Wednesday, September 1, 2010 The NFFF has advised that they have secured an exclusive $500,000.00 sponsor for the development of the "next critical step" in firefighters survival risk management: The Firefighter Vulnerability Assessment Tool (V.A.T.) . The tool, (an online and computer based system) which will be made available to EVERY FD in the United States in partnership with the USFA, will allow a fire department to scientifically (vs emotionally) determine their risk potential in firefighter injury or death.

Honeywell First Responder Products (HFRP), a division of Honeywell Life Safety (HLS), and the makers of Morning Pride and Ranger protective clothing for firefighters, have stepped up and will be the exclusive corporate sponsor for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s  new Vulnerability Tool. The USFA will also be providing significant funding as well.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (with support from the US Fire Administration, a part of FEMA) is developing the Vulnerability Assessment Tool.  It will be made available to every fire department in America.   Based on a questionnaire and a study of trends and data, the tool will help fire departments to understand how their firefighters are most vulnerable.  Each department that participates will receive specific recommendations to reduce firefighter injury and deaths.

Honeywell Life Safety and Honeywell First Responder Products, as the exclusive corporate sponsor of the program, will contribute $500,000 over a four-year period to fund and support the Vulnerability Assessment Tool.  Sponsoring this program is a natural fit for both HLS and HFRP since our missions are to reduce firefighter deaths and injuries, improve fire response performance, and help departments assess the threat their communities face.

 “We are very happy to assist in this critical effort started by the U.S. Fire Administrator Kelvin Cochran,” said HFRP President Jeff Morris. “Our communities are very well served by brave firefighters who routinely risk everything to protect people and property. This tool will give firefighters the information they need to prepare for every contingency.” 

For more information on the Vulnerability Assessment Tool, contact the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation (www.firehero.org).