3-year study will examine fire truck, driver safety

By Elizabeth Walton
Tucson News Now

TUCSON, Ariz. — The University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health recently received a $1.4 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, for research to implement and evaluate risk-management processes, according to a recent U of A release.

According to past research emergency vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death among U.S. firefighters, accounting for 390 deaths since 1994 and more than 1,000 reported injuries per year, with little improvement seen over the past decade.

The U of A will be working with the following - Chicago Fire Department, Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue in Virginia as well as Stayton Fire District in Oregon, with training consultation provided by the Seattle Fire Department.  According to the release this three year research program will use 'a risk-management process of scoping hazards, assessing risks and implementing tailored controls to reduce vehicle incidents in the fire service.'  Some of these controls will consist of improved driver training and the use of vehicle data recorders or 'black boxes'.  In addition the program will include an economic analysis that will help departments choose sustainable interventions and program evaluation to guide successful adoption of interventions.

Full story: UA receives grant for firefighter safety research