IAFC Launches Near-Miss Reporting System
Firefighters can report “near-misses,” or “close calls” through the Web-based National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System at www.firefighternearmiss.com/. The new site was officially introduced by its host, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), at a press conference at its Fire-Rescue International conference in Denver, Colorado, in August.
The System’s objective is to learn from these events so that firefighter injuries and deaths can be avoided in the future. IAFC President Chief Bob DiPoli suggested that the Near-Miss Reporting System is like “a virtual kitchen table that allows firefighters to share those stories-and the lessons learned from them-with firefighters from around the country.”
The report is made on a user-friendly form at the site. The information posted from the report is devoid of data that can identify the reporting agency. All reports are voluntary, nonpunitive, and confidential. A minimum of two active-duty fire service personnel review the submitted report. The analyzed data will be used to identify trends that can assist in formulating strategies to reduce firefighter injuries and fatalities. The data will be disseminated to the fire service community by way of program reports, press releases, or e-mail alerts, depending on the urgency of the information.
The System is funded by the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. ■
Campus fire officials gather for training program
Campus and community fire officials from several states and the District of Columbia met in Boulder, Colorado, in August to focus on how to better protect students from dormitory and community housing fires. The event was sponsored by the nonprofit Center for Campus Fire Safety, the Boulder Fire Department, and the University of Colorado (UC).
Attendees participated in UC’s student fire academy and learned how to host a student fire academy in their communities. Boulder’s award-winning program served as the model. ■
Johns Hopkins reports on Anne Arundel County (MD) firefighter training-cancer connection
Researchers from the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have completed a 10-month investigation to determine if there was a link between cancer diagnoses among a group of Anne Arundel County (MD) firefighters and smoke they inhaled during training. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene requested the study. The researchers concluded that firefighters generally are at a somewhat greater risk for developing cancer compared with the general public but the cancers diagnosed in firefighters using the Anne Arundel County facility could not be directly linked to the training methods with the evidence available.
From 1971 to 1979, the Anne Arundel County Fire Department burned waste oil containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) during training exercises, exposing the firefighters to PCBs and other potentially carcinogenic compounds, such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins.
Seventeen firefighters had been diagnosed with at least one cancer, nearly half of them with skin cancer. Two were diagnosed with brain cancer, three with leukemia or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and others with cancer of the bladder, colon, lung, and prostate.
Lead investigator Jonathan Samet, MD, chairman of the Department of Epidemiology at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, said this did not mean there is no risk to firefighters. He said additional research on the risk of cancer and other diseases among firefighters is needed. The full report is available at www.jhsph.edu/firefighters/.www.jhsph.edu/. Some firefighters are in hospitals, and others have died. www.wtopnews.com July 28, 2005; www.thewbalchallen.com, 4782702, July 28, 2005 ■
NFPA codes to require fire sprinklers in nursing homes, residences, and nightclubs
The 2006 editions of NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code®, and NFPA 5000®, Building Construction and Safety Code®, which became effective August 18, will require fire sprinklers in all nursing homes, newly constructed one- and two-family dwellings, nightclubs, and similar facilities. Existing nightclubs and similar facilities with capacities of more than 100 also must be sprinklered.
According to the National Fire Sprinkler Association, the NFPA Standards Council had denied an appeal by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) regarding mandatory sprinkler requirements in one- and two-family dwellings for the 2006 edition of NFPA 101.
The NAHB can file an appeal with the NFPA Board of Directors; however, even if such an appeal is filed, NFPA 101 will go to press with the requirement for sprinklers and a note in the document that an appeal was filed. ■
DHS awards firefighter grants
Close to 3,000 fire departments received Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Fiscal Year 2005 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP) awards in August. The amount distributed in Round 1 was $205,360,839 (2,040 U.S. fire departments); $77,263,366 was awarded in Round 2 (654 fire departments). Fire departments and emergency medical services may use the funds for training, first responder health and safety programs, equipment, and response vehicles.
