Marshall McLuhan, an art critic who studied the effects of communication and various methods of communication on society, coined the business phrase of the 1970s: "The medium is the message."

This week at the Fire Department Instructors' Conference in Indianapolis, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the U.S. Fire Administration have asked every speaker to deliver the same six slides to every workshop and every class. The slides are derived from the NFFF/USFA "Firefighter Life-Safety Initiatives" created as a result of the meeting of national associations and organizations to stop unnecessary firefighter deaths.

The NFFF is distributing these slides with hopes they'll be shown at every gathering, workshop, seminar and conference to help focus more firefighters' attention on safety.

Slide #1: Duty and responsibility -- Make EVERY DAY a TRAINING DAY....so that EVERYONE GOES HOME!

Slide #2: Focus on 'FIREFIGHTING FIT' and remember REHAB at the scene!

• Regular medical examinations
• Physical fitness program
• Monitored rehab after strenuous activity
• Eat Smart
  

Slide #3: Drive with care -- everyone wears a seatbelt -- EVERYONE!

• Safe speed -- always under control
• Stop at red lights...STOP!
• Remain seated and belted while in motion
• Protect the roadway/scene
  

Slide #4: The right FIREFIGHTING Strategy -- Offensive or Defensive?

• SIZE-UP & Evaluate risks before attacking...
• Do not risk a firefighter's LIFE to save property
• Closely monitor changing conditions
  

Slide #5: Stay together so WE don't get lost

• Accountability and crew integrity are essential...
• Stay oriented -- always know your way out
• Predict and manage your air supply
• Communicate with your crew & command
  

Slide #6: You can make a difference
Get back to the basics!

Each presenter can add their own interpretation to the slides, but the message will be the same: EVERYONE GOES HOME!

You can contact the NFFF for a .pdf of these slides and include them in your department's meetings daily, weekly or as often as you can. (See www.firehero.org for contact information.)

The Phoenix Fire Department also uses some creative ways to remind their personnel about the importance of safety. A friend gave me a copy of a sheet of paper that's posted above the men's urinals in headquarters. It reads: "Safety Message: Initial Response -- In-Station & Out-of-Station:

• Never Dress En-route Without Seat Belt On -- MP102.01 & MP 205.08
• Captain Should Control the Pace -- MP 205.08
• ALWAYS Use Seat Belts -- MP 205.08
• Safety Conscious Attitude -- (PFD WAY)"
  

These are very simple messages, but the fact is ordinary, basic safety habits -- like not buckling seatbelts -- are killing our firefighters. Most of these "failures" are preventable. So here's my message: What are you waiting for?

Janet Wilmoth, Editor