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Win The Spirit Custom Harley Davidson Motorcycle!!

"Musharraf Inaugurates Burn Centre"
"Philanthropists Give $1 Million to Health Science Center for Burn Surgery"
"Starbucks Recalling 167,000 Mugs in Canada and U.S. Because of Burn Hazard"
"Iraqi Burn Victim Helped by Government and Private Efforts"
"Studies From Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research Describe New Findings in Mental Health Risk Factors"
"Virtual Reality Project Eases Burn Patients' Pain"
"Burned DC Firefighter Tells His Story"
"UC Davis' Burn Center Will Oversee National Research"
"Researchers' Work From University of Wisconsin Focuses on Thrombosis"
"Studies From Massachusetts General Hospital Yield New Data on Burn Care Research"
"Research From S. Rainey et al Broadens Understanding of Burn Care Research"
"Bio-Advancements Expected to Drive Burn Care Market Growth Up $700 Million"
"Burn Unit Seeing Too Many Young Victims"
"Firefighters Make Their Rounds to Teach Children About Safety"
"Firefighters Efforts Help Fund Burn Unit"
"Stay Safe This Winter, Keep Fireplaces Functioning Properly to Prevent Chimney Fires, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning"
"Fireplaces a Big Burn Risk"
"The Increasing Problem of Wound Bacterial Burden and Infection in Acute and Chronic Soft-Tissue Wounds Caused by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus"
"Burn Center Ready to Open Expansion"

All IAFF members are eligible to win The Spirit, a customized Harley Davidson motorcycle built by Lynn Jones and Lynnco Custom Cycles - makers of The Peacemaker custom-designed motorcycle dedicated to the memory of the late Mattie Stepanek and The Bravest custom-designed motorcycle dedicated to all IAFF fire fighters.


The Spirit motorcycle is a one-of-a-kind, fully customized Harley Davidson Road King. The custom paint (by Chris Cruz) includes an image of a fire fighter and the IAFF logo. This unique bike features chrome spoke wheels, brake calipers, whitewall tires and chrome accessories -- including signal/passing lights, footboards, pedals, levers, mirrors, front end kit, slammer bar and risers, fender trim and engine. In addition, The Spirit offers soft saddlebags and Corbin touring seats with custom backrests.

The Spirit raffle benefits the IAFF Burn Foundation and the Lynn Jones Foundation. Tickets are $100, and only 5,000 tickets will sold.

(click for web site)

"Musharraf Inaugurates Burn Centre"
International News (12/07/07)

Pakistan recently opened its first burn care center for the public sector. The Burn Center at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad is a state-of-the-art, 20-bed facility that will serve patients with burn injuries from across the country. During the opening ceremony, President Pervez Musharraf said PIMS will enable burn survivors to receive quick treatment, and added that the modern facility will help save lives. Construction began on PIMS in 2003, and the project had a cost of 398 million rupees. Musharraf credited the efforts of PIMS management, especially the head of the Burn Center, Dr. Tariq Iqbal, and former executive director of PIMS Dr. Fazl-e-Hadi, with making the facility a reality. He said Pakistan will continue to support PIMS financially.

"Philanthropists Give $1 Million to Health Science Center for Burn Surgery"
San Antonio Business Journal (12/06/07)

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio recently received $1 million to set up an endowed chair of burn and trauma surgery. The money was a gift from local philanthropists Betty and Col. Robert E. Kelso, who wanted to make sure San Antonio continues to be the country's top center for burn and trauma surgery. The chair position has been given to Dr. Steven E. Wolf, a professor of surgery at the university, director of University Hospital's Pediatric Burn Program, and the director of the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center at Brooke Army. Deaths from fires and burns are the 5th most common cause of accidental death in the nation and the third-ranked cause of fatal home injuries.

"Starbucks Recalling 167,000 Mugs in Canada and U.S. Because of Burn Hazard"
Canadian Press (12/06/07)

Starbucks has recalled 167,000 of their Fusion Coffee Mugs being sold in the United States and Canada over burn concerns. According to company representatives, the handle of these mugs can come unattached, causing the coffee to spill. Already Starbucks has had 23 reports of broken handles, nine of which resulted in minor burns. The 14-ounce mugs are white with black plastic handles, a black or brown Starbucks logo, and a stainless steel base. Anyone who purchased the mugs is asked to return them to Starbucks for a full refund.