The AFGP is administered by the Department’s Office for State and Local Government Coordination & Preparedness (SLGCP) in cooperation with the United States Fire Administration. ■
Congress passes FY 2006 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill
Having been passed by both houses of Congress, the FY 2006 Homeland Security Appropriations bill was to have been considered by a joint House-Senate Conference Committee after the August recess (after press time). According to the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Action Alert of August 11, following are some of its major components.
• Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The House provided $575 million; the Senate version provided $550 million. Both figures are lower than past appropriations.
• Citizen Corps. Funded by the House at $40 million; the Senate provided $25 million. The President had requested $50 million.
• The SAFER program. The Senate requested $115 million; the House asked for $75 million.
The NVFC has asked members of the fire service to ask their representatives and senators to support the higher figures for these three programs.
• U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). The fire service would like to retain language passed in the Senate version that creates a $52.6 million line item in the appropriations bill for direct funding to the USFA. It is believed that direct funding would be “recognition of the importance of the agency in training, data, and other support capacities it provides to the fire service and the citizens, the protect.” ■
“ICE” method pinpoints patient’s next of kin for medical responders
An idea conceived by Bob Brotchie, a clinical team leader for a British ambulance service, for helping emergency responders to reach a contact person for patients has been gaining in popularity worldwide. The plan is built around the acronym ICE, “in case of emergency.” Cell phone users would enter in their phone’s address book the letters “ICE” before the name(s) of people they would like contacted in an emergency (“ICE-Dad,” for example).
Reportedly, some U.S. police organizations are considering the idea. Generally, responders have difficulty in identifying individuals listed in cell phone directories because only a first name was entered.
Some systems for locating next of kin already exist, such as the nonprofit National Next of Kin Registry and the Department of Homeland Security’s emergency preparedness site, Ready.Gov. The site advocates a “family contingency plan” sheet, which can be downloaded from the site and offers wallet-size cards for family members; there is space for details about next of kin and other information such as neighborhood meeting places, out-of-town contacts, and other important telephone numbers.
The ICE system may raise some privacy concerns, says a senior analyst from the Emergency Response and Research Institute, a consulting firm for the emergency services and military. As to how ICE may be interpreted in relation to the HIPAA Privacy Rule, the law firm Page, Wolfberg & Wirth, LLC (PWW) offered the following considerations in its “EMS Tips of the Week” Web column:
Keep in mind that HIPAA regulations apply only to ‘covered entities,’-generally organizations that bill electronically for their services.
Section 164.510(b) permits covered entities to disclose to a family member, ‘other relative,’ or a ‘close personal friend’ of the individual or ‘any other person identified by the individual,’ the protected health information (PHI) that is ‘directly relevant to such person’s involvement with the individual’s care.’ This section also permits a provider to disclose PHI to notify a family member, a personal representative of the patient, or ‘another person responsible for the care of the individual’ of the individual’s location, general condition, or death ….’
If the patient is capable of making medical decisions, the Privacy Rule states that the health care provider must either:
1. Obtain the individual’s agreement;
2. Provide the individual with an ‘opportunity to object’ to the disclosure prior to making it; or
3. Use professional judgment to ‘reasonably infer’ from the circumstances that the individual does not object to the disclosure. What this means in practical terms is that where your patient is conscious and competent, simply ask the patient if he would like you to contact the ‘ICE’ designee. If the patient agrees, there is no HIPAA problem.’
PWW recommends that the care provider document that agreement on the patient care report.
According to PWW:
“There appears to be a suggestion in the Privacy Rule that an emergency health care provider, acting in good faith, can reasonably infer from the circumstances that a designated ICE contact is someone the patient wishes to have involved in his or her health care in case of a medical emergency …. In these cases it would be hard to argue that an EMS provider attempting in good faith to notify a designated emergency contact person of a medical emergency involving a loved one or a close friend knowingly and willfully violated HIPAA. Even if it turns out after the fact that the patient didn’t want his or her ICE contact to receive the PHI, and such a PHI disclosure were to result in a complaint to the federal agency that enforces HIPAA, the rule as written provides ample defense to a health care provider who reasonably exercises his or her judgment and acts in good faith.”
