Fire Fighter Close Calls - Line of Duty Calendar Project
What is the FFCC / Line of Duty Calendar Project?
This project aims to create a single point of reference of fire service LODD and serious LODI events. Every name on the calendar is an opportunity to remember, reflect, and learn. In the wake of a loss it is an opportunity to train ourselves to be better and work to prevent future LODD / LODI events. By organizing these events in a calendar format we have the opportunity to make every day about training while not forgetting those who served us.
There is no limitation on how far back the calendar can reach. It is bounded only by the information which may still be available to make a usable entry. I have no idea how many entries it will ever become but I'd like it to be the 'go-to' site for recording the names and places which shaped us so they never are forgotten. My initial efforts have focused on the United States and US Armed Forces but I'd like to gradually expand to North America and then perhaps globally.
How can the Line of Duty Calendar be used to benefit the fire service?
The calendar can be used in practically any manner which suits your needs or curiosity. You can mine it for data and statistics, browse it for historical remembrance, or educational purposes. This all grew from an idea and vision of how to turn some of the fire service's darkest days and events into a resource for continued growth and betterment, whether it be on an individual basis or department wide.
I have heard of agencies and academies which use LODD / LODI events as report assignments in which recruits must research and report to their class how a specific event changed the fire service or led to training changes. Through this project I wanted a mechanism to expand those types of learning experiences.
I'm certainly not an overly spiritual person but it is clear to all of us in the fire service that to do and truly love our profession we recognize it as a calling. It is a reality that for every one of us 'born' into the fire service we have also lost brothers and sisters who equally loved and answered the calling. Look up your birthday - learn who and what killed firefighters on the day you entered this life. Never forget and maybe someday it will save your life also.
Some other applications include the following:
1. Start of tour safety message. Read and remind the crews of who we lost on that day and any relevant safety message to prevent a repeat event.
2. Impromptu tailboard training topic. At a loss for a training discussion or drill material? Look up today's date and see what happened and then discuss how your agency has taken steps to prevent a repeat occurrence. Maybe the discussion will spur positive change within your agency.
How was it compiled?
Reading and more reading and then asking questions. The more recent entries were naturally mined from digital media and industry sources, it's one of the gifts of an instantaneous digital world. The further back in time it went the more difficult it was, and continues to be, nailing down the people and places that shaped our history. The entire project is a living work and changes with each day going forward but also depends on the input from YOU. Much of our history is only found within the walls of our fire stations as 'institutional knowledge'. I need your assistance is unearthing those names and dates for inclusion in the calendar.
As much time and effort I have invested I recognize that there are many names which have been missed and I sincerely apologize but please don't take exception. Much of what I'm trying to accomplish here has never before been assembled in one place so it takes time. Despite my best efforts there may be errors or missing pieces of information and I am relying on help from the fire service to help me bring it all together. Your support and assistance will be very much appreciated along the way.
Where are the September 11, 2001 entries?
The initial release of the calendar project focused on those names / places which may have fallen off the radar in the hope of resurrecting their memory and learning opportunities.
A future release will include 9/11 entries for not only those who perished that morning but for those who have left us in the years that followed from complications of their exposure on that day and the days that followed. They are not excluded and will always remain a part of our history, ultimately becoming a part of this project.
What do the different colored lines indicate?
The entries are color coded to reflect the various nature or category of the event. This may be useful if you are doing research for specific incident types or want to compile some type of statistic. The color key is detailed below:
Purple - Fire Service Line of Duty Death
Red - Line of Duty Injury (Generally those injury events which were part of a LODD and/or were severe enough to leave the member permanently disabled and unable to return to service)
Blue - EMS Line of Duty Death
Green - A favorable or memorable event in fire service history
Gray - Line of Duty Death - 9/11/2001 related
How can an entry be updated or added?
I cannot do this alone and am relying on the support and input of everyone out there to make this calendar the most complete and accurate data source possible. There is always someone who knows something and they are encouraged to contribute.
Please be sure to give me the specifics of the member(s) and the incident along with contact information in case I have any follow up questions. I will do my best to get respond and get it done in a timely manner.
The best way to contact me is via email using [email protected]
Thank you.