NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 26

First Responder by John Montes

DISPATCHES
FROM THE
EMERGENCY
RESPONDER
COMMUNITY

You Don't Know NFPA
WHY ALL RESPONDERS NEED TO MOVE BEYOND THE MYTHS OF NFPA AND
LEARN HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN THE STANDARDS PROCESS

will admit that, in my
is passionate about advocating for myself
prior life in emergency
and my fellow responders, it would have
medical services (EMS),
been a game changer.
I didn't understand how
Many non-fire responders have no idea
NFPA standards were
how much NFPA documents matter to
relevant to my work. Once, as I was
their work or how much they can influresearching an equipment purchase for
ence those standards. That needs to
my department, a colleague suggested
change. Responders of all types, includI look up what NFPA recommended.
ing EMS and law enforcement, must be
"This has nothing to do with fire-why
educated about this early in their careers.
does NFPA care?" I shot back. Now that
I urge department leaders to share with
I work at NFPA, I hear people make the
their recruits how NFPA and other stansame mistake nearly every day.
dards impact their work and, just as
This summer, when NFPA posted a
importantly, how these documents are
Responder input is
statement on Facebook condemning
created. Responder input is essential in
essential in ensuring
shootings in Texas and Ohio and urged
ensuring the best possible standards and,
the best possible
emergency agencies to work together to
by extension, a safer, better equipped,
standards and, by
prepare for such incidents, it was met
and more prepared workforce.
extension, a safer,
with vitriolic responses in the comments.
As it has for decades, NFPA continues
better equipped,
"Stick to fire!" many posters replied,
to publish codes and standards that are
and more prepared
some using more colorful language.
essential to non-fire agencies, including
workforce.
They were the kind of misconceptions
several in the past two years that will be
that I've heard many times in my career,
hugely important going forward. These
both before and after I started working
include documents for active shooter/
here. For the good of NFPA, our nation's
hostile event response programs; the use
responders, and the communities they
and maintenance of small, unmanned
serve, we must work to defeat these myths about the orga- aerial systems; and a guide for EMS-based community health
nization. The best way to change the narrative is to educate care programs. In addition, NFPA recently announced the
responders about our process and urge them to engage in it.
formation of a new technical committee that will develop
My own story is instructive. Like many EMS professionals, contamination control and occupational health standards for
I often wondered, sometimes in frustration, what drove the all responders. All of these documents are crafted by commitbigger decisions in my workplace. Only later, when I assumed tees comprised of representatives from a range of response
a leadership position, did I learn how much NFPA standards agencies, including police and EMS professionals.
were involved. Suddenly, I was the one making decisions about
NFPA documents aren't just for fire. They aren't written by
what ambulances to buy. I designed incident command kits and a group of bureaucrats in secret. NFPA standards are crucial
fulfilled contracts and response data requirements. I needed for all responders, and everyone can and should be part of the
something to consult, and NFPA had the guidance I needed.
process. Getting that word out will improve the safety, health,
I wish I had known more about NFPA and its inclusive stan- and other standards NFPA publishes, as well as go a long way
dards development process sooner. I wish I had been told that toward keeping all responders and the communities they serve
input was welcomed and, in fact, that the technical commit- well equipped, prepared, and ready. I hope you will join us.
tees responsible for creating and revising a standard must
address all of the input they receive. For someone like me, who John Montes is specialist, emergency services public fire protection, at NFPA.

26 | NFPA JOURNAL * N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

MICHAEL HOEWELER

NFPA Journal - November/December 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - November/December 2019