It's time again for another Stand Down for Firefighter Safety. But who's got time for this stuff? Last year, estimates showed that not even half of fire departments participated in the stand down. Besides, will one day really make a difference?

If that's your attitude and you still haven't made any plans for a stand down on or about June 21, let me share a story with you.

Robert Creecy came up the ranks of the Richmond (Va.) Fire & Emergency Services, and in May 2005, he was appointed the interim fire chief, one month before the first stand down.

"I used it as a mechanism of change," said Creecy, whose department opted for a philosophical approach. "For us, it's a 'stand up' for safety. When I read the initial announcement, it was '...stay down until you reach every employee.' We've got the guidelines and rules, but the problem is behavior based and you don't affect behavior in one day or one shift. You have to coax bad behavior down the steps."

And that's exactly what Creecy and his staff did for 10 days, with each shift -- 413 sworn personnel, 20 stations, 23 companies -- out of service for one day and on other days, tutorials or online classes over six weeks.

"Unfortunately, we're still having the preventable accidents, clipping sign posts, but our dollar loss per accident is much lower as [are] reductions from on-duty injuries," said Creecy. "After the stand down the numbers dropped and stayed down."

Richmond's stats for 2005 compared to 2004 are interesting. Occupational injuries and illnesses were down to 45 in 2005 from 87 in 2004; motor-vehicle collisions were down to 36 in 2005 from 50 in 2004.

For 2006, the focus of the stand down is on apparatus safety. Richmond completely rewrote and distributed its safe-driving policies. Each company also will go through the emergency vehicle operators course and drivers will be re-certified as part of an annual process.

On-scene officers are expected to be in complete --- and secured -- turnout gear. If he arrives on scene and without his turnout gear, Creecy stays in the Cold Zone and won't cross the street. "You lead by example," he said.

For more information on this year’s stand down, visit the IAFC’s Web site.

Can I suggest a way for our friends in FAMA and FEMSA to support the Stand Down for Firefighter Safety? On June 21, reaffirm your company's commitment to produce the safest possible products for first responders with your own Stand Down for Safety. Look for possible fire or safety hazards and unsafe chemicals and plan exit strategies within your company or office.

After all, we are all in it together for safety, aren't we?

Janet Wilmoth, Editorial Director
janet@firechief.com