2018, development teams in MFRI’s Institute Development Section (IDS) have been working to update the driver/operator programs, which include: • FIRE 113: Pumping Apparatus Driver/Operator (tentatively scheduled for pilot release Jan. 2020) • FIRE 114: Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator (pilot released Dec. 2018) • FIRE 130: Emergency Vehicle Operator (scheduled for pilot release July 2019) Instructional designers were challenged to transition the teaching of courses’ hands-on content from PowerPoint-style lectures followed by separate practical skills sessions to experiential, student-centered learning. The evolved layouts for aerial and pumps courses include much asked for online elements and more hands-on class time. Instructors and students will find that new teaching methodologies have been incorporated, such as blended learning, facilitated lectures involving group work and discussion and interactive learning sessions.
in person to fully grasp course material. IDS’s intention through revisions is to ensure that students understand why they are doing something, not just how to do it. IDS has found that many great instructors elicit cognitive information from students while they are performing skills, which is facilitated by interactive learning sessions. Not all classes that implement online sessions will be completely “flipped,” such as the blended approach that is being taken with the pumps course, which combines traditional face-to-face learning with online content. In Fire 113, students will be front-loaded the information online, bringing students up to the same level and successfully eliciting class conversations about theory and skills. This levels the playing field by exposing students to material ahead of time, beginning the comprehension process before applying it in class. As was done with FIRE 114 and 130 to ensure a smooth transition, an interactive train-the-trainer webinar will be conducted prior to the release of the pumps program, orienting instructors to the changes. Instructors will have a chance to review the pilot materials and ask developers questions during the session.
FIRE 114 is the first MFRI course of its kind to become fully “flipped” using online learning. Jason Porrovicchio, aerial apparatus instructor and subject matter expert for the pumps revision, asked students for their thoughts on how heavily the program utilized online content versus traditional lectures. Students prefer the transformed courses, noting that they were more engaged and prepared for discussions and quizzes. Students also mentioned that they could go at their own pace and rewatch material to ensure better learning. Overall student feedback has been positive with reviews noting that the ability to view lectures online provides more hands-on time 6 - April - June 2019
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HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS PRESENT FIRE SUPPRESSION DESIGNS IN ANNUAL UMD EVENT across Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia. It involves the design, construction and (burn) testing of a small housing model where the challenge is to provide innovative means of fire detection, notification and suppression. The ultimate goal of the competition is to introduce young scholars to the STEM arena, allowing them to gain design and construction experience as related to the fire protection field. This year, six schools from across Maryland participated in the event. The overall winning team Dunder Mifflin hailed from Mount de Sales Academy in Catonsville.
(l to r) Mae Smith, Malina Beideman, Sophie Averza, Olivia Fuselier, (daughter of MFRI employee Brian Fuselier) and Liz Akers.
The article was originally published on UMD’s Department of Fire Protection Engineering website and is reproduced here with permission. On April 10, the University of Maryland (UMD) Department of Fire Protection Engineering (FPE) held its annual Design Challenge (FPEDC) for the fifth year in a row. FPEDC is a one-of-a-kind competition open to high school students
The team placed baking soda-filled water balloons on the ceiling of their model home, designed to burst when sufficiently heated, thus suppressing the fire, which it did–in a timely manner. The “pop” of the balloons also served as the alarm system. “The team worked very hard to come up with an efficient design for their suppression and detection systems over the past semester,” said Valerie Fuecker, science teacher at Mount de Sales. “They were really able to go through the engineering design process, as we tested, tweaked the systems and retested multiple times over the course of the semester. I’m really impressed that something so simple which was completely different than their original, more complicated, design proved to be so effective! It was a great opportunity and experience for the girls, and I am so proud of them!”
MARYLAND DAY DRAWS EAGER JUNIOR FIREFIGHTERS TO MFRI Marking its 21st year, Maryland Day welcomed over 86,000 visitors to the University of Maryland College Park campus. MFRI’s exhibit, “Hot Spot for Junior Firefighters” was the hottest exhibit at the funfilled event that included an advanced life support mobile teaching laboratory, residential sprinkler system trailer and a portable extinguisher prop. Fire prevention materials, such as coloring books and fire hats, were also shared with attendees.
photo: Emma Sosa of Laurel, Md. uses the extinguishing prop with the assistance from Acting LSS Manager Timothy Delehanty. Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle April - June 2019- 7
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Indicia
MARYLAND FIRE AND RESCUE INSTITUTE COLLEGE PARK, MD 20742
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LONGTIME MFRI FRIEND RETIRES FROM UMD By Stacey Moltz, Payroll & Benefits Coordinator, Administrative Services Section, and Kim Colbert, Director, UHR Information
MFRI has great working relationships with many of the departments on campus, which is core to our success. Sherry Costello, one of the most appreciated individuals that MFRI has worked with from University Human Resources (UHR), retired from her position on April 30. Costello has worked for the University of Maryland for over 29 years. During her career, Costello played critical roles with several major campus system efficiency efforts that have streamlined the way MFRI works. She was instrumental in the implementation of both the Payroll Human Resources (PHR) System as well as the eTerp applicant tracking and position management system. In recent years, Costello established an ongoing human resources partnership community with over 100 representatives from all over campus to collaborate on human resources system support as well as process improvement ideas. Serving as the campus UHR Support Center manager, she and her team have assisted MFRI personnel through training, implementations and on-going support. Costello has not just been a great resource but has built relationships that will be missed by her colleagues here at MFRI. While she leaves some big shoes to fill, MFRI is confident that she has trained her staff well and that they will continue her legacy. MFRI wishes the best to Costello in her welldeserved retirement.
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