Safety, Health and Survival Week—one of three components of the New Fire/EMS Safety Support System

The Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week—formerly known as the Safety Stand Down—is now one of three components of the new comprehensive Fire/EMS Safety Support System, developed this year by the IAFC’s Safety, Health and Survival Section. Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week is scheduled for June 22–28, 2008.

The Fire/EMS Safety Support System’s three components include:

1. Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week (June 22-28, 2008)
2. Safety, Health and Survival Take 5 Safety Drills
3. FIRE/EMS Stand Down: Priority Survival Notification

The week will be devoted to reviewing safety policies, evaluating the progress of existing initiatives and discussing health and fitness. Fire/EMS personnel should make a concerted effort to correct safety deficiencies and to provide training, particularly on the safety items pointed out in near-miss events.

Another component of the program will utilize a series of Safety, Health and Survival bulletins each month called “Take 5 for Safety.” These prepackaged 5-minute safety drills will be posted on www.iafc.org and www.iafcsafety.org starting in January 2008. Each month, a different topic will be covered to ensure pertinent topics are addressed during the year.

The third component is the “FIRE/EMS Stand Down: Priority Survival Notifications.” These are the red alert/lookouts for major emergency safety issues that arise during the year. Priority Survival Notifications will be emailed to all IAFC members to explain the need for immediate action to ensure the safety of fire/EMS professionals.