WINGSPREAD I 1966

"A SYSTEMATIC AND DELIBERATE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM LEADING TO A BROAD KNOWLEDGE BASE WHICH IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY IS THE SUREST APPROACH TO PROFESSIONALIZATION."

WINGSPREAD II 1976

“THE DEVELOPMENT OF FIRE SERVICE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN THE UNITED STATES OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS HAS BEEN NON-SYSTEMATIC AND NON-DIRECTIONAL. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY TO SENSITIZE ITSELF TO THE NEEDS AND TO PREPARE STUDENTS SYSTEMATICALLY TO MEET THOSE NEEDS."

8. The problem of arson in the United States has increased to the point where it should be considered a matter of major importance.

Although arson is one of the oldest crimes in the world, its increase in this country has been accelerated in the past few years. In some jurisdictions, such as rural and ex-urban areas, it has not increased as rapidly as in the cities, especially those with so-called ghetto populations.

The reasons for the latter increase are several, but most instances of arson have some form of profit as the motive. Formerly, the only profit motive was to collect insurance, but now there are others, i.e., to force abandonment of a building so fixtures may be stolen and sold; or to damage one's own quarters so that welfare authorities will provide better ones. These types of fires, added to those set for vandalism, are causing some sections of certain cities to look like war-torn battlefields and are contributing to urban decay. Detection of arson in these cases is relatively simple, but the prosecution of offenders is a major problem.

Arson for the collection of insurance is also on the increase, but this type of arson is often difficult to detect, and it, too, is difficult to prosecute. An "air-tight" case of arson is hard to find, and most prosecutors do not like to go to court unless they are fairly sure of success. Probably, the first step toward an all-out attack on the arson problem would be a coordinated effort of the insurance community, law enforcement agencies and the fire service.

9. Fire departments should thoroughly analyze new demands being placed upon them before accepting new responsibilies.

The past five years have seen a dynamic expansion of emergency medical services provided by fire departments. Thousands of fire departments accepted a role that was new to them. Many did it without question and have found that their already thinly spread manpower is now spread still thinner. Others held out for adequate manpower as a condition to the new commitment and were successful in getting it. Some refused the new duties because additional manpower was not provided.

New demands call for operations research, thoroughly performed, to discover what has to be done to maintain reasonable effectiveness of fire protection capability while meeting the requirements of the new service, whatever it may be and however worthwhile it may seem.

In some areas there is jurisdictional confusion with respect to the provision of training in emergency medical work and the administration of emergency medical services. These cases can provide lessons which may be applied when planning for any type of additional service in the future.

10. It appears that residential smoke detectors hold the most practical potential at this time for saving lives. The fire service should take leadership in encouraging their widespread use and proper maintenance.

America Burning, the 1973 report of the National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, set the ambitious goal of cutting the annual number of fire deaths in half in twentyfive years. Several means of reaching this goal are available. They include public education, safer building construction, better fire prevention codes and enforcement, more efficient fire fighting, and fast, reliable warning systems. It seems that of all the above, the means that would pay off the quickest in lives saved is the last mentioned: warning systems that will quickly sense an incipient fire and sound an alarm to alert those whose lives may become endangered.

In the past ten years there has been a vast increase in the production of residential smoke detectors. Many manufacturers are marketing them, and the prices have been greatly reduced. Now they are priced within the buying power of most Americans. Many cost far less than an automobile tire.

However, there is a two-fold educational job which must be

done. People have to be shown the need for buying these detectors, and further, must be shown why and how they should be maintained to give satisfactory performance. These duties fall upon the fire service.

Detectors which are disconnected or which have dead batteries are no longer detectors. Those which are poorly located may not respond in time. Therefore, the mere presence of detectors is not always enough. Fire departments should develop and implement programs to educate the public on these matters, and also on what to do when the detector sounds an alarm. This instruction should include evacuation plans and fire department notification. The fact that some detectors are causing frequent false alarms is a matter which fire departments must consider in formulating procedures and public education.

11. Traditional fire loss management concepts should be reviewed.

Fire loss management is the term used to describe all the efforts of the fire service toward reducing the toll taken by fire. It includes activities directed toward preventing fires from starting, and lessening the harmful effect of those that do start.

Some of the age-old concepts should be studied again in the light of presently available technology. Change does not always bring progress, but progress demands change.

As presently constituted, most fire prevention inspections are visits rather than inspections. Many are visits by the poorly informed looking for the obvious. Fire inspectors are told that defective electric wiring and faulty electrical equipment are among the leading causes of fire, but they are not often taught how to detect either, even though easily portable test equipment is available that would allow them to test for these defects when trained to do so.

Fire suppression techniques lag years behind many other technologies. The pace of progress has been slow and without breakthroughs with measurable effect on fire loss. Research is needed for improving the capability to keep fires from starting and for limiting the damage to lives and property by fires that do start.

There is also a need to transfer research findings to those who can utilize them. This calls for close liaison between researchers and the fire service. Much of the fire research that has been performed in the past was not made known to the fire

service. The National Fire Prevention and Control Administration can perform a great service by disseminating the results of research projects and studies to the operational fire service, so that the knowledge gained can be put to work to save lives and property. The value of research is not determined by its sophistication but by the results of its practical application.

12. The Fire Service should assume more responsibility and leadership in fire loss management.

It is the responsibility of the fire service (by a peer group process) to identify the real needs and the bodies of knowledge required for proper performance.

It is the responsibility of the fire service to provide leadership in:

1. Determining the kinds of services it is to perform.

2. Defining the blocks of knowledge and skill needed to accomplish the performance of those services.

3. Articulating knowledge and skill needs to the educational community.

4. Providing job opportunities and career incentives for persons possessing specified knowledge and skill.

5. Evaluating the effectiveness and accomplishments of individuals and the service as a whole. This will help to give direction, meaning and integrity to the life and work of both individuals and organizations; it will also help assure continued relevance to the needs of society.

APPENDIX

Editorial From
Fire Chief Magazine
February 1976
SIZE UP

Ten Years after Wingspread I

In February 1966 the report of the Wingspread Conference was published. This report was the result of an ad hoc committee of fire service people who met to discuss the nation's fire problems. Now, a decade later, it is a good time to briefly review the 12 statements made by this committee.

1. Unprecedented demands are being imposed on the fire service by rapid social and technological change. There are now even more demands.

2. The public is complacent toward the rising trend of life and property loss by fire. Public is still relatively complacent, although we are seeing some interest as expressed in federal legislation and some concern about building codes.

3. There is a serious lack of communication between the public and the fire service. This communication gap is still serious. More fire departments are making public relations efforts, the National Fire Prevention and Control Administration (NFPCA) will be working in this area, and we have more books, TV programs and films on fire and fire service.

4. Behaviour patterns of the public have a direct influence on the fire problem. As true as 10 years ago, but little research being done. 5. The insurance interest has exerted a strong influence on the organization of the fire service. Still strong, although influence is slowly waning. The NFPCA may take the lead through programs such as master planning.

6. Professional status begins with education. Here we have seen a healthy beginning with associate degree programs springing up all across the country.

7. The scope, degree and depth of educational requirements for efficient functioning of the fire service must be examined. Efforts are being made here. The Joint Council of Fire Service Organizations is in the process of setting national training standards. The one for firefighters has been approved.

8. Increased mobility at the executive level of the fire service will be important to the achievement of professional status. Little progress here.

9. The career development of the fire executive must be systematic and deliberate. There are more management courses available, and more career officers are taking them, but we are a long way from "systematic and deliberate.

10. Governing bodies and municipal administrators generally do not recognize the need for executive development of the fire