FIREFIGHTERS-FALLEN BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

EMMITSBURG, MARYLAND

THE MEMORIAL WEEKEND
October 3-5, 2008: Thousands attended the 27th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, which was held to honor and commemorate the sacrifice of firefighters who lost their lives while working in the line of duty.

 

Photo permission of US Dept of Homeland Security, USFA

(As fire prevention practices have become more effective in the United States over the past several decades, career and volunteer firefighters respond to fewer actual fires each year.  As a result of this tremendous accomplishment in fire safety, firefighters must actively train using realistic firefighting tactics through the use of state of the art training props in order to build and maintain their skills.  The constant evolution of formalized response to hazardous materials and potential terrorist events has also increased the demand for very specialized training on specialized training grounds.)

In 2004 West Virginia University Fire Service Extension (WVU/FSE) engaged The Interact Business Group to provide an independent program/business plan to support the design and construction of a West Virginia Fire Training Academy to be located at WVU Jackson's Mill, Weston, West Virginia.

THE MEMORIAL WEEKEND
Travel expenses, meals and lodging were provided by private donations for immediate survivors in order to attend the tributes and counseling sessions.  Ready to lend support were volunteers, and in particular, returning survivors; who through their own personal tragedies were able to provide special support.

Per Wildfire Magazine ("On-Duty U.S. Firefighter Deaths Reach 10-Year Peak," 2000) "Stress and overexertion, usually resulting in heart attacks, continue to be leading causes of fatal injury for on-duty firefighters, according to a recent National Fire Protection Association report."

In 2005, The Interact Business Group provided the Central Yavapai Fire District a strategic Business Plan based on research of several key issues related to the training of Central Yavapai's fire service personnel.  (In 2004, the residents of the Central Yavapai Fire District in Arizona voted and passed a 17.2 million dollar bond for infrastructure improvements within the District.)

MEMORIAL WEEKEND
Firefighters from the departments of the fallen acted as Uniformed Fire Service Escorts to the families of those who lost loved ones.  Uniformed fire personnel created the "sea of blue" Walk of Honor through which the families past as they entered the National Tribute.  During the weekend event families participated in a Welcome Reception, Family Day, a Candlelight Vigil, and a Memorial Service which was opened by an honor guard and a bagpipe procession.

US Volunteer vs. Career Firefighter Line of Duty Deaths in 2008

U.S. Firefighter Deaths By Classification Type 2008
Type of Firefighter	Total
Volunteer	45
Career	25
Wildland Contract	13
Wildland Part-Time	4
Wildland Full-Time	3
Part-Time(Paid)	3
Paid-on-Call	3
Other	1
Total	96
Source: United States Fire Administration

According to the USFA Firefighter Historical Overview (June 11, 2008) 85% of en route fatal incidents involved volunteers.

In 2006, The Interact Business Group conducted research for The Lacey Fire District in Washington state. The Business Plan evaluated options and offered recommends for the best and most practical course of action for providing required training activities for Lacey fire personnel. At the direction of Lacey, Interact answered four questions in order to meet the expressed objectives of this report. The questions were: • What are their training needs? • What training facilities do they need to meet training demands? • What are the cost factors and logistical advantages and disadvantages of creating a dedicated training facility that would meet their near and long-term needs? • What are the cost factors and revenue potential of offering training classes to outside public agencies and industries?

THE MEMORIAL WEEKEND
During the Memorial Service, while names of the deceased were being read, families were honored with a red rose, honorary badge and flag that had been flown at the Firefighters Memorial and the US Capitol.

 

  

U.S. Firefighter Line of Duty Deaths by Cause of Fatal Injury, 2008

U.S. Firefighter Deaths According  to Cause of Fatal Injury in 2008
Incident	Total
Other On-Duty	28
On-Scene Fire	27
Responding	16
After	9
On-Scene Non-Fire	7
Training	6
Returning	2
Other	1
Total	96
Source: United States Fire Administration

 

 

…through research, study, training, improved operations, development of new technologies, the appropriate use of staffing, and other factors, it should be possible to significantly reduce the number of firefighters killed each year” (USFA Firefighter Historical Overview 2008).

 

In 2007, The Rumsey Rancheria Fire Department (RRFD) commissioned The Interact Business Group to conduct research related to the development of a new training center. The report included a complete needs assessment of the training population size (number of students) and the training hours required by the department at current training levels, and anticipated future levels. Extensive interviews with the Project Team were held in person and via telephone. Interact also identified federal, state, and local fire training standards and incorporated these into the needs assessment.

 

THE MEMORIAL WEEKEND
To signify that the Fallen Firefighters were now “returned to quarters,” the Presidential Wreath was placed on the Memorial, while a soulful bagpipe played.  In closing, the Honor Guard rang out the time-honored homage of 5-5-5.

 We’re here for you…

INTERACT BUSINESS GROUP’S Strategic Business Plan: Today, the need is obviously greater than ever before, for fire districts to seriously reevaluate their training facilities, requirements, methods and strategies, in order to better equip their firefighting population.

We believe it is never too late to do something better, and it is our challenge and goal to help public and private municipalities realize their dream of providing their firefighters with the best possible training. With our Business Plan we provide the most up to date, succinct information possible, to provide our clients with the facts they need to move forward to plan, fund and build their state of the art public safety training centers.

Tightening of training budgets, increased requirements, environmental concerns, aged facilities and co-location are resulting in a review of training facilities and capabilities. We assist the planning and decision process by providing agencies with a completely unique Business Plan Process©. It's a product of research and years of successful projects. We have developed Business Plans for small departments to large multi-municipal government agencies for over 15 years.

Contact us today with your dreams for improving your firefighter training, so together we can work to reduce the number of firefighter deaths both now and in the years to come. Let’s work together so that a firefighter’s “return to quarters” is no longer a sad lament, but rather a joyful reunion of friends and families, now and in the years to come.