SAFER Meeting Minutes
October 21, 2016
SAFER Board Attendees: President Fortman, Weise, Seely, Quinn, Alvarado, Past President Duran, Vender liaison Sposato
Los Angeles Fire Department
Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center
0900 – 0945 Vender Display on drill deck
0945 Meeting called to order – B/C President Fortman (Batt 13) welcomed SAFER and opened the meeting with an update on the LAFD department, led the flag salute and moment of silence to remember our fallen brothers and sisters in the fire, police and military. Thanks to LAFD for use of the facility and President Fortman for hospitality.
SAFER email : SAFER.Members@gmail.com, twitter, facebook etc.
1000 – 1130 Presentation – Assistant Chief Corey Rose -“Firefighter Behavioral Health”
Program: Firefighter Behavioral Health
Assistant Chief Corey Rose – “Emergency Medical Services Bureau”
(Working on Masters in Organizational Psychology)
corey.rose@lacity.org
Chief Rose related his “near death experience” during an entrapment event at the “KING FIRE”- (Sept 17, 2014, Northern California near Lake Tahoe). He was assigned as ‘STRUCTURE PROTECTION BRANCH” on a management team. He produced a series of photographs of the fire progression towards his position and related what was going through his mind that contributed to his decisions. The experience struck home with the Chief and became a motivating factor in his pursuit of firefighter stress and behavioral health to help. He related the incidents of suicides within the fire service community and the PTSD phenomenon.
Decision’s under stress:
How?
Stay Calm
Think Clearly
NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER!!!!
There are times when quitting looks good, defeat inescapable and retreat the only option.
PowerPoint by AC Rose - “Can’t Take it Anymore? Keeping Firefighters Happy: An Inside Job
10%ers:
Little empirical data is available regarding FF/EMS suicides.
Family issues and work issues combined
Risk Factors:
Divorce
Trauma
Stress
Sudden Fame
Suicide
Suicide Motivation:
Loss/change in important relationship
Avoid or end perceived pain
Escape an intolerable situation
Etc.
Indirect Suicide Indicators:
Buying a weapon
Indirect Verbal cues:
I cant do this anymore
Im tired of life
Etc.
Direct Verbal Cues:
I’m tired of life
I’m going to kill myself
Etc.
Resilience “ Psych & Behavioral Lingo
Resilience= ability to withstand negative pressure
Resilient people experience negative circumstances associated with poor psychological and social outcomes yet despite the odds, the end up healthy and productive:
Mentally ill or abusive parents
Deprived social or economic conditions
Major stressful events
Related to:
Biology – temperament, emotions etc.
Attachment
Control
90% of the population lacks traits to be emergency responders.
“Adrenaline Junkies”:
Control Oriented
Attentive to detail
Traditional
Strong Role Identity
Action Oriented
Risk Takers
Highly Dedicated
Emergency Services - Stressful?
Most Stressful Jobs: Firefighter is #1
FF’s will seek clergy over professional mental health by 40.9% over 7.4%
FFs tend to have positive views about the world despite continued exposure to traumatic events.
Stress in EMS Providers:
1,600 EMT’s and Medics surveyed
100% reported exposure to traumatic events
PTSD incidence lower than general population.
Immune to stress?
FFs are human
They are highly effective on the job
Relationship Stressors:
Work Schedules – cause you to miss important events, occasions
Loyalty – to members, agencies, associates
Divorce – Attorney data suggest FFs have high rate of divorce. Family, home relationship issues likely related to work.
NFPA 1500 – Chapter 11: Behavioral Health and Wellness Program.
The FS Org will develop ………………
Employee Assistance Programs
EAP
NFF: Behavioral Health Assistance Program (BHAP)
Regardless of what you call it, they must be familiar and be prepared to treat firefighters.
