A recent survey of 2,400 firefighters contributes to the renewed national conversation on firefighter health and efforts to prevent line of duty deaths from cardiovascular and other health events.
This conversation is critical given that 2014 is proving to be one of the worst years for firefighters killed by stress, overexertion or heart attack. The year has already seen 57 line of duty fatalities as of August 27, with 32 of these due to stress/overexertion, and 29 of those specified as heart attack. That’s 50.9% of all LODDs this year attributed to a heart attack.
Source: Survey: Many Firefighters Putting Love of Firefighting Above Health, Safety – Firefighters Worldwide
This post is about our first visit to FDIC Indianapolis. For anyone who doesn’t know, this is a week long firefighter convention and training show in Indianapolis. I was told by plenty of other firefighters that you have to see it to believe it. I have attended some other smaller shows including Toronto so I get what it is about. You bring a bunch of firefighters to a big room and try to sell them some new trucks, gear or gizmos. This is where FDIC Indianapolis is completely different. First, it’s a week long and its big, real big, with attendance in the 32,000+ area. In fact I heard people come to visit FDIC from more than 55 countries. It’s more than a sales blitz. There is live hands on training, seminars, book signings, demonstrations and many famous people there too. When I say this I mean they are famous in the North American fire service mostly but also many are well known around the world too. You will see fire service icons like retired chiefs Alan Brunacini, Billy Goldfeder, Rick Lasky, John Salka, Bobby Halton and many others.