The NFPA Podcast

As cannabis legalization expands, hundreds of grow and processing facilities have emerged across North America in recent years, introducing a variety of new equipment and unfamiliar processes that regulators have had little time to prepare for.

Today on the podcast, we talk to Chris Witherell, a Colorado-based engineer and a leading expert on marijuana extraction equipment. His company has conducted thousands of inspections of cannabis processing facilities, giving Witherell unique insights about the state of safety in the industry and why regulating it can be such a challenge.

ALSO: Should NFPA pursue a new standard on cannabis grow and processing facilities? Public comment on a new standard proposal is being accepted here through March 31.

Links:

nfpa.org/cannabis

nfpa.org/cannabisfiresafety

On February 23, NFPA unveiled a new initiative called Outthink Wildfire, a comprehensive strategy that challenges policymakers on all levels to take action to reduce loss from wildfire. Its ambitious goal is the complete elimination of community wildfire loss in the United States by the year 2050. What prompted NFPA to take this big step? How will it go about achieving it? What will it take to make this goal attainable? NFPA CEO and President Jim Pauley stops by the podcast to answer those pressing questions and many others. Learn more about Outthink Wildfire at nfpa.org/Outthinkwildfire.

Across the world, dozens of people each day suffer injuries from electrical hazards such as shocks and arc flashes. Survivors of these incidents list a range of devastating symptoms, from burns and chronic pain, to insomnia, muscle spasms, depression, and various other mental health issues. Many of the full effects of these injuries are still not fully understood. Today on the podcast, our electrical expert Derek speaks with three renowned doctors from the Chicago Electrical Trauma Rehabilitation Institute about what a powerful shock can do to the human body, the treatments available, and how our understanding of these injuries is evolving. Links:

Nfpa.org/facesoffire

Nfpa.org/electricalsolutions/70e

Cetri.org

As building systems become smarter and more interconnected, cybercriminals are increasingly using them as an entry point to launch cyberattacks against businesses, hospitals, and other organizations. Potentially vulnerable targets include fire alarm systems, security systems, HVAC systems, fire sprinklers, elevators, and dozens of others. On today's podcast, Jesse talks to Tyler Robinson, an ethical hacker who has infiltrated all of these systems, to learn why these devices are becoming such a popular target for criminals, and what you should be doing right now to protect yourself. Look for the NFPA Journal cover story on cybersecurity and building systems, out this February at nfpa.org/cybersecurity

There are more than 90,000 female firefighters in the United States, and nearly all of them wear personal protective equipment that was designed for a man. Not surprisingly, many women report that their gear doesn't fit, which can lead to injuries and discourage women from entering the fire service. On today's podcast, Angelo talks to a researcher who is studying how ill-fitting PPE impacts female firefighters, as well as the prospect for developing a female-specific turnout suit (1:15). Then, Robby speaks with a fire captain in Michigan about her first-hand experience with the problems caused by ill-fitting gear (15:02). Links: nfpa.org/journal nfpa.org/foundation

In response to growing concerns about PTSD and suicide among firefighters, the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute created the First Responder Resiliency Program in 2016. The goal is to prepare firefighters for the mental health challenges they face on the job, and to educate them on healthy ways to recover and grow, including asking for help when needed. At least 10,000 first responders have gone through the training, which has expanded over the years to include a four-hour course offered for free across the state. In this episode, Robby talks to the program leaders to learn how it works, the impact it's had, and tips for firefighters and agencies looking to break the stigma attached to mental health issues in the fire service.

LINKS

IFSI Resiliency Program:

https://www.fsi.illinois.edu/content/courses/programs/resiliency/

NFPA Journal articles on first responder behavioral health:

https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/NFPA-Journal/2019/January-February-2019/Columns/First-Responder

https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/NFPA-Journal/2019/January-February-2019/Features/The-Toll-of-Violence

https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/NFPA-Journal/2018/May-June-2018/POV/Perspectives

https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/NFPA-Journal/2014/May-June-2014/Features/Special-report-Firefighter-behavioral-health

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced organizations across the world to rethink how they operate, and NFPA is no exception. Sometimes these unplanned experiments have led to new insights and new efficiencies. In this episode, we look at the ways that the pandemic has impacted the NFPA standards development and revision process, and what's been learned along the way (1:01). Then, we take a look at the ongoing evolution of NFPA's fast-growing training programs, and how the pandemic has sped up advancements in online learning (30:29). Links: www.nfpa.org/process www.nfpa.org/regs www.nfpa.org/training

Shockingly, cooking fires now kill more people on average per year in the US than they did in the 1980s. As Thanksgiving approaches—the day with by far the most incidents—we take a look at the growing problem of cooking fires. First, Jesse talks to NFPA communications manager Susan McKelvey about the causes of cooking fires (0:55), why the problem seems to be getting worse, and resources available for educators to turn the trend around. After that, we explore the science behind the viral videos of turkey-fryer fireballs, and why this popular cooking method can be so dangerous (24:07).

Links:

Dangers of Turkey Fryers Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjUynq0HXdQ

NFPA cooking fire resources:

www.nfpa.org/cooking

www.nfpa.org/fpw

NFPA Journal article on new UL smoke detector standards:

https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/NFPA-Journal/2018/March-April-2018/Features/UL-Smoke-alarm

Community Risk Reduction (CRR) is a term that has popped up everywhere in recent years, from fire departments to federal grants, at conferences, and even in the new standard NFPA 1300. On today's podcast, Jesse talks to NFPA CRR Strategist Karen Berard-Reed (2:20) about a new dashboard that NFPA has created to help fire departments develop CRR programs. Then, (16:16), Robby talks with leaders at two fire departments about their experiences using the CRR dashboard and how departments can sign up to participate in Phase 2 of the pilot program.

Various studies have shown that firefighters are more likely to contract and die from certain types of cancer than the general public. On today's podcast we look at several initiatives underway to better understand the problem and educate first responders. First, (2:52) Robby talks to officials from Florida about statewide efforts to reduce cancer rates among firefighters. Then, (50:07) Jesse checks in with an update on the largest research project now underway to understand the link between firefighting and cancer, the National Firefighter Registry.