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Win The Spirit Custom Harley Davidson Motorcycle!!

"Fire Medic to Represent State at D.C. Burn Camp"
"The Impact of Design Variables and Aftercare Regime on the Long-Term Performance of Pressure Garments"
"Fire Safety Essay Contest for Students in K-8"
"National Study of Emergency Department Visits for Burn Injuries, 1993 to 2004"
"Babytalk/American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Childproofing"
"Charleston Uniform Under Scrutiny"
"Children's Burn Foundation to Cover Medical, Rehabilitation Costs for Iraqi Boy Set on Fire by Masked Men"
"Burn Size Predicts Hypermetabolic Response That Drives Mortality Risk"
"At This Va. Camp, Burn Survivors Find Friendship and Acceptance"
"Burn Center Should Be Campaign Issue"
"Burn Centers: Latest Victim of the Health Care Crisis"
"Freedom, Fun on Display at Youth Camp for Burn Victims"
"Great Lakes Burn Camp Offers Participants Fun, Fond Memories"
"Research From University of California Has Provided New Data on Burn Care"
"How to Build a Support Community"

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)

"Fire Medic to Represent State at D.C. Burn Camp"
Birmingham News (AL) (09/12/07) Batson Jr., Roger

Roger Cofer, a fire medic from Hoover, Ala., for the past seven years has been volunteering at the Children's Hospital of Alabama's burn camp. Now the hospital has chosen him to represent the state at the 12th annual International Association of Fire Fighters National Children's Burn Camp in Washington, D.C. From Sept. 22 to Sept. 28, Cofer will accompany a young burn survivor on a tour of the nation's capital. They will meet with federal officials and get to know other fire fighters. Cofer is the first fire fighter from Alabama selected to attend.

"The Impact of Design Variables and Aftercare Regime on the Long-Term Performance of Pressure Garments"
Journal of Burn Care & Research (10/01/2007) Vol. 28, No. 5, P. 725; Macintyre, Lisa; Gilmartin, Sian; Rae, Michelle

Researchers tested pressure garments by simulating wearing and washing to determine how well they hold up during a period of "use." They constructed 26 sets of three replicate pressure garment sleeves from four powernet fabrics, making use of three reduction factors and six sleeve dimensions. The pressure garment sleeves were extended for 23 hours on static cylinder models, then up to 28 times by hand or machine laundry, and some also were exposed to moisturizers while they were extended. The results show that all pressure garments suffered some tension loss over time and use, and those that were designed to exert greater pressures degraded faster. Contact with moisturizers quickened degradation of pressure-delivering properties, as did hand-washing. Powernet fabrics should be prestressed before they are designed and constructed. Patients should wash them by machine to help ensure longer performance.

"Fire Safety Essay Contest for Students in K-8"
Chicago Sun-Times (09/04/07)

The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance has issued a call for submissions to a student writing contest. The contest will be open to children from Kindergarten to 8th grade. Submissions to this year's contest will address the theme, "Fire safety is a lesson for life because it teaches me and my family how to... ." Winners will attend the Fire Prevention Week Luncheon and have their entries published in the Chicago Sun-Times.

"National Study of Emergency Department Visits for Burn Injuries, 1993 to 2004"
Journal of Burn Care & Research (10/01/2007) Vol. 28, No. 5, P. 681; Fagenholz, Peter J.; Sheridan, Robert L.; Harris, N. Stuart

Visits to emergency departments for burns are declining, but men, African-Americans, and children should still be targeted in burn-prevention efforts because their visit rates are still high. Using data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey between 1993 and 2004, researchers note that 1995 was the peak year for burn injuries with 2.8 for every 1,000 of the U.S. population, and the low point was 2004 with 1.6. Men had more burn injuries at 2.7, while women had a rate of 1.8; blacks had a burn injury rate of 3.4 compared with 2.1 for whites. Burn injuries declined for all groups. Burn specialists and Emergency Department personnel also should work together to provide care for upper extremity and partial-thickness injuries because they were most common. The collected data shows that the upper extremity accounted for 37 percent of burned parts of the body, and partial thickness represented 48 percent of the specified depth. Also, 47 percent of patients received analgesics and 38 percent received topical antibiotics.

