NIOSH Endorses Fire Service Seat Belt Pledge Campaign
The U.S. Fire Administration recently announced that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has added its logo to the National Fire Service Seat Belt Pledge 100 Percent Participation Certificate. USFA said this endorsement of the seat belt campaign, by NIOSH Acting Director Dr. Christine Branche, reinforces the importance of wearing these safety devices to the American Fire Service.
"We are grateful to NIOSH for adding their logo to the Seat Belt Pledge 100 Percent Certificate," said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade. "We welcome their participation to further support our efforts to encourage and remind firefighters to buckle up."
NIOSHA joins USFA, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Volunteer Fire Council, the National Fire Protection Association, and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation as leading supporters of the campaign. To date, more than 70,000 firefighters have taken the pledge and approximately 300 fire departments have received a certificate for their accomplishment in getting all personnel to sign the pledge. The goal of this program is 1,000,000 firefighter signatures and 30,000 fire departments with 100 percent participation.
"Motor vehicle-related crashes are the second leading cause of death for firefighters, and reducing this toll on our nation's firefighters is a priority for NIOSH," said Dr. Christine Branche of NIOSH. "Wearing seat belts is an essential component of efforts to ensure the safety of firefighters in fire apparatus and vehicles."
For further information regarding this effort, visit www.trainingdivision.com/seatbeltpledge.asp.