The 478th meeting of the Massachusetts Institute of Fire Department Instructors was held on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA) in Stow.  Massachusetts State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan addressed our members concerning the challenges of a post 911 world and his vision of the future of the Massachusetts Fire Service.  He outlined the progress the Department of Fire Services (DFS) and the Fire Academy is making.
 
During his opening remarks, Coan noted that MIFDI members have “a great interest and experience in training.”  He proceeded to give a general overview of DFS and noted that DFS “is more than just the Fire Academy.”  He also spoke about the passage of House Bill 4550 – the Fire Safety Act recently signed into law by the governor.

The Marshal continued his remarks to our members by commenting on HB 4550.  He indicated the law does a couple important things concerning funding.  One, it re-authorized the Fire Safety Grant program.  The law will allow “up to 50% of the money for staffing.  It enables money to be spent to overcome a deficiency in Fire Prevention and Training.”  Secondly, it restored funding to the SAFE Program, which had previously been cut.   “This program is responsible for the reduction in the fire death rate of those less than 18 years of age by half.  It didn’t happen by accident,” said Coan.

MIFDI President Michael McLeieer asked Marshal Coan when the Fire Safety grants under HB 4550 would be restored.  The Marshal responded by saying “ninety days.”

Marshal Coan spoke about the partnership between DFS and the Department of  Public Health (DPH).  They have formed a joint training program to provide Incident Command System (ICS) training classes.  The federal government requires DPH to train hospitals and other health care facilities in ICS.  Coan informed MIFDI members that Hayden Duggan, of the Critical Incident Stress program in Gardner is “on board” to coordinate the DPH program
Secretary’s Task Force on Fire and Building Safety (HB 4550).

Came out of the West Warwick, RI nightclub fire that claimed 100 lives – had a lot of legislative support, signed into law by the governor.  One of the many subparts of the law requires a retrofit of fire sprinklers in night clubs, discos, and dance halls with occupancy over 100 people.  There is also a provision for training the staff of these establishments.  Another part of the new law will provide training and certification of fire inspectors much the same way as building inspectors are required to be certified.  There is  $450,000.00 in the law that will go to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Public Safety Commissioner, and the Massachusetts Fire Training Council to provide funding to accomplish this goal.

The Marshal next spoke about the fire academy.  “We’ve struggled to get a permanent director.  Interim Director Dick Farrar has done a great job.  He’s like the last man standing.  However, we don’t have a strong management team.  We still need a permanent director, Programs Manager, and Instructor Coordinator.  We lost five key people in the agency to fire chief’s jobs because we need to make these and other jobs Group 4 positions,” he said.

“This a critical and major flaw.  Its sad to me to have to advertise in Firehouse Magazine to get a Director with all the talent we have in Massachusetts,” Coan said.  Coan has been part of an effort to craft a bill in the Statehouse that would change the law to allow members with 15 years in Group 4 or have been at MFA for fifteen years to get Group 4 pensions (major jobs only),” he said.

Coan informed the members that the training council is seriously considering increasing recruit class sizes to 72 or more in order to reduce the waiting time for
recruits on the waiting list.  Recruit Program Coordinator Bruce Gauvin stated that “300 recruits are on the current waiting list.”  He informed us that he told the chief’s organization that all those on the list would be out of the academy within one year.   “We had to look at different options,” he said.  “One option was double sessions, which is a  bad thing.  The other was to increase class sizes,” said Gauvin.  “We took a two-day trip to NYC recently to the FDNY Recruit program and we learned a lot,” he said.

Gauvin spoke about the burn building at MFA.  “We need to rehab it at a cost of $1.5 million.  We have a four-month window to do this.  In the meantime, we may do the burns in Springfield,” said Gauvin.

    

New Business:
President Michael McLeieer called the 478th MIFDI meeting to order.
Board of Directors position open.  Barry Apt of Gloucester expressed interest.
Secretary, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, – nothing to report
Motion:  MIFDI to present Bob with a plaque for his many years of involvement with MIFDI as Past President and Board member.  Motion Passed.  Secretary Bogart to purchase - Vice President Roach to present (not to exceed $50.00 in price).

Motion: President McLeieer to send Marshal Coan Letter of Thanks from members for his support and today’s presentation. Motion passed

Motion: Drop unpaid members from 2003, by next month, who haven’t paid dues. Motion passed

Upcoming Meetings – October - Charlestown/Everett MBTA Facility
                                  November – Brookline
                                  December – Newton

Good of the Organization – President McLeieer looking for hosts and programs for 2005
Treasurer’s Report: Change since the newsletter came out – now 138 paid members (104 active duty, 29 retired). We mail out 127 MIFDI Bulletins via U.S. Mail and 31 via E-Mail.  September newsletter cost $105.00 (to Pres McLeieer).

