Josh Smith, Assistant to the General President of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss federal grants for firefighter safety, training programs addressing emerging hazards and the IAFF's recent awards for worker training initiatives.
Smith, drawing from his 22-year career as a firefighter and labor leader in North Carolina, highlighted the IAFF's management of approximately $20 million annually in federal grants. He explained that these funds primarily support training programs designed to address critical safety gaps in firefighting. Smith emphasized the importance of developing new training modules to tackle emerging challenges, such as the unique hazards posed by electric vehicles and energy storage systems. The IAFF's efforts in this area include creating comprehensive guides for incident commanders to safely manage fires involving various types of electric vehicles and battery systems.
The IAFF's training initiatives extend beyond new technologies, encompassing long-standing hazards and disaster preparedness. Smith detailed the organization's success in training thousands of firefighters through programs funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health and Safety. These programs cover a wide range of topics, from hazardous waste management to confined space rescue, ensuring firefighters are prepared for diverse emergency scenarios. He also highlighted a partnership with the Department of Energy, which allows the IAFF to provide specialized training for firefighters working near energy facilities with varying hazard profiles.
Smith concluded by discussing two recent awards received by the IAFF from the National Institute of Environmental Health and Safety, recognizing their worker training programs. These awards underscore the IAFF's commitment to continuous improvement in firefighter safety and training. He emphasized the importance of these federally funded programs in preparing the next generation of firefighters to keep Americans safe.
For more insights on firefighter safety and training initiatives, listen to the full episode with Josh Smith on the America's Work Force Union Podcast.