The South Carolina Forestry Commission
displayed their standard firefighting equipment and taught several classes
during the South Carolina National Guard's McCrady Training Center Safety and
Health Week June 17, 2015, in Eastover, S.C. The theme for the Safety and
Health week was "Create a Culture of Safety," and all EMS personnel
stationed at MTC were encouraged to focus all non-emergency activity on health
safety and education. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Joe
Cashion/RELEASED)
EASTOVER,
S.C. - Inspired by the International Fire and Emergency Medical Services annual
Safety and Health Week, Fire and Emergency services at the South Carolina
National Guard’s McCrady Training Center in Eastover, S.C., hosted one of their
own June 15-19, 2015.
This year’s theme was Create a Culture of
Safety and all EMS personnel and shifts were encouraged to focus all
non-emergency activity on health safety and education. Kevin Powers, fire
inspector at MTC, coordinated this first-ever event of its kind to be held at
McCrady.
“I did the
entire planning, and believe me, it wasn’t easy at first,” he said. “But once
we got the ball rolling and other agencies got on board with us, it all fell
into place.”
One of those
agencies, for example, was the South Carolina Forestry Commission, who brought
a display of a bulldozer they use to fight fires and taught a class in tactics,
as well.
“They
explained to us how they operate, what their procedures are and to coordinate
with us in the event we have to work together in an emergency situation,” said
Powers.
Powers explained the benefits of multiple
agencies working with McCrady Fire and EMS during the Safety and Health week.
“It helps
educate us and those base wide on better techniques and procedures,” Powers
said. “It also helps build a camaraderie with other agencies to help each of us
work together better in the event of an emergency.”
Other
classes instructed during the week included workplace safety, fire extinguisher
training, physical fitness, driver safety training and LifeNet of South
Carolina landing zone safety.
South Carolina LifeNet paramedic Jeff
Chapman (center) gives a class on landing zone safety to Firefighters and EMS
responders stationed at the S.C. National Guard's McCrady Training Center
during MTC's first-ever Safety and Health Week June 17, 2015, in Eastover, S.C.
The theme for the Safety and Health week was "Create a Culture of
Safety," and all EMS personnel were encouraged to focus all non-emergency
activity on health safety and education. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by
Sgt. 1st Class Joe Cashion/RELEASED)
"Creating a culture of safety will result
in fewer fatalities, injuries, and illnesses, resulting in a stronger, more
resilient fire and emergency service," said National Volunteer Fire
Council Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg. “Together, we can achieve culture
change and reduce the risks our responders face."
It is no secret that emergency response is a
dangerous job. According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly
100 firefighters died in the line of duty in 2013 and more than 65,000 were
injured. Studies have shown that firefighters are also at increased risk of
heart disease, cancer, and behavioral health issues such as PTSD.
Despite the daunting task of coordinating the
inaugural event here at MTC, Powers says he’s already looking forward to the
future.
“We plan on
doing this every year,” he said.
Story by Sgt. 1st Class
Joe Cashion