However, PWW adds:
“… nothing in HIPAA, or any other applicable federal law, requires an EMS provider to check a patient’s cell phone and attempt to make contact with the patient’s ICE designee. Moreover, EMS agencies are normally not the ones who make notifications to family members or others that someone was involved in an emergency. That is normally done by law enforcement, hospitals, or others involved in the situation.
“Making notifications, whether to an ICE contact or other third party, should never delay assessment, treatment, transport, or other patient care activities ….
“The bottom line is that EMS providers should keep the ICE issue in perspective …. As long as reasonable care is exercised and providers act in good faith, there is no reason under HIPAA or other federal law that an EMS provider cannot make a notification to an ICE contact if they choose to do so.” EMS Tips of the Week, http://www.pwwemslaw.com, http://fe.pennnet.com, ID 234681, Aug. 24, 2005; Sam Coates, www.washingtonpost.com, article AR2005071700879, July 18, 2005 ■
USFA releases report on smoking and residential fires
“In 2002 alone, lighted tobacco products caused an estimated 14,450 residential fires, 520 civilian deaths, 1,330 injuries, and $371 million in residential property damage, according to the Residential Smoking Fires and Casualties report, developed by the United States Fire Administration’s National Fire Data Center. The publication is based on data from the 2002 National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).
The report also noted that 40 percent of all smoking fires start in the bedroom or living room/family room areas of the home. In 35 percent of the smoking fires, upholstered furniture, mattresses, pillows, or bedding were the items first ignited.
Many smoking fires originate in the bedroom late at night when people are asleep. In addition to making sure that smoking materials are properly extinguished before falling asleep, it is also absolutely critical that all homes are protected by working smoke alarms, says U.S. Fire Administrator R. David Paulison. The full report can be downloaded at www.usfa.fema.gov/statistics/reports/pubs/tfrs.shtm/. ■
Line-of-Duty Deaths
July 26. Firefighter Thomas L. Ivey, 48, West Iron County Fire Department, Iron River, MI: respiratory failure resulting from traumatic injuries received in a motor vehicle accident while responding to a motor vehicle accident in December 2004.
August 6. Vice President/Firefighter William Bostian, 62, West Webster (NY) Fire Department: apparent heart attack; official cause of death was not released at press time.
August 6. Firefighter Chris Kanton, 24, Riverside County Fire Department, Perris, CA: injuries sustained in an apparatus accident en route to a storm-related motor vehicle accident.
August 11. Chief Edwin Bert, 67, North Prairie (WI) Fire Department: pulmonary embolism while attending a village board meeting.
August 14. Sergeant Rodney N. English, 48, City of Detroit (MI) Fire Department: collapsed from a cause still to be determined at press time while performing administrative work at the fire department.
August 18. Fire Police Officer Joseph Walsh, 76, Keansburg (NJ) Fire Department: struck by vehicle while on traffic duty at a haz-mat incident.
Source: USFA Firefighters Memorial Database
Hurricane Katrina Emergency Relief Fund for Fire Departments
The following relief programs for fire service members suffering the effects of Hurricane Katrina were announced at press time.
NVFC
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has established an Emergency Relief Fund. Online donations can be made at the NVFC Web site at www.nvfc.org/. Checks can be mailed to
NVFC Emergency Relief Fund
P.O. Box 223202
Chantilly, VA 20153
IAFF
Tax-deductible contributions to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to
Attn: Eric Lamar
IAFF Disaster Relief Fund
1750 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006
The Funds assists IAFF members who suffer financial hardship as a result of natural or man-made disasters. Additional information is available at www.IAFF.org.
IAFC
At press time, the International Association of Fire Chiefs was working with the affected state Fire Chiefs Associations to identify support and assistance needs and was to release the information as it became available.
Equipment Donations
If you have equipment and supplies to donate to the fire and emergency services departments in the affected areas, please work through your State Emergency Management offices. Notify them that you have the equipment. All requests will be put on standby until the affected states request the items. Contact information for your state Emergency Management office is at http://www.fema.gov/fema/statedr.shtm/.
