The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) announces the 2019 Safety Stand Down theme.
This year’s ‘Reduce Your Exposure: It’s Everybody’s Responsibility’ campaign will take place June 16-22, focusing on increasing understanding of occupational cancer risks and implementing recommendations in the Lavender Ribbon Report, developed by the IAFC Volunteer and Combination Officers Section (VCOS) and the NVFC. Firefighters face many health risks, but cancer has emerged as one of the most prominent concerns.
Importance Of Firefighters
Safety Stand Down resources and materials emphasize the importance of firefighters educating themselves, their physicians, and their coworkers about job-related risks; point first responders to the latest information on exposure to carcinogens, including how to limit exposure; and provide best practices and resources regarding reducing the risk of cancer to firefighters.
Firefighters have a responsibility to protect themselves, their coworkers, and the public from the cancerous byproducts of fire
This important initiative encourages everyone to refresh their techniques and learn new skills based on recent research and proactive protocol. Firefighters have a responsibility to protect themselves, their coworkers, and the public from the cancerous byproducts of fire, and this year’s Safety Stand Down provides tools and information to help reduce line-of-duty deaths and critical illness.
Non-Emergency Activities
Agencies across the country are encouraged to suspend all non-emergency activities during the week of June 16-22 in order to focus on training and education related to this year’s theme. An entire week is provided to ensure all shifts and personnel can participate. Topic information, resources, training downloads, and videos will be available at, the official web site for the Safety Stand Down event.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a Safety Stand Down partner, will once again host the Fire Service Safety Stand Down Quiz to generate greater awareness of first responder health and wellness issues. Everyone who completes the online quiz will be automatically entered into a sweepstakes, with 200 randomly selected participants winning a specially designed commemorative Safety Stand Down challenge coin.
The Safety Stand Down is coordinated by the IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section and the NVFC, and is supported by national and international fire and emergency service organizations, including the NFPA.
