The PPE Mecca: F.I.E.R.O sponsors inaugural PPE symposium in Charlotte, N.C.
Do you recommend, inspect and/or wear firefighting gear? Are you often confused by sales pitches for personal protective equipment (PPE)? If so, you should attend the inaugural Fire Service PPE Symposium on March 9–11, 2009, in Charlotte, N.C. The event, which will take place at the Omni Charlotte Hotel, is sponsored by the Fire Industry Equipment Research Organization (F.I.E.R.O.) and co-sponsored the NFPA Fire Service Section. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is a supporter of the symposium.
The event will bring together leaders from the fire service, manufacturing and industry in order to provide attendees with the tools and knowledge to properly select and maintain their PPE. It is a unique opportunity for the fire service to meet and discuss issues with component manufacturers, end product manufacturers, testers, researchers and other firefighters.
PPE is often the only thing between you and a critical injury. This symposium will help you maximize the protection your gear offers. Topics include the selection, care, and maintenance of your turnout gear; SCBA and CBRN PPE; electronics and PPE; testing, visibility, and limitations of your PPE; and legal issues related to NFPA non-compliance. There will also be an exhibit area.
Enrollment is limited to 300 persons. Register for the symposium before February 15, 2009, to ensure your attendance and receive an early registration discount. Learn more and register online at www.fireppesymposium.com.
Tentative Topics & Speakers
Where We Were, Where We Are, and Where We Need To Be
By Rich Duffy, IAFF
No one has been more involved in PPE than Mr. Duffy in the past 30+ years. Mr. Duffy has been chair of various NFPA PPE committees during this time and he will relate his experience to where we are likely headed in the future.
Turnout Gear 101: Outershells, Thermal Barriers and Moisture Barriers
By Chris Corner, Southern Mills and Charles Willard, W.L. Gore & Associates
There are dozens of combinations of these three main components of coats and pants! Learn the properties of these components and how they interact with each other to more effectively meet the needs of your department’s fire/emergency risks.
Selection of PPE
By Donna Brehm, Deputy Chief Virginia Beach Fire Department and
Captain Tim Durby, Phoenix Fire Department
Two veterans share their experience in the daunting tasks of conducting risk assessments, comparing products, performing wear trials, involving firefighters, developing bid packages, and sizing/service expectations.
Understanding the Testing Requirements of PPE
By Dr. Roger Barker, N.C. State University
Firefighters have heard about testing requirements for TPP, THL, etc., for years. Dr. Barker’s presentation will provide a visual insight in the key tests performed in the development and evaluation of PPE.
Managing a PPE Care and Maintenance Program
By Kirk Owen, Assistant Chief Plano Fire Department (retired) and End Use Marketing Manager for Emergency Response for Southern Mills
Fire departments are challenged by the latest on maintaining PPE. Chief Owen will use his unique background of fire service, NFPA involvement, and private sector to outline a PPE maintenance program as specified in NFPA 1851. Storage and retirement will be emphasized.
Inspection, Cleaning, and Repair of PPE
By Karl Beeman, Karl Beeman, Inc.
Proper inspection, cleaning and repair of PPE is not a simple process. PPE can be damaged and destroyed by improper maintenance. Mr. Beeman’s business is training fire personnel on the proper care of PPE.
Limitations of PPE and Garment Reaction to Different Types of Heat Transfer
By Dr. Rich Young, Dupont and
Captain Mike McKenna, Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District
Understand why PPE does not put make you fire proof. Dr. Young will provide the science behind fabric heat resistance in a down to earth manner and Firefighter McKenna will share real life experiences.
Understanding CBRN PPE, It’s Performance Against Chemical &
Biological Terrorism Agents, and Its Limits
By Glenn Jirka, Miami Township Fire & EMS Division
How can PPE protect against CBRN exposure? As an industry expert on PPE testing, Mr. Stull’s presentation will outline the benefits and requirements for/of PPE to provide CBRN protection.
EMS Protection
By Angie Shepherd, NIOSH
Ms. Shepherd’s presentation will provide you with the latest information on protective clothing (disposable and reusable) for emergency medical response—the majority of today’s fire department responses.
SCBA
By Lieutenant Dan Rossos, Portland Fire & Rescue Department
Major changes have occurred in SCBA in recent years. As chair of the NFPA Technical Committee on Respiratory Protection, his session will explain all the changes and what they mean to the safety of firefighters.
Selection, Care & Maintenance of SCBA
By Lieutenant Dan Rossos, Portland Fire & Rescue Department
New requirements for fire department maintenance of SCBA were recently issued in NFPA 1852. In addition to maintenance and repair, this session will also cover the selection and testing of SCBA.
NIOSH CBRN SCBA, APR & PAPR
By Bill Haskell, NIOSH
Hear directly from NIOSH about the recent stringent requirements for respiratory PPE. Mr. Haskell’s experience makes him the ideal person to discuss the performance capabilities and limitations of respiratory devices available today.
The NFPA Process and Status of PPE Documents
By Bruce Teele, NFPA
Hear directly from Mr. Teele with his 30+ years as the NFPA staff liaison for Emergency Services Protective Clothing and Equipment as he helps you grasp the standards making process. He will provide a “heads up” on the status of all the PPE standards.
NFPA 1500 and PPE
Glenn Benarick, Deputy Chief, Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department, (retired)
As chair of the NFPA 1500 committee, Chief Benarick’s session will help you understand how NFPA 1500 interacts with all the PPE standards.
Certification v. Non-certification
By Steve Corrado, Underwriters’ Laboratories
3rd party certification ensures firefighters receive the PPE specified. Mr Corrado will use his fire service PPE expertise to teach you about proper compliance, 3rd party compliance abuse, and how to report problems.
Electronics and PPE
By Chief Bruce Varner, Santa Rosa, CA
PASS devices, portable radios, thermal imagers, personnel locating systems, etc. As chair of the NFPA Electronic TC, Chief Varner will describe the initiative to standardize products features and make them more robust to function in our hazardous working environments.
Physiological Status Monitoring
By Clare King, Propel-LLC
The single largest cause resulting in nearly half of all deaths according to the U.S. Fire Administration (2006) is stress and overexertion. Physiological Status Monitoring holds out the promise of identifying when a firefighter is in high-risk physiological stress before he becomes a fatality. Learn what’s emerging in this exciting technology.
Stored Energy in Turnout Gear
By Shawn Deaton, N.C. State University
Unknown by many firefighters, burns can be caused by stored energy; i.e. heat, in turnout gear. In this presentation, you will all about stored energy, how it causes burns, and new test methods being developed to differentiate between material composites for storing heat.
Conspicuity: Turnouts, Helmets, and Traffic Vests
By Dr. Tim Gardner, 3M and Steve Austin, Emergency Responder Safety Institute
Being seen is a major safety issue for today’s emergency responders. This presentation will help you understand the latest in visibility requirements for firefighters in various emergency incident environments to maximize their protection. A review of new Federal Highway Administration regulations for firefighters will be presented.
Legal Aspects of Non-Compliance
By Jim Juneau, Juneau, Boll Ward& Carboy, PLLC
Attorney Jim Juneau, a well known board certified personal injury trial lawyer will lay it on the line! Understand your liability the liability of your department for failure to comply with standards and laws.
F.I.E.R.O. is a non-profit group of Southeastern fire service people who meet to network about equipment and safety issues. It was formed in 1990. Our objective: to provide a safe, more efficient, effective and progressive fire service through the application of shared knowledge, testing, research, development and data analysis for fire apparatus, equipment, protective clothing, related subjects and firefighter safety.
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