The NFPA Research Foundation is currently working on a study on “Fire Fighter Respiratory Exposure” to address the use of respiratory protection during overhaul and similar activities, and we need your help. The purpose is to help clarify best field practice guidance for when to use, and remove after using, SCBA and other respiratory equipment.

We would like to obtain some basic information about your fire department, such as when your fire fighters remove their SCBA at a fire scene and if you have any guidelines or procedures to protect against adverse respiratory exposure. The Information Collection Form only takes a minute to complete, and your answers will be used in combination with responses from other participants. The results will help first responders avoid exposure to adverse atmospheres. A final summary report is scheduled for completion in December 2007.

We appreciate you taking the time to send us your department’s information on this important subject, and also by forwarding this request to others interested in this topic. The Information Collection Form is available at Respiratory Study.

Your feedback is sincerely appreciated and will help improve safety for fire fighters and other emergency responders.



Casey C. Grant, P.E.

Program Director

Fire Protection Research Foundation

1 Batterymarch Park
Quincy, MA 02169-7471

U.S. Fire Administration Kicks Off Public Safety Campaign to End #1 Cause of Preventable Home Fire Deaths – Fires Caused By Smoking Materials

CROFTON, MD (January 22, 2008) - The United States Fire Administration has announced the opening of a campaign to end the #1 cause of fatal home fire deaths-fires caused by careless smoking. The International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) applauds this effort andoffers their full support of this campaign. The details of the campaign can be found at Link.

IAAI President Thomas J. Fee stated; "Approximately 1,000 people arekilled each year in fires where the cause has been identified as the careless use of smoking materials. In many cases, the victims are children, the elderly or public safety responders. All of our members have been affected by these tragedies. I call on all IAAI members to enthusiastically support this worthwhile campaign".

The United States Centers for Disease Control reports that US fire
departments responded to over 412,000 residential fires in 2006. These fires killed almost 2600 people and injured almost 13,000. The cost of these fires is over $7 billion per year. Approximately half of all residential fire deaths occur in homes without smoke detectors.

The International Association of Arson Investigators is dedicated to
improving the professional development of fire and explosion
investigators by being the global resource for fire investigation
training, technology and research. They have a world-wide membership of approximately 7,000 persons representing the fire service, law enforcement, insurance industry and professional engineering communities.

For interview requests, please contact President Thomas J. Fee or
Executive Director Jason Campbell at the following address:

International Association of Arson Investigators
2151 Priest Bridge Drive, Suite 25
Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-FIRE(3473)
Fax 410-451-9049

OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL RECORDS INCREASE IN CIVILIAN FIRE FATALITIES FOR 2008

Posted: February 14th, 2008 12:10 PM

The Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal reports 43 Oregonians lost their lives due to fire in 2007. This is an increase from the 35 fire-related deaths in 2006 and the first increase in deaths since 2004. Overall in 2007, Oregon experienced 11.5 fire deaths per million population. This is slightly below the national average of 12.4 fire deaths per million population.

"Although Oregon's fire death rate is below the national average it's still unacceptable," says Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Randy Simpson. "This office, along with the entire Oregon fire service, remains committed to reducing the tragic loss of life from fire. However, because most fires are preventable, all Oregonians also have responsibility for keeping themselves and their families safe from fire."

Home fires resulted in 60% (26) of the fire deaths. Vehicle fires killed fifteen people and 2 others died in outdoor fires unrelated to structures or vehicles. Statistics also showed that children 17 years old and younger and elderly people 65 and older represent 44% of the fatalities. "Typically, these are the most vulnerable populations least able to escape from a fire before toxic smoke and heat overcome them," says Simpson.

Forty-eight percent of the fatalities (21) occurred in homes that did not have a smoke alarm or the alarm was not working.

The Office of State Fire Marshal encourages all Oregonians to observe these fire safety tips:
• Install and maintain working smoke alarms on every level of your
home, outside each sleeping area and in every bedroom.
• Replace smoke alarms 10 years old or older.
• Never disconnect or remove batteries from smoke alarms for other
uses.
• Plan and practice a fire escape drill twice a year. Know how to
get out of your residence quickly.
• Keep combustible materials, such as paper, clothing, and curtains,
away from sources of ignition, such as heaters and candles.
• Extinguish all candles before leaving a room or falling asleep.
• When cooking, never leave the stove unattended.

For more fire safety information, visit: http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/SFM/CommEd_InfoandBrochures.shtml

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Contact Info: Rich Hoover 503-373-1540, ext. 217; 503-370-0033, pager Colleen Olson 503-373-1540, ext. 228; 503-316-4934, pager