Fairfax, Va. - Today the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have announced the topic for the 2017 Safety Stand Down, which takes place June 18-24. MAYDAY, Self-Rescue, and Rapid Intervention will focus this year’s activities on those critical skills required of individual firefighters to recognize when they are in a MAYDAY situation; the skills they need as an individual to remove themselves from the situation (Self-Rescue); and ultimately on the team skills needed to rescue a trapped firefighter (Rapid Intervention). Regardless of agency size or composition, all firefighters who actively engage in structural firefighting will benefit from participating in the Safety Stand Down event where they can refresh or learn new skills and techniques based on today’s research into firefighter MAYDAY events.
Agencies across the Country are encouraged to suspend all non-emergency activities during the week of June 18-24 in order to focus on training and education related to this year’s theme. An entire week is provided to ensure all shifts and personnel can participate. Topic information, training downloads, and videos will be available at www.safetystanddown.org, the official website for the Safety Stand Down event.
In addition, Safety Stand Down partner National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) will again launch its Fire Service Safety Stand Down Quiz in late May to compliment this year’s topic. Everyone who completes the quiz online will be automatically entered into a sweepstakes; 200 randomly selected participants will win a specially designed challenge coin commemorating this year’s Safety Stand Down theme.
The Safety Stand Down is coordinated by the IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section and the NVFC, and is supported by national and international fire and emergency service organizations, including the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA), the Florida Firefighters Safety & Health Collaborative, the NFPA and the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), who is co-sponsoring the Safety Stand Down along with their Safe + Sound Week activities during the week of June 12-18, 2017.
About the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
The IAFC represents the leadership of firefighters and emergency responders worldwide. IAFC members are the world's leading experts in firefighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials spills, natural disasters, search and rescue, and public safety legislation. Since 1873, the IAFC has provided a forum for its members to exchange ideas, develop professionally and uncover the latest products and services available to first responders.
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About the NVFC
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides invaluable resources, programs, training, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org.