"Babytalk/American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Childproofing"
Baby Talk (09/01/2007) Vol. 72, No. 7, P. 62; Berkelhamer, Jay E.

Parents can childproof their homes and prevent burns using simple steps and common sense. To begin, parents should create a space out of the way of foot traffic and childproof the area. In the kitchen, parents can start by turning the handles of pots and pans toward the back of the stove and using the back burners when possible. Parents should also install childproof latches on oven doors and cabinets. When it comes to the stove, experts say parents should use stove knob covers or remove knobs altogether when not in use. Experts add that parents might also consider blocking burners with barriers, and bundling loose appliance cords with a rubber band. Hot water heaters should be set to 120 degrees F or lower, and ground-fault circuit interrupters should be placed over power sockets near sinks. When not in use, all electrical appliances should be stored away in a locked drawer or placed on a high surface so they are out of reach of children.

"Charleston Uniform Under Scrutiny"
Firehouse.com (08/29/07) Menchaca, Ron; Smith, Glenn

The Charleston, S.C., fire department has faced increasing scrutiny in the aftermath of a June 18 furniture store fire in which nine fire fighters lost their lives. As part of an examination of the department's safety standards, concerns have been raised about Charleston fire fighters' uniforms. Currently, fire fighters wear 100 percent polyester uniforms underneath their protective gear when responding to fires. This kind of material can raise major safety issues if exposed to heat because it can melt into the skin, complicating burn injuries. The recent investigation is part of an ongoing debate over the uniforms. Some officials argue flammability is a non-issue because uniforms are worn under protective gear. Unfortunately, if fire fighters' gear is removed or compromised, the polyester would be a serious hazard. For this reason, most fire departments have already switched to cotton uniforms because they are safer and more comfortable. Whether Charleston will follow suit in the wake of the safety investigation remains to be seen.

"Children's Burn Foundation to Cover Medical, Rehabilitation Costs for Iraqi Boy Set on Fire by Masked Men"
Market Wire (08/24/07)

The Children's Burn Foundation in Sherman Oaks, Calif., has agreed to absorb the medical and rehabilitation costs for an Iraqi boy who was set on fire by masked men earlier this year. The foundation, which will also pay for the transportation expenses for Youssif and his family, will cover all medical costs, including counseling. "If there is any good that can come of this tragedy, it's that Youssif's story will inspire people to learn more about the needs of severely burned children and offer their support to Youssif and other children like him," says Barbara Friedman, executive director of the Children's Burn Foundation.

"Burn Size Predicts Hypermetabolic Response That Drives Mortality Risk"
MedPage Today (08/23/07) Bankhead, Charles

Burn-associated mortality risk for children is influenced by the severity of the hypermetabolic and inflammatory reaction, in addition to insufficient heart activity. The severity of the reaction is directly linked to the size of the burn, according to a study by the Shriners Hospital for Children in Texas. The study involved reviewing almost 200 pediatric burn cases. Patients with larger burns required a greater number of operations and were more at risk for lethal infections and sepsis. Those with the largest burns also expended the most energy while at rest, and the size of their livers often grew substantially due to urine cortisol concentration. The patients underwent a series of tests during their hospital stay, including ultrasound and blood tests to monitor energy expenditure and liver size.

"At This Va. Camp, Burn Survivors Find Friendship and Acceptance"
Daily Press (Virginia) (08/21/07) Cizmar, Martin

The Mid-Atlantic Burn Camp seeks to build the esteem of children who have survived severe burns. The camp, which began 19 years ago, pursues its objective with traditional and not-so-traditional camping activities such as horseback riding and hang-gliding. "It challenges them in ways they're not normally challenged," says camp counselor Gregory Hammett. "They don't feel like they're burned, they feel like a regular kid because no one treats them differently." The camp drew 45 campers this year, but has hosted up to 60, according to camp counselor and Ellicott City, Md., fire fighter Brent Miller. The annual retreat attracts children from the Mid-Atlantic corridor, including Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.

