Redmond EMS Abstracts.indd - IAFF

BRIEFING:
Fire Ground Survival
Jim Brinkley
Director of Occupational Health and Safety
International Association of Fire Fighters
1750 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006
202-824-8304
jbrinkley@iaff.org
Background:
Jim Brinkley is the Director of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Department of
Occupational Health and Safety. The IAFF represents more than 298,000 full-time professional
fire fighters and paramedics who protect 85 percent of the nation’s population. More than 3,100
affiliates and their members protect communities in every state in the United States and in Canada.
The IAFF dedicates significant resources to the never-ending struggle to make a dangerous profession
as safe as possible. The purpose of the IAFF’s Occupational Health and Safety Department is to
identify hazards, develop and disseminate user friendly technical materials and information, and
provide assistance so IAFF members can recognize and control the safety, health and medical
needs associated with their profession.
Prior to coming to the IAFF Jim served for more than 21 years with the Prince George’s County
Fire/EMS Department, and 14 years as a member of the Prince George’s County Professional Fire
Fighters & Paramedics Association, IAFF local 1619 Executive Board. Jim has received several
awards and commendations for his work in fire fighter health and safety. As a member of his
departmental safety committee he was responsible for evaluating and testing personal protective
equipment including turn-out gear, PASS devices, and SCBA. At the time of his retirement he had
just been re-elected as President of IAFF Local 1619. During his tenure he was instrumental in
developing the Department’s wellness fitness program and the Department’s “Fire Fighter Survival
Program”. His efforts played a significant role in Local 1619 receiving the Congressional Fire
Service Institute Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award for 2008. Jim was
also one of the original instructors with the IAFF Partnership Education Program.
Jim was responsible for overseeing the revisions for the 3rd edition of the IAFF/IAFC Wellness
Fitness Initiative and the updates to the Peer Fitness Training (PFT) Certification program. He is
currently overseeing the development of the IAFF Fire Ground Survival Program and is directing
the effort to revise the IAFF Infectious Disease Program and the IAFF’s manual on Cardiovascular
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