EAP
Began in 1800’s to deal with ETOH problems
Expanded in 1950’s to mental health
Behavioral Health:
AKA: Mental Health
As important as physical health and safety
Left untreated, leads to illness and death
Covers a wide range of issues:
Sleep problems
Anager management
Depression
PTSD
Substance abuse and addiction
RESILIENCE: The Bottom Line:
Problem focused coping increases resilience while emotion-focused coping impairs resiliency
Resilient people are:
Sociable
Optimistic
Flexible
Self-confident
Competent
Insightful
Etc.
You play the hand you’re dealt –
Promoting Resilience:
Leadership
Social Support
Stress Prevention: FFs must have good stress management skills; most stress in emergency services is not from extraordinary events/incidents but from day to day activities and responsibilities.
Stress Prevention:
Ranking causes of burnout:
911 abusers
Extensive shift lengths
Sleep depravation
Etc.
Tips for Stress management for firefighters:
Condition your body and mind
Listen to your inner voice
Never stop growing and learning
Be positive
Have a life outside the fire department
What do we do as leaders?
Maintain an environment of security, of support, create opportunities for success, maintain respect, reward, since of inclusion, allow others to have a since of identity, show benevolence.
Chief Rose discussed “Leadership” and the leadership program delivered at the training center and its availability to all agencies.
Define Leadership: “Influence and motivation of others even in the absence of the leader”. Based on the development of “Trust” between leader and those being led”.
Three Pillars of Leadership:
Ability
Integrity
Benevolence
Servant Leader
Transitional Leader
*PowerPoint Presentation, Check Sheets and Test parameters available from presenters upon request.
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Business Meeting:
Dues: Please pay annual dues per website fee schedule.
1130 -1200 Roundtable
Roundtable:
Dick Weise: Related recent NFPA Committee activity, expressed appreciation of the SAFER org.
Scott Quinn Capt II – LAFD : Heat / Ilness prevention program completed, completing Drill tower classes.
Ells Fortman BC LAFD formed an equipment committee to contribute to future purchases
Alvarado Long Beach FD: Related appreciation of SAFER as imormation source.
Tony Duran LACoFD (Retired) Now with Ammonia Institute, giving training nationally and in South America.
Treasures report: $
Reminds all to pay dues online to support the organization.
Jim Cleary: PlymoVent – Related the hazards of diesel exhaust.
Mike Slaggs – Related some info on the recent roll-over accident in Ventura County FD. Discussed his extraction cart system demonstrated below.
McGee - Torrance Fire – Discussed the problems with pathogens migration into the work place (change gear outside station, polished concrete floors instead of carpet.
ScottCalFire Riverside; Related he is the new Safety Officer for CalFire Riverside. Related the efforts they have undertaken on behalf of FF health and safety.
Joe Sposado – Vender LiasonAllStar Fire: Related the recent Fire Tech Reno event. NFPA Standard on SCBAs: A change to the “Sound” requirement will increase the volume of the alert feature. All new MUST comply, those already in service MAY update. Chicago is changing over to the ORCO spec PPE.
Jack Kolta -Pt Mago – Fed Fire Ventura County – San Nicolas Island, New Fire Chief, related the Island has no diesel fuel – uses JP 5 to fuel apparatus.
Jim Black –
B/C – Ventura County – Related the support VCoFD received during the LODD funeral for their firefighter killed in roll-over accident was exceptional.
Eric Higgins Laundry Extractors systems – Related his company supplies, installs and services extractors in support of NFPA 1851 requirements.
Scott Periguin – Best Way Laundry – Looking to include bar-codes to interface with PPE to properly match wash cycles.
Lazaro Martinez Cascade Fire Equipment – Wildland PPE out of Medford Oregon will have booth at Firehouse world.
Bren Cohee – Christian Bros – Diesel Exhaust Installation Company Rep for Nederman.
Kirk Owen - Veridian Fire Protective Gear - NFPA PPE committee, CalOSHA will be adapting NFPA 1851 as a recognized standard for SCAM.
Luois Garcia Western States Fire Equipment –
Tracy Fire Equipment – Local company
Tom Martin – Atwood-Prior, Inc. – Manufactures representative for several companies.
