What is a "Stand Down"? I always thought if you wanted to make a statement or emphasize support, you would stand up -- either physically or verbally -- to express the strength of your feelings, but stand down?

Stand down is military terminology to cease activities or refrain from normal duties. This week, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, along with 14 other top national organizations, is calling for a stand down of the fire and emergency services on June 21-22. Why? Because as of May 7, 50 firefighters have died in the line-of-duty. If firefighter deaths continue at this rate, 2005 will exceed the highest number of line-of-duty deaths since the 1970s (save for Sept. 11, 2001).

Consequently, the IAFC conceived the Stand Down and received immediate support from the leading fire and emergency service organizations in North America. They are asking every fire chief and every department to suspend all non-operational activities for one day or for each shift starting June 21st and focus exclusively safety. The goal is to raise the level of awareness of all aspects of safety across North America -- in every department, no matter how large or how small the department.

To simplify the effort, the IAFC and its partnering organizations have created a list of suggested activities and events for the Stand Down in your department. A comprehensive checklist for safety throughout your department, it starts with a moment of silence for the 2005 LODDs and includes reviews of safety regulations, equipment checks and other items that will focus everyone's attention on the health and safety of the department. Underneath the downloadable daily activities, there are additional resources, with an assortment of nationwide offerings on safe fireground operations, USFA statistics, and safety drills from our favorite one-man safety campaign, Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder.

The new Fire and Emergency Manufacturers & Services Association's 2005 Survey is also now available among the resources. Not only will you have a chance to voice your opinion on safety and training in your department, when you complete the questions, you're automatically entered to a drawing for $5,000 worth of gear from any FEMSA member! (The 2004 FEMSA Survey winning department is listed there, too!)

I have one more suggestion for the Stand Down for Safety. Take a pair of boots, bunker pants, coat and helmet -- as it's done in tribute to a fallen firefighter -- and stack them in the middle of your dayroom or lobby. Perhaps as your personnel walk around the stack of gear, the symbolism of a fallen comrade will help drive home the message that safety is everyone's responsibility and that "Everyone Goes Home."

Janet Wilmoth, Editor