New FL Firefighter Safety Law
| By:
Leigh Hollins SunCoastFOOLS@aol.com Firefighter Safety |
Wed, May. 07, 2008
Firefighter protection law awaits governor's signature
By JESSICA KLIPA
Bradenton Herald
A bill crafted to save firefighters' lives when responding to a burning
building was passed unanimously by the Florida Legislature during its
recent session.
Now local fire officials are just waiting for it to be signed into law
by Gov. Charlie Christ. Once the bill becomes law, it would be effective
July 1.
Named in honor of two firefighters who died in 1989 at a gift shop fire in
Orange County, the bill is called the
Firefighter protection law awaits governor's signature
By JESSICA KLIPA
Bradenton Herald
A bill crafted to save firefighters' lives when responding to a burning
building was passed unanimously by the Florida Legislature during its
recent session.
Now local fire officials are just waiting for it to be signed into law
by Gov. Charlie Christ. Once the bill becomes law, it would be effective
July 1.
Named in honor of two firefighters who died in 1989 at a gift shop fire in
Orange County, the bill is called the
"Todd Aldridge - Mark Benge Firefighter Safety Act".
The bill will require commercial, industrial and
The bill will require commercial, industrial and
multi-unit residential structures that have lightweight roof or floor
trusses to be clearly marked. Not covered by the law are single-family
homes or duplexes, said Leigh Hollins, Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue
battalion chief.
It will be up to the state fire marshal's office to determine what the
placard will look like, where it will be mounted and when buildings will
have to be in compliance with the new law, he said. The signage on the
buildings will allow firefighters to change their tactics for fighting
fires in buildings with the lightweight truss system, he said.
Hollins, who lobbied lawmakers to pay attention to the proposal, said,
"It does show that sometimes you can get things done starting out with a
grassroots effort."
According to a 2005 report issued by the National Institute of
Occupational Safety and Health, at least 20 fatalities and 12 injuries
occurred during fire operations in buildings with truss systems in 15
separate incidents from 1998-2003.
While more than 60 percent of roof systems in the United States are
built using a wooden truss system, relatively few states have passed the
bill to protect firefighters.
Southern Manatee Fire Chief Tom Hennessy said firefighters in Florida
are very lucky to have had this passed.
"It's a great milestone for the fire service here in Florida. We're real
happy that the legislators moved in a positive manner toward this," he
said.
trusses to be clearly marked. Not covered by the law are single-family
homes or duplexes, said Leigh Hollins, Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue
battalion chief.
It will be up to the state fire marshal's office to determine what the
placard will look like, where it will be mounted and when buildings will
have to be in compliance with the new law, he said. The signage on the
buildings will allow firefighters to change their tactics for fighting
fires in buildings with the lightweight truss system, he said.
Hollins, who lobbied lawmakers to pay attention to the proposal, said,
"It does show that sometimes you can get things done starting out with a
grassroots effort."
According to a 2005 report issued by the National Institute of
Occupational Safety and Health, at least 20 fatalities and 12 injuries
occurred during fire operations in buildings with truss systems in 15
separate incidents from 1998-2003.
While more than 60 percent of roof systems in the United States are
built using a wooden truss system, relatively few states have passed the
bill to protect firefighters.
Southern Manatee Fire Chief Tom Hennessy said firefighters in Florida
are very lucky to have had this passed.
"It's a great milestone for the fire service here in Florida. We're real
happy that the legislators moved in a positive manner toward this," he
said.
