Post by opsoverkill on Jan 29, 2008 8:25:01 GMT -5
I thought we had a thread already with this topic. But could not find it.
Nice reminder that the pledge is working and What I think is a great policy on seatbelt use!! It would push me to take that extra second to ensure everyone is belted including myself.
from Canada, the Maple Ridge FD rolled an engine this weekend as they were responding to an MVA. While responding in their 20 year old Mack cabover canopy cab pumper, they hit a patch of black ice, slid onto a soft shoulder and rolled on its side crashing into a pole where it came to rest. The MRFD has a strictly enforced "non-democratic" (see below) seat belt policy-no one got hurt. The rig has been written off but no caskets have been ordered. The "strict" Chief was interviewed on camera and spoke to the strict seat belt policy they have in place...he was clearly emotional when interviewed, but his strict policy saved his members from death/serious injury and some kids from becoming daddy-less and mommy-less. The rig is mush - the members are home. Ordering new apparatus is fun when there are no hospitals or funerals prior to that. We'll have more details and pics of this crash posted tomorrow on News/Updates.
Related to the "seatbelt" issue...we had a chance to attend FDSOA's Apparatus Symposium last week, and if you have never been-plan on it for 2009. It was 1st class and is specifically targeted at everything related to fire apparatus. An outstanding couple of days.
While at FDSOA's program, I was yapping with some folks when someone asked the group, in general, what they can do to "solve" the seatbelt problem at their FD. This really shouldn't be that tough....if a FD or Chief wants it "solved"....the discussion was something like:
-----Make the "seat belt" policy very clear and train everyone on it. Clear written and objectively enforced policy w/no excuse training. Make it clear what the organizational consequences will be to the officer, the driver and the wearer(s) if they fail to wear seat belts: 1st offense suspension or termination. 2nd offense, termination ...and your and your family doesn't get your pension. The other consequences of being unbelted, apparatus or not, should be obvious. If not, show'm this reminder:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA0FRpbJt1s
--The officer must be reminded that an officer is a supervisor, not just the apparatus siren and air horn blower...we can teach a clown to do that, and have. Fire Officers supervise their members and they make sure the policies are clear and followed. Understand that if they aren't trained on and enforced by the officer, that the officer will be held accountable.
--The driver is responsible for the safety of their members. The driver can't be that if the firefighters are unsecured and go flying around in the back like donuts in the powdering machine.
--The firefighter(s) need to take personal responsibility. That doesn't mean if you don't personally like wearing seat belts, you don't have to...no one cares about what you think on this...it means that you understand that when you got the training, graduated probie school, received a badge, got your gear etc that you have figured out that you are responsible to more than just yourself...and that your bosses really don't care what you "think" about the "restrictive" seatbelt policy on the only $500,000+ vehicle you will ever get to ride on. If we cared, we would ask for a vote. No one asked for a vote. This is the non-democratic part. No rights.
No choice. No votes. Nothing but the sounds of clicking before "Speed Racer" up front, starts the rig.
As another reminder "why" ...look at "who is in your wallet" and then just put your @%#$*&! seat belt on and sign the pledge (link below) so you can get this issue off the table and start talking about something important.....such as the fact that engines or trucks with 1 person on board is an apparatus salesman, not a "staffed" company. www.trainingdivision.com/seatbeltpledge.asp
Take Care-CHECK OUT "THE PLEDGE"
BillyG
The Secret List 1-29-08 / 0008 hours
www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com
Nice reminder that the pledge is working and What I think is a great policy on seatbelt use!! It would push me to take that extra second to ensure everyone is belted including myself.
from Canada, the Maple Ridge FD rolled an engine this weekend as they were responding to an MVA. While responding in their 20 year old Mack cabover canopy cab pumper, they hit a patch of black ice, slid onto a soft shoulder and rolled on its side crashing into a pole where it came to rest. The MRFD has a strictly enforced "non-democratic" (see below) seat belt policy-no one got hurt. The rig has been written off but no caskets have been ordered. The "strict" Chief was interviewed on camera and spoke to the strict seat belt policy they have in place...he was clearly emotional when interviewed, but his strict policy saved his members from death/serious injury and some kids from becoming daddy-less and mommy-less. The rig is mush - the members are home. Ordering new apparatus is fun when there are no hospitals or funerals prior to that. We'll have more details and pics of this crash posted tomorrow on News/Updates.
Related to the "seatbelt" issue...we had a chance to attend FDSOA's Apparatus Symposium last week, and if you have never been-plan on it for 2009. It was 1st class and is specifically targeted at everything related to fire apparatus. An outstanding couple of days.
While at FDSOA's program, I was yapping with some folks when someone asked the group, in general, what they can do to "solve" the seatbelt problem at their FD. This really shouldn't be that tough....if a FD or Chief wants it "solved"....the discussion was something like:
-----Make the "seat belt" policy very clear and train everyone on it. Clear written and objectively enforced policy w/no excuse training. Make it clear what the organizational consequences will be to the officer, the driver and the wearer(s) if they fail to wear seat belts: 1st offense suspension or termination. 2nd offense, termination ...and your and your family doesn't get your pension. The other consequences of being unbelted, apparatus or not, should be obvious. If not, show'm this reminder:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA0FRpbJt1s
--The officer must be reminded that an officer is a supervisor, not just the apparatus siren and air horn blower...we can teach a clown to do that, and have. Fire Officers supervise their members and they make sure the policies are clear and followed. Understand that if they aren't trained on and enforced by the officer, that the officer will be held accountable.
--The driver is responsible for the safety of their members. The driver can't be that if the firefighters are unsecured and go flying around in the back like donuts in the powdering machine.
--The firefighter(s) need to take personal responsibility. That doesn't mean if you don't personally like wearing seat belts, you don't have to...no one cares about what you think on this...it means that you understand that when you got the training, graduated probie school, received a badge, got your gear etc that you have figured out that you are responsible to more than just yourself...and that your bosses really don't care what you "think" about the "restrictive" seatbelt policy on the only $500,000+ vehicle you will ever get to ride on. If we cared, we would ask for a vote. No one asked for a vote. This is the non-democratic part. No rights.
No choice. No votes. Nothing but the sounds of clicking before "Speed Racer" up front, starts the rig.
As another reminder "why" ...look at "who is in your wallet" and then just put your @%#$*&! seat belt on and sign the pledge (link below) so you can get this issue off the table and start talking about something important.....such as the fact that engines or trucks with 1 person on board is an apparatus salesman, not a "staffed" company. www.trainingdivision.com/seatbeltpledge.asp
Take Care-CHECK OUT "THE PLEDGE"
BillyG
The Secret List 1-29-08 / 0008 hours
www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com