"Iraqi Burn Victim Helped by Government and Private Efforts"
USInfo.state.gov (12/05/07) Kurata, Phillip

The U.S. government, private U.S. medical groups, and CNN have collaborated to bring a young Iraqi burn survivor to the United States for medical care. U.S. diplomat Jewell Evans played a major part in helping Youssif, the 5-year-old burn survivor, and his family obtain permission to travel from Baghdad to the United States. In January 2007, Youssif was attacked and set on fire by masked men while playing outside his family's home. Then, in August 2007, CNN broadcast Youssif's story in a report that produced a flood of offers to help. The California-based Children's Burn Foundation established a donation fund, and has since collected hundreds of thousands of dollars to cover Youssif's care, including his family's living costs, because Youssif's rehabilitation could take up to one year. The Grossman Burn Center in California is providing the medical treatment free of charge, and Youssif underwent his first operation in September.

"Studies From Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research Describe New Findings in Mental Health Risk Factors"
Disease Prevention Week (12/04/07) P. 361

A new study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research examines physical and mental problems in the parents of adolescents who survive a large fire. The study looked at 273 parents of survivors with burns, 199 parents of survivors without burns, and 1,756 parents whose children were not involved in a burn incident. Electronic medical records were made available for one year before and four years after the fire. The study showed that parents of burn survivors were more likely to develop mental health problems in the two years following the fire. They were also significantly more likely to have cardiovascular problems than the control group. Mothers with lower socioeconomic status were more likely to develop cardiovascular health problems, while mothers of children with a large burn were more inclined to have mental health issues. The report concluded that the statistics showed a family-oriented approach to recovery was better for both the parents and the children.

"Virtual Reality Project Eases Burn Patients' Pain"
Ventura County Star (CA) (12/03/07) Seven, Richard

Cognitive psychologist Hunter Hoffman's virtual reality project is helping burn patients cope with the pain of their injuries. Hoffman's SnowWorld interactive project takes patients with severe burn injuries through glacial caverns, around penguins and tall snowmen, and has them hurl snowballs at targets. Hoffman's project allows burn patients to take their mind off their pain by forcing them to interact with the virtual world. The project, which is being exhibited around the country by the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, is a product of Hoffman's research into virtual reality as analgesia.

"Burned DC Firefighter Tells His Story"
Firehouse.com (11/30/07) Statter, Dave

Charlie Shyab, a fire fighter with the Washington, D.C., Fire and EMS Department, was burned while battling a blaze in October. In a row house adjacent to the fire, Shyab and his crew checked the ground floor for fire before heading upstairs. However, while putting out the fire in the bedroom, Shyab's crew saw fire rising up the interior stairwell, and the amount of fire overwhelmed the hose line. The crew escaped from the house as quickly as possible. Two of the four fire fighters were released after a few days in the hospital, but Shyab and Sgt. Michael LaCore were more seriously injured. Shyab received skin grafts on his wrists and forearms, and spent over two weeks in the Washington Hospital Center Burn Unit. Shyab returns to the burn unit for treatment on a regular basis, and "can't wait to get back to work."

"UC Davis' Burn Center Will Oversee National Research"
Sacramento Bee (CA) (11/29/07) Griffith, Dorsey

The Burns Outcomes Research Infrastructure Project (BORI) aims to spur burn research to a superior level. To that end, the UC Davis Regional Burn Center will coordinate joint research at burn centers nationwide, with help from the American Burn Association and $5 million in funds from the Department of Defense. In the past, burn surgeons have clashed over treatment methods and have struggled to enroll burn patients in clinical trials. Today, the rate of burn survival has been substantially improved by new treatment methods devised over the past decade. However, despite the evolution of burn care, the sector has not implemented broad-based clinical trials of the kind conducted to study cancer and other major maladies. Nevertheless, roughly 1 million Americans are burned annually and many burn survivors undergo challenging and costly recoveries, notes Tina Palmieri of the Davis burn center. As well, burn specialists now recognize the need for standardized treatment and enhanced coordination. These driving factors make BORI a timely endeavor, as does the fact that a growing number of soldiers are returning from war with burn injuries. Indeed, the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research will contribute to the BORI initiative.

"Researchers' Work From University of Wisconsin Focuses on Thrombosis"
Pharma Law Weekly (11/27/07)

To prevent the onset of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in burn survivors, especially in high-risk patients and those with a previous history of thromboembolic disease, doctors may discretionally consider three measures: low-dose subcutaneous heparin, low molecular weight heparin, or sequential compression devices. DVT occurs more frequently than previously believed--in between 1 percent and 23 percent of burn survivors--though this evidence is not substantial enough to warrant in-depth study. Doctors should carry out preventive measures upon first treating burn survivors in triage, but researchers caution that while helpful, low-dose heparin does carry a risk of bleeding.