The current checking account balance is $1,923.26 (balance is usually approximately $2,000.00).  Our account is with Eastern Bank and they now classify us as “Business Non-Profit” so as not to have to pay monthly fees.  Treasurer Jardin said financially we are “in pretty good shape.”  On a personal note, Chief Jardin wanted to thank all the MIFDI members who sponsored him in the Pan Mass Challenge in August.   He raised $4,200.00 and finished Sunday at around 1:00 p.m.  The Pan Mass Challenge is a fund-raiser bicycle race that goes from Sturbridge to Provincetown.

Bob MacKendrick of Lynnfield FD Retirement Banquet at Angelica’s Restaurant in Middleton on Friday October 22, 2004.  Anyone wanting to purchase tickets please call Secretary Tom Bogart at 781-334-3171 (Home), 781-334-5152 (Station), or 978-314-1382 (Cell). Tickets cost $40.00.  (See related article for more info)

Old Business:
None

                                                                        Bills paid
Beginning Balances for 1/2004                          Sept 04 Newsletter  $105.00 Mike
Checking       $    646.77
Savings          $ 1,669.52                                  Total                      $105.00
Total             $ 2,316.29

50/50 Raffle = Collected $ 95.00
Winner = Deputy Chief Sullivan $ 50.00
Deposit from 50/50 Raffle = $ 45.00
 

MIFDI Stickers & Pens Cost   $865.00                 MIFDI Clothing collected $ 364.00
               Collected                  $  98.00                                         purchased $ 354.00
 
 

Owed to treasurer for Mailings  $  23.00 - thru October 1, 2004 - includes clothing mailings
                              Labels         $  10.00
                                                $   33.00
 

Total members = 138                                                             Mailings
     Dues paid thru 2006 = 2
     Dues paid thru 2005 = 7                                     E-Mail - 33         Home - 86
     Dues paid thru 2004 = 90                                                              Work - 21
     Dues paid thru 2003 = 39                                                                         107
 

Balances as of 10/01/04                                  Membership Totals
Checking          392.45                                   105 - Active - 29 Retired - 5 Associate
Savings          1,675.10
Total            $2,068.26
 

Thank you for the support for the 192 mile Pan Mass Challenge bike ride with your help, I was able to raise $4,200.00
 

Respectfully submitted   10/01/2004
David M. Jardin
MIFDI Treasurer
Fire Chief – Stoughton

Thank you to the membership for your support.

• nothing to report

The training program will focus on "Bus Emergencies" and provide an overview of the training which the M.B.T.A. provides to fire departments in communities serviced by M.B.T.A. surface lines. This is expected to be an informative and fascinating presentation high-lighting exit locations, important shut-down operations, and jacking points as well as a look at the new CNG  powered buses. The presentation will also include lifting a bus with air bags in the event of victims trapped underneath.  Instructor Vautour promises a great program for our members that you will not want to miss.
 
DIRECTIONS:
The Charlestown M.B.T.A. Bus Yard is simple to get to.

From Rt.128 (I 95), take Rt. 93 South to Exit 28, Sullivan Sq. Charlestown. When you arrive at the traffic light in Sullivan Sq., circle completely around the Sullivan Sq. rotary as if heading north again and you will see the facility is on the right. Turn right on Beecham St. or Dorrance St. straight into the main gate. We will assemble at the first wooden building on the right which is the training office.

SCHEDULE:
0900 Coffee & Krispy Kreme Donuts.
1000 Program presentation.
1200 Lunch.

LUNCH:
Our meeting will adjourn to the Mount Vernon Restaurant located at 14 Broadway, Somerville, a short distance from the M.B.T.A. facility. The menu has a wide variety of both hot and cold items including luncheon specials at very reasonable prices and plenty of free parking in the rear. We hope to see everyone there.

CANCELLATIONS:
During the winter months or hurricane season, check the MIFDI website for cancellations @ www.mifdi.org

I would like to thank State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan for speaking to our membership last month at the MFA/DFS complex.  Marshal Coan has always been a true leader in the fire service & a strong supporter of this organization and it was great to hear his vision and latest developments for the fire service, which have recently taken place.

As many of you may be aware, on August 17th, 2004, Governor Mitt Romney signed into law the most comprehensive fire safety legislation since the Cocoanut Grove fire in 1942.  Marshall Coan covered the highlights of House Bill 4550 which includes an appropriation of $10 million dollars for municipalities to assist in providing firefighter safety equipment and as well as help with certain personnel and overtime expenditures incurred by departments.  Also the Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) funding has been restored and is covered in H.B. 4550.  This is great news for the Massachusetts Fire Service.

