Redmond EMS Abstracts.indd - IAFF
Redmond EMS Abstracts.indd - IAFF
Redmond EMS Abstracts.indd - IAFF
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Building Codes: Making Buildings Safer for Fire Fighters and Residents<br />
James Tidwell<br />
Principal<br />
Tidwell Code Consulting<br />
11712 Wind Creek Court<br />
Aledo, Texas 76008-3681<br />
817-715-8881<br />
jimtidwell@tccfire.com<br />
Background:<br />
Tidwell was a member of <strong>IAFF</strong> Local 440 in Fort Worth, Texas for 30 years, retiring in 2003.<br />
After leaving the department, he worked for the International Code Council to bridge the<br />
interests of fire fighters and code officials, with a focus on firefighter safety. After six years with<br />
the Code Council, he formed his current company. He is principal owner of Tidwell Consulting<br />
Corporation, dba Tidwell Code Consulting. Services provided include advocating for clients in<br />
the code development arena (ICC, NFPA, etc.); advocating for fire and life safety issues in local,<br />
state, and federal legislative processes; working with clients to assure appropriate fire and life<br />
safety provisions are included in construction projects while coordinating with authorities having<br />
jurisdiction; currently specializing in development of programs related to sustainability and fire<br />
safety (see report: Bridging the Gap: Fire Safety and Green Buildings, http://greenbuildingfiresafety.<br />
org/PDF/NASFM_greenfire_guide.pdf.)<br />
Abstract:<br />
The movement toward more sustainable development, often referred to as the “Green Movement,”<br />
is changing the way buildings are constructed, communities are developed and natural resources<br />
conserved. These changes have the potential to increase the overall risk to firefighters operating<br />
during emergencies. These risks include everything from biological hazards to new electric shock<br />
hazards, to increased fire growth patterns, and fire fighters need to be aware of their changing<br />
work environment.<br />
This component of the session is intended to identify potential hazards generated by this movement<br />
in order to encourage fire fighters to consider changes in tactics and strategies when facing these<br />
new challenges. In addition, we will identify methodologies to mitigate some of the more egregious<br />
problems that may face local jurisdictions seeking to “green” their community.<br />
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