Through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, the DC Firefighters Burn Foundation has been able to develop a burn injury awareness program for firefighters nationwide. The course was developed by firefighters, burn surgeons, nurses, and protective garment manufacturers from around the country.
The course was not developed to teach fire ground operations or tactics as these vary greatly around the country. It Happened in Seconds runs approximately 2 hours and is instructed by a firefighter and burn unit professional through a lecture and video presentation. Course materials address the following topics:
- The risk associated with firefighting and receiving a burn injury
- The design, limitations, and use of personnel protective equipment
- Causes of firefighter burn injuries
- Firefighter safety, situational awareness, and risk assessment
- What we have learned from the past reviewing case studies
- The importance of receiving proper care and where to seek treatment for a bun injury
- Pre-hospital treatment of a burn injury
- Treatment and rehabilitation process following a burn injury
- Building partnership with your local burn unit
Why is the training beneficial for my department?
Burn injuries can range from a minor irritation requiring a short outpatient treatment process to months of surgery and rehab in a burn center. A burn injury can end the career of a firefighter and lead to early retirement and disability. Most concerning of all is that a burn injury can result in death.
The average cost for receiving treatment for a burn injury at a burn center is over $5,000 a day. This does not include the rate of paying to back fill the firefighter’s position while receiving treatment or rehabilitation. Nor does this include the emotional and financial toll on the family.
