I was asked my thoughts on a firefighter survival subject at Firefighter Basics. The matter involved whether or not NFPA Standard 1971 should include personal escape systems. The question itself is presented well and the many replies are what have made it a great discussion. Co-contributor Dave LeBlanc also added to the discussion. You can read his comments here and on Firefighter Basics. For the record, I am not against personal escape devices; I think they should be part of our PPE everywhere. The narrow minds that believe they don’t need them because they have nothing bigger than two stories, or because their department isn’t ‘urban’, have no valid argument. The potential problem I see is that they will become another recommendation listed to prevent line of duty deaths instead of focusing on the causes of the majority of those deaths. “If only they had a bailout kit”, will fall in line with “if only they had a TIC”, or “if only they had done a 360.” I can imagine what you are thinking, ‘What about Black Sunday? Would you not give the FDNY bailout kits?’ That is an extreme and irrational thought. Of course they should have them; however, keep in mind that the fatal Bronx fire had many things working against the members of the FDNY. When looking at standards and their effectiveness in reducing firefighter deaths, we have to ask ourselves which solution has the potential for a longer lasting and more effective result – merchandise or mentality? (more…)