In a time where tough economic conditions and on going budget cuts continue to occur, it is finally great to see some good news for the Massachusetts fire service.

On another note, Scott received a Citation from Marshal Coan on September 28th recognizing his efforts, leadership & success for the Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Program at Merrimac Fire.  Way to go Scott!!

We still need ideas for topics and meeting locations in 2005.  If you or your department are interested in hosting a meeting or have a speaker in mind for an    interesting topic, please don’t hesitate to contact Mark, Scott or me.

Finally, MIFDI is accepting nominations for upcoming open positions on the Board of Directors and Executive Board.  If you are interesting in serving & offering your  assistance with this fine organization, please let me know prior to the November meeting as we will be holding elections on November 17th (the third Wednesday).  We have a lot of talent within this organization and look forward to a few dedicated individuals stepping up to the plate.

Remember, this is your organization.  Please let the Officers or Board of Directors know if there is anything we can do for you to make your membership more enjoyable.

Stay safe,
Michael

October 22, 2004, The N.E. Society of Explosive Engineers EXPO 2004.  Holiday Inn, Marlboro from 12:00-9:00 p.m.

October 22, 2004, Retirement Dinner for A.C. Robert MacKendrick.  Angelica's Restaurant, Rte. 114, Middleton.  Contact Kevin Dillon, Lynnfield @ 781-599-6805.

October 24, 2004, MRS Fire Collectors & Memorabilia Show Florian Hall, 55 Hallet St., Dorchester from 12:00 - 4:30 p.m.

October 25-30, 2004, FDIC EAST 2004, Atlantic City Convention Center  Contact www.FDICEAST.com

October 27-31, 2004, FDSOA Annual Conference, Orlando, FL.  Contact www.fdsoa.org

October 31, 2004, Current 2002 Firefighter Eligible List will expire

November 1, 2004, 2004 Firefighter Eligible List will be established

November 2, 2004, National Election Day, VOTE!

November 7-9, 2004, IAFF Affiliate Leadership Training Summit Atlanta, GA, Contact www.IAFF.org

November 12-14, 2004, FIRERESCUE Conference & Exposition Las Vegas, NV, Contact www.firerescueexpo.com

November 14-17, 2004 N.F.P.A. Fall Education Conference, Miami Beach, FL.  "Preparedness & Protection In A Hazardous World"
Contact www.nfpa.org

November 17-20, 2004, Emergency Response Conference & Exposition San Diego Convention Center, Contact www.emergencyresponseshow.com

November 19, 2004, Mass Fire Academy Recruit Class #165 Graduation.  DFS/MFA Fire Station @ 1:30 pm

November 20, 2004, Statewide Exam for Fire Lieutenant & Fire Captain

NIOSH Summary: On July 10, 2003, a 50-year-old male volunteer firefighter / fire service products salesman died after being struck by a rescue airbag. The victim was demonstrating the use of rescue airbags when the incident occurred. A set of three airbags had been placed under the rear bumper of a front end loader, coupled together and inflated. The airbags were being deflated when they separated and burst out from under the loader. The middle airbag struck the victim on the head and chest. The victim was immediately treated at the scene by volunteer emergency medical technicians and transported by helicopter to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead later that day. The Coroner identified the cause of death as a closed head wound.

NIOSH Investigators concluded that to minimize the risk of similar incidents, the following recommendations are advised when using the air bag rescue system;

Recommendation #1: Fire departments and fire service products distributors should provide training to all firefighters and employees expected to use or demonstrate rescue air bags.
Personnel assigned to use and/or demonstrate rescue airbags should be trained in safe procedures necessary to use or demonstrate these devices. Training and education are paramount to an effective occupational safety and health program. It is critical that employees are trained before they perform specific tasks. The victim had not received any formal training on how to demonstrate the use of rescue airbags. In this incident, the victim had observed a single demonstration on the use of rescue airbags prior to the fatal incident. The demonstration did not include the use of cribbing.

Recommendation #2: Fire department personnel and fire service product demonstrators should follow safety rules for airbag lifting operations (e.g., use of cribbing).
Airbags give rescuers the ability to lift or displace objects that cannot be lifted by hand or with other rescue equipment. The following safety rules, at a minimum, should be followed while demonstrating or using rescue airbags:

• The lifting operation should be planned before starting, and the equipment should only be used by trained personnel
• Operators should be thoroughly familiar with the equipment, its operating principles and methods, and its limitations.
• Operators should follow the manufacture's recommendations for the specific system being used.
• All components should be kept in good operating condition with all safety seals in place.

