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HYD #8: How To Attract & Keep Firefighters

Your weekly firefighting news! Served hot and fresh!

Author

Brooks Watson
June 18, 2023

Hey Crew!

Happy Father’s Day to all those Dads out there! Your guidance is valued and needed.

Last Week’s Poll Results: 91.3% of you stated FF recruitment is a problem. That is a pretty daunting number. What can we do?

Poll of the week: In this issue, you’ll see many stories about incentivising recruiting and retention. 🥕🥕🥕

This Week’s Highlights: 

  • 🔥 FDNY: Incredible Coverage of 5 Alarm Fire (Video)

  • 💊 FD Now Leaves NARCAN Care Packages w/OD PTs

  • 🏀 Denver Fire Rig Runs Over Denver Cop at Parade

  • 🙋‍♂️ Six stories about FF Recruitment & Retention

  • 🐢 FFs Save Puppies From Tortoise Den

  • ✍️ Editorial: 47% of FFs Consider Suicide??

Fire & Rescue Reports 🔥

FDNY Extra-Alarm in High-Def!!

This has to be the best (fire fan/buff/media) coverage of an outside fire I’ve ever seen. I watched most of this 94 minute video. There’s a lot to be said about what happens on scene, but in general it’s great coverage of the frontline. I wish the command on scene had live access to the perspective of the guy capturing the fire.

Firefighter with 3 days on the job saves driver after car hits guardrail.

Shane Stevenson was on his way to work at the Manchester-by-the-Sea Fire Department when he rolled up on the crash. Witnesses said the driver was trapped in the car and three good Samaritans were trying to get him out.

Denver police officer undergoes surgery to save leg after he was hit by firetruck during Nuggets parade.

The sergeant was protecting fans from the firetruck and was pulled under the wheels, said Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas. Brutal.

7 Kansas City firefighters injured battling large warehouse fire

Seven firefighters were injured as firefighters from dozens of units battled a fire that consumed a Kansas City wood pallet-building business.

fox4kc.com/news/kansas-city-firefighters-fight-large-warehouse-fire

Prevention? Firefighters add naloxone to leave-behind kits for treating opioid overdoses.

Will leaving Narcan with patients for future OD’s reduce call volume?

Quick Water:

Feel Good Stories 🔥

Dog Rescued by Firefighters After Jumping 34 Feet From Tower.

A dog in Connecticut took an epic tumble at a state park earlier this week, prompting a harrowing rescue by firefighters. Firefighters save dog following dangerous jump.

Firefighters save two puppies stuck in a tortoise’s den by tempting it with watermelon.

Wildland Only 🌲🔥

Firefighters in Canada are spread thin because of the hundreds of wildfires

Fire crews in Canada are getting foreign reinforcements as the country deals with its worst-ever start to wildfire season. Many of the fires are in remote areas and could burn for months.

Hot Shots:

  • 🌲 Wildfires hit Northern Ireland. 96 fires this week (Gorse, IR)

  • 🛰️ US DOD sends satelite data to assist Canada Fires (US MIL)

  • 🚁 Unmanned wildland firefighting helicopters take off (Tech)

Health & Wellness ❤️‍🩹

EDITORIAL: 47% Suicidal Ideation??

A recent article about the Knoxville Fire Department’s focus on mental health, referenced a study that makes some pretty outrageous claims about firefighters. The article references the study and states “…47 percent considered suicide, 19 percent made plans for an attempt and 16 percent went through with the attempt”. Can this be correct?

While the fire service (in general) is undergoing major mental health challenges, to imply that nearly half of all firefighters have suicidal ideation is irresponsible. The study states its own limitations; specifically that the study utilized a cross-sectional convenience sample.

Using a convenience sample of firefighters for a study on suicidal thoughts and behaviors can be misleading because it only includes those who are readily available or willing to participate, potentially distorting the true prevalence rates and painting an incomplete picture of the issue.

The mental health fire burning today is bad enough. We don’t need to throw gasoline on it.

On this Father’s Day, we can take the lead on addressing mental health in our own departments by ensuring that those who do struggle have a place to seek help.

If you need a resource see below. ⬇️

Mental Health Resource? It’s surprising how many firefighters are unaware of this mental health resource from NVFC: Share The Load

A new Tennessee law will help firefighters gain access to PTSD treatment.

Firefighters and other first responders often see things the public couldn't even fathom. Those traumatic scenes can stick with them for years.

RECRUITMENT 🙋‍♂️

Volunteer firefighters are getting older. It could be a life-or-death issue!

With fewer young people joining their local volunteer fire departments, there may not be a fire crew nearby when you need one.

Fire chief says more firefighters and bigger budget needed - Austin Monitor

Austin Fire Chief Joel Baker gave Mayor Kirk Watson and City Council his proposed road map for reducing overtime expenditures in the department, and it involves a bigger budget and more firefighters.

Solving The Recruitment Crisis: This week several municipalities announced incentives for retaining volunteers or attracting news firefighters.

This was a little heavy for Father’s Day, but we’re used to tough things.

Also, a shout out to all those fathers and sons who don’t have the best relationship. It’s not always a happy day for everyone.

Stay connected and stay vigilant for those suffering.

Be the source!