Why not wear your seatbelt? Does your department have a policy of wearing seatbelts? Has your department signed the Nation Seatbelt Pledge? Twenty-seven fire departments in the state of Washington have signed along with the Washington State Fire Training Academy. Two combined volunteer fire academies in Pierce County and the Washington State Fire Training Academy, class of 2013 have also signed the pledge. With 500+ fire departments and fire districts in the State of Washington this is a very poor showing. You can see the list of Washington departments that are 100% compliant with the International First Responder Seatbelt Pledge by going to http://www.everyonegoeshome.com/seatbelts. The National Fire Service Seatbelt Pledge was created following the death of Texas firefighter Brian Hunton to reduce the firefighter fatalities. Over 400 firefighters have died in vehicle crashes in the last 30 years; 300 did not have on seatbelts.
There was an article in Fire Engineering stating that only 55% of firefighters wear their seatbelts which means that 45% do NOT wear their seatbelts.
We in the fire service know there is a problem so why don’t we fix it? Firefighters are not alone in not wearing their seatbelts. The National Highway Traffic Administration reports that at least 42% of police officers killed in vehicle crashes nationally over the past 30 years were not wearing their seatbelts. They NHTA also did a survey and found the highest use of seatbelts for the general public was in the west at 94%. The State of Washington has the highest seatbelt use in the nation at 98%.
I was going over the 2013 firefighter fatalities and it shows an increase over the past few years. Why do we continue to read article after article around the nation of lessons that firefighters are learning the hard way. In 2013 ten firefighters died in vehicle crashes. Five of the nine in roadway crashes were not wearing seatbelts. In Washington State authorities stopped 11,666 vehicles in 2013 and issued 2,963 tickets. Are drivers being safer or is it the fear of the fine? Is it time to start giving out days off or charging the officer in charge for not having everyone buckled up before moving the vehicle?
There are many good stories of firefighters wearing their seatbelt; for instance, in Kansas where two firefighters were saved in a fire truck rollover. Another example is in Wisconsin. Then there are the not-so-good reports such as a chief responding was killed enroute to a call and hit another police vehicle; the chief was ejected and died at the scene. This case is an LODD where the fire chief was allegedly driving reckless and got ejected because he didn’t wear the required seatbelt. Another example: How about firefighter putting on his gear while the engine was going around a corner. The door came open and he was ejected and died at the scene leaving behind a wife and three young children.
As a result of the deaths NIOSH is encouraging fire departments to develop, train and strictly enforce SOPs on the use of seat belts.
Sponsors of the seatbelt pledge, USFA, National Volunteer Fire Council, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the National Fire Protection Association want to make sure that Everyone Goes Home.
At the end of the day our most important mission is to ensure every firefighter returns home safely to his or her family.
Some tips for safe arrival:
1. Drive with due care;
2. Slower means safer;
3. Stop at intersections;
4. Never assume that another vehicle is aware of the presence of yours;
5. Park safely;
6. Ensure you are qualified and fully capable of operating the emergency vehicle you are driving; and
7. Never drive an emergency vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs or when fatigued.
These are just a few tips for safe emergency vehicle operations.