• Operators should have an adequate air supply and sufficient cribbing available before beginning operations.
• The bags should be positioned on or against a solid surface.

• The bags should never be placed against sharp objects or near heat sources such as vehicle exhaust systems.
• When multiple airbags are used, they should be secured to one another and no space should exist between any of the cover plates.
• The bags should be inflated/deflated slowly and monitored continually for any shifting.
• Rescuers should never work under a load supported only by airbags.
• The load should be continuously shored up with enough cribbing to adequately support the load in case of bag failure.
• When lifting airbags, the area around the bags and load should be kept clear of personnel.

Recommendation #3: Fire departments and fire service product distributors should provide and enforce the use of personal protective equipment during airbag demonstrations.
Providing and enforcing the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as helmets, eye glasses/goggles and protective clothing will not necessarily guarantee the user's safety; however, injuries and fatalities can be minimized if PPE is used properly. A clear and effectively implemented policy addressing the use of PPE and protective clothing is the cornerstone of ensuring that firefighters/ product demonstrators will understand the importance of using this vital equipment on a routine basis. In this incident, the proper use of PPE and protective clothing may have provided a degree of protection to the victim and firefighters who helped setup the airbags.

Recommendation #4: Fire products manufactures should ensure that information and photographs contained in their catalogs, operator's manuals, and internet websites correspond with one another and provide consistent information.
Effective communication requires consistency between written materials and photographs used to explain or represent safety procedures. Photographs that are contained in catalogs, operators manuals, and on the internet websites should correspond to the specific written safety
instructions to which they refer. At the time of the investigation, an advertising catalog and operator's manual for the airbag manufacture were obtained. The written information contained pictures that did not directly relate to the written instructions. For example, cribbing was not demonstrated in the photos in the operator's manual, but cribbing was listed in the manual as part of the safe operating procedures. Note: At this time, the airbag manufacturer is in the process of changing the photographs in the catalogs to represent the written safety instructions.

• The Massachusetts Institute of Fire Department Instructors regrets to report the death of Waltham Firefighter Robert P. Felt, active 8 year member of the Waltham Fire Department,  Ladder Co. 2. Firefighter Felt died suddenly on August 27, 2004 at age 33. Our condolences are offered to his wife of two years, Kathleen, and his friends and colleagues of the Waltham F.D., including his father-in law, retired Waltham Fire Lieutenant Joseph Doherty.  May he rest in peace.
• The Massachusetts Institute of Fire Department Instructors regrets to report the death of Lawrence Firefighter Jeffrey W. Ness, active 14 year member of the Lawrence Fire Department. Firefighter Ness died August 28, 2004 at age 45 from an accident in Hampstead, N.H. Our condolences are offered to family and colleagues from the Lawrence F.D. May he rest in peace.

• None

• Congratulations to MIFDI member and Past President Deputy Chief Richard Gomes on his appointment as Acting Chief of the Norton Fire Department as of September 1, 2004.  The officers and members of The Massachusetts Institute of Fire Department Instructors wish Acting Chief Gomes great success in his new position.

MIFDI
Attn: David Jardin, Treasurer           If you have not already done so, it's time to renew your dues.  Due Jan. 1st.
52 Willow Street
Stoughton, MA 02072-1027

*Dues are $25.00 per year for Active Members - Please review your bulletin label for the date your dues will expire.

*$100.00 per year for Associate members (which includes a 1/4 page of advertising in the MIFDI Bulletin and on the MIFDI website).

*Retired members dues are $12.50 for one calendar year (January 1 through December 31).

This forum is an extension of the Guest Book on the MIFDI Web-site, and provides our members a way to ask questions and get answers about problems encountered in the Fire and EMS service. If you would like to reply to a question, pose your own question or submit an article for publication in the MIFDI bulletin, but have no internet capabilities, you may do so in writing to: Michael McLeieer, President - MIFDI, PO Box 507, Merrimac, MA 01860-0510.  Fax # (877) 327-4353.  Faxing or e-mailing of articles is preferred.  Please e-mail articles in MS Word format to michael.mcLeieer@merrimacfire.com

#                 DATE                      LOCATION                                                                                                           TOPIC
479 - OCTOBER 27, 2004:     Charlestown  "MBTA Bus Emergencies"

480 - NOVEMBER 17, 2004:   Brookline   "Homeland Security Training"

481 - December 15, 2004:         Newton       TBA

482 - January 26, 2005:             Merrimac    "FF Safety, Survival & Rescue"
 

CANCELLATIONS:  During the winter months or hurricane season, please check the MIFDI website for severe weather cancellations at www.mifdi.org.