"Studies From Massachusetts General Hospital Yield New Data on Burn Care Research"
Disease Prevention Week (11/27/07) P. 57

Visits to emergency rooms for burn injury declined from 1993 to 2004, according to data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. An analysis of the data by P.J. Fagenholz and colleagues at Massachusetts General Hospital reveals that the visit rate for men was 2.7 per 1,000 of the U.S. population, compared with 1.8 for women. The visit rate for black subjects was 3.4, compared with 2.1 for white subjects. The upper extremity was the most commonly burned part of the body, and the specified depth of most burns was partial thickness. Only 47 percent of patients received analgesics, and 38 percent received topical antibiotics. "Collaboration between burn specialists and emergency department personnel should focus on the care of these types of injuries," the researchers concluded.

"Research From S. Rainey et al Broadens Understanding of Burn Care Research"
Disease Prevention Week (11/27/07) P. 56

S. Rainey and colleagues have concluded that burn injuries caused by accidents, such as the improper use of gasoline and other accelerants, can add up to substantial stress for the economy and the public health sector. There is a high risk of such accidents in Florida, where burning trash is common because of the climate as well as the deposit of inordinate amounts of debris during hurricane season. Rainey et al said they made "a retrospective quantitative observational study of data stored in the National Trauma Registry database" that accounted for all burn survivors admitted to the Tampa General Regional Burn Center as inpatients between Jan. 1, 2001, and Dec. 31, 2005. The incidence of accelerant-related burn injuries was much higher among young men, and there is an increased number of such injuries in conjunction with hurricane season. The researchers recorded significant variation in the size and severity of accelerant-related injuries, along with the duration of hospital stay. "The results of this study support the development of a community-based educational program directed at burn injury prevention, with special attention to the implications of hurricane season," Rainey and colleagues concluded.

"Bio-Advancements Expected to Drive Burn Care Market Growth Up $700 Million"
Earthtimes (11/26/2007)

A new report by Kalorama Information says the global burn treatment market grew to $1.9 billion from 2001 to 2006. According to the report "Wound Care Markets, Volume II: Burns," the worldwide burn treatment market grew 7.6 percent during that time period. Barring mild market fluctuations due to new technologies, price restrictions, and additional market penetration, the report's author, Mary Anne Crandall, says the market should experience additional growth of $700 million by 2011. "As the wound care markets mature, partnerships are becoming more prevalent as a means of staving off the status quo," she says. "Competitors that offer traditional mature products must look for ways to incorporate advanced wound care products for treating burns into their existing products or to improve the existing products significantly to remain competitive with emerging technologies."

"Burn Unit Seeing Too Many Young Victims"
Canada.com (11/25/07) Cryderman, Kelly

Herat, Afghanistan, has the country's only dedicated burn unit, partly because the region has the greatest need for such a facility. In Afghanistan, the favored method of suicide for young women is self-immolation, and the practice is particularly common in Herat. Self-immolation typically occurs after girls marry into abusive situations or are forced into unwanted engagements. Nearly three in five Afghan girls marry before they reach they legal age of 16, according to the ministry of women's affairs, and roughly 75 percent of girls are thought to be forced into marriages. The Herat unit has treated 70 female burn survivors in 2007, to date. Though some injuries were accidents, self-inflicted burns comprise roughly one-fifth of all cases seen at the unit. Doctors suspect a burn is self-inflicted when it covers more than 40 percent of the survivor's body, as accidental burns are typically quelled before they inflict so much damage. The burn unit has been in operation since 2003, and moved to a brand new facility in October 2007, thanks to a joint effort by the United States, Italy, France, and Afghanistan. The new building has 36 beds and is much safer and more spacious than the old building. Ghafar Bawar has been working in Herat since January 2007. Originally from Afghanistan, Bawar and his family fled the war-torn country in 1992 and ultimately became Canadian citizens. However, on a visit to Afghanistan in 2005, Bawar saw the country's great need for reconstructive surgeons and decided to move back to treat burn survivors in Herat.

"Firefighters Make Their Rounds to Teach Children About Safety"
San Diego Union-Tribune (11/24/07) Inman, Brittany

Children caught in the middle of a house fire may be hesitant to cling to a fully outfitted fire fighter, which is why members of the Bonita-Sunnyside (Calif.) Fire Protection District visit a local library twice a month to educate children about the role of fire fighters. The Bonita Fire Association partnered with the Bonita-Sunnyside Library in early 2007 to create the "Reading With Firefighters" program, where kids come to see what fire protection suits, masks, fire trucks, and other equipment look like. Fire fighters also read informative stories to the children and teach them safety techniques like "stop, drop, and roll." In return, the children are given cookies, stickers, and knowledge about how to respond in case of a fire.

