The IAFF is urging all affiliates to work with their fire departments and fire chiefs to suspend all non-emergency activity on June 21 in recognition of National Stand Down Day for Fire Fighter Health and Safety. The IAFF is among more than a dozen fire service organizations calling for all fire departments in the nation to observe a “stand down” and focus entirely on the important issue of fire fighter health and safety.

The stand down is designed to raise the awareness of the need for increased vigilance towards fire fighter health and safety. With the full support of fire departments and fire chiefs across the nation, the National Stand Down offers IAFF members a day to review and practice non-emergency related safety precautions and exercises.

“We hope that during this safety stand down, labor and management will work together throughout North America to address fire fighter health and safety and help stop the unacceptable numbers of line-of-duty deaths and injuries,” says IAFF General President Schaitberger. “The vast majority of fire fighter deaths and injuries are preventable. We must eliminate the notion that injuries and deaths to fire fighters are a given part of the business as long as they remain at an ‘acceptable’ level. By holding this stand down, we will bring attention to the need to address preventable line-of-duty deaths and injuries among fire fighters.”

Throughout the day on June 21, fire departments will call attention to the unacceptable number of line-of-duty deaths and injuries across the nation. Fire departments are encouraged to spend the day talking about the causes of line-of-duty deaths and injuries, checking all apparatus and equipment, checking all personal protective clothing and respirators, discussing health and safety regulations, reviewing all fire department standard operating procedures, especially those addressing fire ground safety, and taking stock of training exercises and wellness/fitness goals.

The IAFF has developed a checklist of activities that can be conducted throughout the day on June 21. In addition, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides a checklist of health and safety standards as defined by NFPA 1500. This information is available online. These activities should also be viewed as a means for meeting the longer-term health and safety goals of your department and the fire service as a whole.