NIOSH Calls for Firefighter Seatbelt Laws in Mass.

[Truck4 48]

Part of the findings in the NIOSH report on the crash of Ladder 26:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/04/federal_report_2.html

[antiquefirelt 994]

Interesting that they'd need a different law? Doesn't MA have a seatbelt law for all vehicles like the rest of us? If there's a seatbelt exemption, could it not be removed? This is why there no common sense left in government, because we'll wait until it's absolutely the law, when we actually know we should just do it anyway.

I mean no disrespect to any FD but if you can't get 80%+ compliance with seatbelts you have a leadership problem. Either the leadership doesn't care enough about the issue, when they should or they lack the ability to ensure compliance with the rules.

[Bnechis 3,961]

I mean no disrespect to any FD but if you can't get 80%+ compliance with seatbelts you have a leadership problem. Either the leadership doesn't care enough about the issue, when they should or they lack the ability to ensure compliance with the rules.

Thats the best explination of the problem I have seen.

[antiquefirelt 994]

I'm still baffled by the guys that argue that they can't mask up while seatbelted and the time saved is truly too valuable to wait until they arrive to pull on the straps. This is sort of like the argument that masking up in the cab saves valuable time. All BS!

We assume a bit of risk for people we ask no questions about on a routine basis (some more routine than others!)but I consider the time belted in and the time I take to mask up, MY TIME! This is my commitment to myself, my brothers and my family. Sorry if I take 15 seconds more than some hot shot in some city to come to your aid. I don't see many arguing we should drive faster to calls or blow intersections to save time, as I think the general population understands the risks. But for some reason we can argue that either waiting for guys to strap in first or don SCBA on arrival is jeopardizing lives? And masking up before seeing hte building with an unfettered view? Nonsense.

I was being quite conservative when I said 80% compliance. I'm convinced that I have 99% compliance with no ill feelings on my tour and I'm betting it doesn't dip much on the other two if at all. It is part of our culture. Our people know they must wear their seatbelts 100% of the time or face disciplinary actions. All officers know that they face stiffer disciplinary actions if they fail to enforce the seatbelt rule. Then maybe we're just lucky, 'cause I've yet to hear anyone even disagree in the slightest manner. Try to get them to wear motorcycle helmets on their days off though... Like asking them to give up their first born.

[SageVigiles 1,194]

Why does NIOSH like Massachusetts more than the rest of us? Why aren't they pushing for firefighter seatbelt laws EVERYWHERE?

[jack10562 414]

The accident report findings sounds more like "posturing" for the inevitable wrongful death / preventable injury lawsuits which are likely in the works, as sure as May flowers follow April showers.

As to why firefighters were exempted from seatbelt laws in the first place is a good question.