"Firefighters Efforts Help Fund Burn Unit"
The Times & Transcript (New Brunswick) (11/24/07) P. A1; Cochrane, Alan

Fire fighters in Moncton, New Brunswick, recently helped show off new high-tech equipment at a newly renovated burn unit at the Moncton Hospital. Around $70,000 in funding for the new ward was raised by members of Moncton, N.B. Local 999, who began the burn unit fund 30 years ago. Their contribution went to pay for a new burn shower system and other burn equipment, as well as televisions and furniture to make the ward inviting for patients and their families. The new burn unit suite is the first in New Brunswick.

"Stay Safe This Winter, Keep Fireplaces Functioning Properly to Prevent Chimney Fires, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning"
US States News (11/22/07)

The Chimney Safety Institute of America has compiled a list of tips to prevent chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning this winter. In addition to having your chimney inspected and cleaned annually by qualified chimney service professionals, experts advise homeowners to remember to clear away all brush from the chimney. Any debris should be at least 15 feet away from the top of the chimney. Next, homeowners should install a chimney cap to prevent animals and debris from falling in, and select the right fuel. All fires should be well-built, with firewood or fire logs placed at the rear of the fireplace on a supporting grate. The hearth area should be kept clear, and a fireplace screen should always be in place. Homeowners should also install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and never leave fires unattended.

"Fireplaces a Big Burn Risk"
Canada.com (11/18/07) Harrison, Dan

Experts remind parents to be careful not to leave little ones around a glass-fronted gas fireplace. The glass on these types of fireplaces can reach temperatures of 315 degrees Celsius. That is hot enough to pose a severe burn risk, even from a moment's contact. Experts say glass fronted fireplaces should be left off when small children are at home. Or, as an alternative, a screen should be used to keep kids from getting too close. The screen should also remain in place for at least a half hour after the fireplace has been shut off, because the glass remains hot even after the fire has been put out.

"The Increasing Problem of Wound Bacterial Burden and Infection in Acute and Chronic Soft-Tissue Wounds Caused by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus"
Journal of Burns and Wounds (Quarter 4, 2007) Demling, Robert H.; Waterhouse, Barbara

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a major cause of colonization and infection in acute and chronic soft-tissue wounds around the world. The bacterium was largely considered to be a hospital-acquired pathogen, and the health- or hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) is associated with major burns. Clinical reports show that a long stay in a burn center is a risk factor for HA-MRSA, and common epidemics at such sites involve bacteremia, wounds, and lungs. Around 1995, a different strain of MRSA was identified in communities such as long-term care facilities, and community-acquired methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus is now increasing at an even faster pace. The United States had 2 million MRSA carriers in 2001, according to an estimate from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Topical agents are standard care for burn wounds, but the approach is very different from the methods used to manage MRSA. However, topical antimicrobial therapy appears as if it could be a key component for controlling MRSA.

"Burn Center Ready to Open Expansion"
News-Leader (11/14/07) O'Dell, Kathleen

The St. John's Hospital Burn Center in Springfield, Mo., is preparing to open its initial expansion. The $2.8 million initiative increases the facility's size by twofold, earmarking additional space for outpatient services for burn survivors. Treatments such as artificial skin for burns and severe or chronic wounds are so superior that they can lessen a patient's recovery time from several weeks to a few days. This means a lot of patients can return home sooner and come back for outpatient therapy to restore mobility to skin and tendons, according to nursing director Debbie Mikkelson. The facility treats around 1,000 outpatients per year and around 250 inpatients. The expansion will mean that outpatients will have an additional three examination rooms, bringing the number to five overall; a hydrotherapy room; and a physical and occupational therapy exercise room. More space will permit staff to locate outpatient services in a single place, lessening stress on patients, according to assistant nursing director Rich Raymond. All nine inpatient rooms have been transformed into private rooms to enable improved infection control, and a new air and filtration system specifically devised for heat and infection control has been installed.

The inclusion of articles in the IAFF Burn Foundation Briefing does not imply the IAFF or IAFF Burn Foundation's endorsement of their content nor any particular organizations or programs highlighted in these articles. Articles are intended to increase awareness of media coverage of topics relevant to our community and are provided for informational purposes only.

© Copyright 2007 INFORMATION, INC.

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