You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know; Actual LODD Details

Presented by: Bill Carey, First Arriving, LLC

Room 201

This presentation is created to provide and understanding of the line of duty death definitions and criteria from four national fire service organizations: United States Fire Administration (USFA), National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the International Association of Fire Firefighters (IAFF). The presentation shares how data is compiled and presented and then how this data is mistakenly reported and shared.

With a primary focus on the victims’ activity types in the area of interior firefighting, attendees will learn how the data presented in yearly reports does not show a true picture of firefighter fatalities. Attendees will also see how some data, when compared with fatality investigation reports, department reports, and news stories, is often incorrect and left incorrect in yearly reports. A specific look at Maryland firefighter fatalities will show details not well known.

A second focus will show how fire service organizations, publications, websites, and individuals incorrectly use fatality data for personal promotion or organization identity perpetuating an unrealistic picture of death and risk. Attendees will see how social media plays a part in the misunderstanding of our fatality data.

Presentations have been created and done for the following: Andy Fredericks Training Days (VA), Art of Firemanship Days (PA), South End Rescue Days (MD) and quoted and referenced in several articles and presentations done by others.