"Burn Center Should Be Campaign Issue"
Hattiesburg American (Miss.) (08/20/07)

Voters in Mississippi are being urged to question candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, and state legislative seats about their support for the creation of a burn unit at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMC). Although the legislature has given UMC permission to build the unit, it has not provided the necessary funding. Mississippi has the highest instance of fire-related deaths in the country.

"Burn Centers: Latest Victim of the Health Care Crisis"
KCBS (08/19/07)

Verified burn centers are closing nationwide due to the current crisis in healthcare. Burn center upkeep is costly and, because many burn survivors do not possess health insurance, burn centers are losing money. However, such facilities provide treatment that cannot be obtained at standard hospitals. In San Francisco, two East Bay burn centers have shut down. The city's not-for-profit St. Francis Hospital is expanding its Bothin Burn Center to handle the resulting increase in patient admissions, according to James Macho, medical director.

"Freedom, Fun on Display at Youth Camp for Burn Victims"
Kansas City Star (08/18/07) Bavley, Alan

A special burn camp in Missouri is offering children a chance to have fun in a safe setting. The Missouri Children's Burn Camp hosts dozens of children with severe burns a week each summer in the hopes of providing them an opportunity to do the same things as other children at traditional camps, except with the support of other kids, counselors, and staff who have experienced similar trauma. Camp director Linda Hansen launched the camp with her husband, Gary, eleven years ago as part of their Burns Recovered Support Group. Gary, along with a third of the camp's staff, is a burn survivor. Fire fighters, teachers, and nurses are among a host of volunteers who come to lend a hand annually.

"Great Lakes Burn Camp Offers Participants Fun, Fond Memories"
Kalamazoo Gazette (MI) (08/17/07) Pangi, Robyn

This summer, Michigan locals are going all out to welcome back campers to the Great Lakes Burn Camp. The camp has helped over 900 kids since it was founded by burn survivor Chris Klavon in the summer of 2005. Located at Pretty Lake Vacation Camp in Mattawan, Mich., Great Lakes expects about 100 kids this year. Thanks to the hard work of volunteers and fundraisers, every kid is able to attend for free. One such dedicated individual is retired fire fighter Ed Halcomb, who organized a concert to benefit the camp.

"Research From University of California Has Provided New Data on Burn Care"
Medical Device Business Week (08/15/07)

A review published in the Journal of Pain appraises burn injury pain management, which is a complex process involving multiple phases of burn recovery and multiple types of pain. Researchers explain that moderate pain to severe pain continues to be reported by patients who have undergone burn injuries. Researchers believe current pain management guidelines have failed because the intensity of pain connected to wound treatment and rehabilitation fluctuates considerably over the three stages of burn recovery. This changeability makes it difficult to approximate analgesic requirements and gauge opioids' effects. As a result, burn-injured patients may be overmedicated or undermedicated. Proper pain management therefore requires comprehension of the mechanisms that shape the variability and intensity of burn injury pain over time. In the review, the researchers outline how the three types of pain linked to burn injuries interfere with the three stages of burn recovery, and discuss improvements that could be made in pharmacologic pain management strategies over the entire course of burn injury care.

"How to Build a Support Community"
Burn Support News (Quarter 3, 2007) Gonzalez, Tony; Bennett, Barry

Loyola University Medical Center was chosen to be a SOAR (Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery) hospital in 2001 as part of a pilot program aimed at training volunteers to perform hospital-based peer support. Initially, two SOAR coordinators and 12 volunteers were taught to work with newly injured burn survivors. Since 2001, the program has recorded over 450 peer visits. Roughly one-forth of those visited filled out a satisfaction survey regarding the quality of the visit. On a scale ranging from 0 for completely unsatisfied to 7 for completely satisfied, Loyola's peer support visits garnered an average score of 6.3. Those involved in the program feel strongly that peer support should continue after patients are discharged from the hospital. To encourage participation in support group meetings, peer supporters personally invite burn survivors to attend, rather than depending on mailed brochures. On average, meetings have about 20 attendees. The group provides a safe environment for survivors and their families to bond and to learn. The SOAR staff is currently striving to increase the group's visibility and to address the needs of the group's participants, who are often at different stages of recovery.

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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