NEWS GLIMPSES
Oak Forest, IL, adopts NFPA 13D. The City Council has approved an ordinance requiring the installation of fire sprinklers in new single-family homes and businesses in the municipality. In addition, existing businesses that offer entertainment and can accommodate 200 people or more have two years to install sprinklers. Existing homes and businesses that enlarge the original building by 50 percent or more also must include sprinklers. The Oak Forest sprinkler legislation is similar to laws enacted in some 50 Illinois communities. Kate McCann, www.dailysouthtown.com, Aug 11, 2005; http://www.firesprinklerassoc.org, Aug. 16, 2005 ●
Companies cited by EPA. Kerry Inc. (doing business as Kerry Ingredients), Beloit, Wisconsin, and Molin Concrete Products, Lino Lakes, Minnesota, settled administrative cases involving hazardous chemical recordkeeping violations with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 in August. Both companies were charged with failure to submit to state and local authorities and their respective fire department required 2002 chemical inventory forms. In Kerry’s case, the chemicals involved were ammonia, sulfuric acid, and nitric acid and for Molin propane, fuel oil, gasoline, pozzolith additive, Portland cement, and fly ash. ●
Standard calls for commercial-grade moveable gas connectors. The updated American and Canadian national standards for gas equipment in commercial kitchens stipulate that a commercial-grade flexible gas connector, not residential-grade installations, be used to connect gas appliances. The commercial grade connector must be used for appliances that “can be moved” for cleaning or maintenance. The updated codes are American National Standard Institute/Canadian Standards Association (ANSI Z21.69/CSA 6.16) Fall 2005; National Fuel Gas Code (ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54) 8.5.1.1 Fall 2005; CSA International – B149.1 Natural Gas Installation Code, current version. 5.21.4. Copies of the “Guide to Gas Safety Codes” are available at www.dormont.com. ●
15-year-old charged in church arson. The boy is charged with lighting the fire that destroyed the Cornerstone Community Baptist church in North Aurora, Illinois, on August 2. The police took the juvenile into custody. The fire was reported to have started outside the church. Firefighters were able to evacuate before the roof collapsed. The church was a total loss. Amy Fischer Roth, www.chicagotribune.com, Aug 12, 2005; http://cbs2chicago.com, article 214084453, Aug 2, 2005 ●
Weldon questions delay in emergence of shared technologies. At a joint hearing of the Emergency Preparedness and Terrorism subcommittees held in Washington, DC, in July, Congressman Curt Weldon voiced serious concerns over what he termed the lack of progress on the part of the two agencies. Weldon, vice chairman of the House Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees overseeing the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security, respectively, call “outrageous” the fact that a workable technology transfer program as outlined in the defense authorization acts signed into law in 2001 and 2003 still has not been developed. Officials from the agency had reported that they were working on the programs. http://curtweldon.house.gov, July 22, 2005 ●
Jacqueline Glassman named NHTSA deputy administrator. Jacqueline Glassman, formerly chief counsel of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, has been appointed its deputy administrator. Before joining the NHTSA in 2002, Glassman was senior regulatory counsel for DaimlerChrysler, where she oversaw vehicle safety regulatory compliance and other safety policy programs for the company. ●
Justice (IL) Fire Department eliminated in economy move. Some 50 members lost their jobs when village officials voted to save $400,000 a year by closing the fire department. The Roberts Park Fire Protection District will handle Justice emergencies. The move was made without the support of the community. http://cbs2chicago.com, 2l2234140, Aug. 1, 2005 ●
Tredex treadmills recalled. The Tredex 6.0, TX 440 and TX 550 models can unexpectedly accelerate and cause falls and injuries. The maker received 110 reports of unexpected acceleration. Fourteen resulted in minor injuries. The machines were sold at discount, department, and other retail stores nationwide from December 2002 through April 2005. For additional information, contact Sportcraft at (800) 526-0244 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or visit the Web site www.sportcraft.com/ ●
PA volunteer fire company receives AFGP award. The Humane Fire Company (Montgomery County Station 84) was awarded $45,486 in the first round of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP). The all-volunteer company serves Royersford borough and parts of Upper Providence Township. It will use the funds to purchase 19 sets of firefighter turnout gear. This is the third AFGP grant awarded to the fire company. http://curtweldon.house.gov, Aug 22, 2005
