WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Association of Fire Fighters applauded a new OSHA regulation, including the important 2-in/2-out rule, calling it the most important advance in fire fighter safety in decades.
IAFF General President Alfred K. Whitehead said that the regulation will save the lives of hundreds of fire fighters in the future and will cut the fire fighter death rate by 25 to 40 percent.
The regulation, which was released by Labor Secretary Alexis Herman at a press conference today, removes all doubt that the 2-in/2-out rule is the binding standard for all fire fighters in OSHA states and on federal installations. It goes a long way to making one of the most dangerous professions safer.
"This regulation will prove to be the most significant advance in fire fighter safety in this decade," Whitehead said at the press conference, adding that, "This regulation is a life-saver for the men and women whose job it is to save lives."
The 2-in/2-out rule states that, whenever fire fighters enter a burning structure, they must do so in teams of at least two, operating in direct voice or visual contact. In addition, at least two other fully-equipped and trained fire fighters must remain outside the structure, monitoring those inside and prepared to rescue them.
Whitehead joined Herman and Assistant Labor Secretary for OSHA Charles Jeffress at the press conference at the Department of Labor. Two Phoenix firefighters who were burned in a fire in December, but escaped serious injury, also attended. The Phoenix Fire Department has long practiced the 2-in/2-out standard. Also attending was the widow of a Chesapeake, Va. firefighter who died while fighting a fire in March 1996. At the time the Chesapeake department did not follow the 2-in/2-out rule.
The signing of this regulation fulfills President Clinton's 1996 promise to the IAFF to make 2-in/2-out the federal standard. Whitehead applauded Clinton for his efforts, recalling that "When the President became aware of how many fire fighters we lost when 2-in/2-out wasn't followed, he pledged his personal support. I can't thank him enough."
The IAFF represents more than 225,000 professional fire fighters and emergency medical personnel in every state of the Union. IAFF members protect 80 percent of the lives and property in the United States.
ERRI NOTE: This is an excellent regulation that is already being practiced in many communities. ERRI applauds all who worked for the implementation of this regulation -- bottom line: It will save lives!
ASIA AND PACIFIC
TAIPEI (EmergencyNet News) - At least 49 people were reported injured in a fire in a 22-story commericial building in Taipei on Saturday. Frightened people are said to had jumped from balconies and others were rescued by helicopters. The blaze broke out at 0100 hours local time and was brought under control by firefighters three hours later.
As many as 200 people were reported trapped when a fire that began in a fifth-floor video store quickly extended to much of the building that also houses theatres, shops and restaurants.
The injured included a dozen people who suffered broken arms or legs after jumping from balconies. Many people were rescued from a top-floor restaurant by helicopters. News reports said several diners at a restaurant suffered from smoke inhalation because they were stopped by waiters to pay their bills before being allowed to escape.
The ERRI EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT is a subscription publication of the EmergencyNet NEWS Service, which is a part of the Chicago-based Emergency Response and Research Institute. This publication specializes in Law Enforcement/Fire/EMS/Disaster and Medical Issues.
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