Willow Grove Volunteer Fire Company to Participate in the 2012 International Fire/EMS Safety and Health Week

The Willow Grove Volunteer Fire Company and Upper Moreland Fire Department will participate in the 2012 International Fire/EMS Safety and Health Week from June 17-23, 2012. Safety and Health Week is an event sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), and is supported by a network of fire service, health, and safety organizations.

This annual event aims to improve firefighter safety and health to give all a better chance of survival during emergencies and in the long-term. Fire departments across the world will take time during the week to focus on the messages and resources that will help achieve that goal.

Assistant Chief, Brian Focht said of the event, “Training today for tomorrows emergencies allows us to keep the public safe and ensures that we can all go home at the end of a run. One of the things we will review at our drill this week is the standard operating guideline related to rehabilitation on the fireground.”

The theme for Safety and Health Week this year is “Rules You Can Live By.” The effort captures the importance of responders taking care of themselves both on and off the emergency incident scene. Fire and EMS personnel will be utilizing the tools and resources of two nationally acclaimed programs: the IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section’s Rules of Engagement and the NVFC’s Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program.

Upper Morleand Township depends on the Willow Grove Volunteer Fire Company and The Upper Moreland Fire Department to provide critical, life-saving services and be ready to respond to all types of emergencies and disasters. With heart attack the leading cause of on-duty firefighter fatalities, around 81,000 firefighters injured each year, and a number of safety and health concerns facing first responders every day, it is especially important that each responder is prepared in every way when the call comes in.

Safety and Health Week provides a time for all department members to focus on the safety and health measures they need to take both on and off duty to make sure they stay strong and ready to serve the community at a moment’s notice.  The event brings together the entire fire service community to help prevent line-of-duty deaths and injuries.

Willow Grove Volunteer Fire Company asks for community awareness and support during International Fire/EMS Safety and Health Week and in its safety and health initiatives throughout the year. For more information, please contact Tom Winterberg, Lieutenant.