The National Fire Service Seat Belt Pledge was created in honor of a fallen fire fighter, Brian Hunton. One of the foundation’s primary goals is to decrease firefighter fatalities and encourage safety practices among firefighters. The National Fire Service Seat Belt Pledge was designed with the same goal in mind. The pledge was created by Dr. Burton A. Clark, EFO, CFO, an instructor at the National Fire Academy, in honor of 2005 fallen firefighter Brian Hunton.

“I pledge to wear my seat belt whenever I am riding in a Fire Department vehicle. I further pledge to insure that all my brother and sister firefighters riding with me wear their seat belts. I am making this pledge willingly; to honor Brian Hunton, my brother firefighter, because wearing seat belts is the right thing to do.”

Firefighter Christopher Brian Hunton, age 27, was a member of the Amarillo (Texas) Fire Department for one year. On April 23, 2005, he fell out of his fire truck responding to an alarm. He died two days later from his injuries. Brian was not wearing his seatbelt. 

The fire fighters of St. John have signed the pledge in honor of Brian Hunton and plan on presenting the signed pledge to the administration and parish council.

On another safety-related topic, the fire service in the United States has a deservedly proud tradition of service to community and country dating back hundreds of years. As technology advances and the scope of service grows (e.g., more EMS obligations and growing response to natural disasters, hazardous materials incidents and acts of terrorism), the fire service remains committed to a core mission of protecting lives and property from the effects of fire. Firefighting is a dangerous business with substantial financial implications. In 2007, U.S. municipal fire departments responded

to an estimated 1,557,500 fires. These fires killed 3,430 civilians (non-firefighters) and contributed to 17,675 reported civilian fire injuries. Direct property damage was

estimated at $14.6 billion dollars (Karter, 2008). In spite of the vigorous nationwide efforts to promote firefighter safety, the number of firefighter deaths has consistently remained tragically high. In both 2007 and 2008, the U.S. Fire Administration reported 118 firefighter fatalities (USFA 2008). Although not all firefighter deaths occur on the fireground — accidents in vehicles and training fatalities add to the numbers — every statistical analysis of the fire problem in the United States identifies residential structure fires as a key component in firefighter and civilian deaths as well as direct property loss. Consequently, community planners and decision-makers need tools for optimally aligning resources with the service commitments needed for adequate protection of citizens.

The administration and fire fighters are working hard to better the fire service of St. John Parish.

Michael Heath is president of the St. John Professional Firefighters Association.