LN Curtis Next meeting
Long Beach FD next meeting: Long Beach Fire Headquarters
3205 N Lakewood Blvd
Long Beach, CA90808
“FD/LEO Command Operations” – Fire Chief Ed Hadfield
Rincon FD & Firetown Training Specialist
Please RSVP to John Price at MES for a lunch head count by 11/16/16
Meeting Attendees (Sign-ins) 21-Oct-16
First Name Last Name Agency/Company Email Address
Tony Duran LACoFD, ret./ASTI Firetiger2013-SAFER@yahoo.com
Scott Bethurum CAL FIRE/ Riverside County scott.bethurum@fire.ca.gov
Shannon Black VCFD shannon.black@ventura.org
Paul Alvarado LBFD paulalvarado@longbeac.gov
John Cardenas LAFD john.cardenas@lacity.org
Chuck Seely Downey Fire (Retired) firebiz@att.net
Dick Weise LA County Fire rweiselacofd@yahoo.com
Tom Martin Atwood Prior factory representation tmartin@repagency.com
Tim McAtee Torrance Fire tmcatee@torranceca.gov
Eric Higgins Bestway Laundry Solutions ehiggins@bestwayls.com
Scott Peregoy UnimacLaundry Systems scott.peregoy@alliancels.com
Michael Schlags COBRA Litters LLC mschlags@cobralitter.com
Louie Garcia Western States Fire Equipment lgarcia@vvgtruck.com
Ellsworth Fortman LAFD/SAFER President elsworth.fortman@lacity.org
Kirk Owen Veridian Fire Protective Gear kirk@veridian.net
Jack Koltaj Fedderal fire Ventura County jack.koltaj@navy.mil
JIM CLEARY PLYMOVENT jtc1roadrunner.com
Joe Sposato Allstar Fire Joes@allstarfire.com
Michael Weisenberg Ventura County Fire michael.weisenberg@ventura.org
Lazaro Martinez Cascade Fire Equipment Co. lazaro@cascadefire.com
scott quinn LAFD scott.quinn@lacity.org
tracy rabe LineGear Fire & Rescue tracy@linegear.com
Bren Cohee Christian Brothers/Nederman bren@cbhvac.com
Vender’s, Manufacture’s and Consultants represented at this meeting:
Michael Schlags – Cobra Rescue Litters
mschlags@cobra litters.com
P.O. Box 1981
Buellton[CS1] , CA 93427-1981
(805) 896-7993
Kirk H. Owen – Regional Sales Manager – Veridian Fire Protective Gear
kirk@veridian.net
(888) 922-9433
www.veridian.net
(712) 260-3547
(712) 262-5200 #217
3710 W Milwaukee St.
Spencer, Iowa 51301
Frank Uram- President- Quala-Tel Communications
furam@qualatel.com
Tel (858) 577-2900
Fax (858) 693-4109
Toll Free (800) 442-1504
Cell (858) 945-1659
9925 Business Park Avenue- Suite A
San Diego, CA92131-1171
Louie Garcia – Western States Fire Equipment
lgarcia@vvgtruck.com
(909) 510-4266
(213) 272-5680
13800 Valley Blvd.
Fontana, CA
Jim Evans – Solutions Safety
jime@solutionssafety.com
Lazaro Martinez – Cascade Fire Equipment Co.
lazaro@cascadefire.com
(626) 255-0433 Cell
Tracy Rabe – LineGear Fire & Rescue Equipment
(800) 466-7574
23121 Antonio Parkway #125
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
tracy@LineGear.com
Tom Ramstead – LineGear Fire & Rescue Equipment
(800) 466-7574
23121 Antonio Parkway #125
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Tom@LineGear.com
Jim Cleary – Plymovent
(800) 300-2945
(909) 720-7064
Jtc1@roadrunner.com
Air Exchange, Inc.
1494-B East Francis Street
Ontario, CA91761
Tom Martin – Atwood-Prior, Inc.
Manufacturers Agent
(937) 689-2222
tmartin@repagency.host
2895 Valpak Rd. N.E.
Salem, OR97303
(800) 545-5678