FFFWY members,

This bill, SF018 is going to be amended in order to be narrowly focused towards first responders.  The action on this bill is a result of the Federated Fire Fighters of Wyoming participation in the Joint Labor Committee interim study on Workers Compensation.  We met with lawmakers twice throughout the year in Casper and the result may be a law protecting first responders with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  We will have to see how this one comes out.  Please contact me with any questions.

Fraternally,

Joe Fender, President FFFWY

fender@fffwy.org

FFFWY members,

The legislation related to Early Detection Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Alarms (HB187), can be tracked under the Politics and Legislation heading at the top of the page, click on Wyoming legislature and you can get to the bill and check its status.  This bill will be amended to include Photoelectric and Ionization detectors.  Also, in the bills current state, it would include changes to commercial construction.  This will also be amended, and the bill would only apply to newly constructed residential structures.  As many of you know, photoelectric is better at detecting smoldering fires and Ionization is marginally better at detecting flaming fires.  The majority of fires are of the smoldering type.  Photoelectric detectors can give up to 30 minutes more notice in a smoldering fire than that of Ionization.  The bill will however include the Ionized type for the instances where there are flaming fires in residences.  This bill will save lives.  The thing I like to see when I roll up to a house fire in the middle of the night are all the family members, accounted for, and standing in the front yard.  If you have any questions as to why we are involved in this important public safety bill, please look at the mission statement. 

As for Carbon Monoxide, Wyoming is one of 25 states which still doesn't require CO detectors in any residential structure.  You may be asked the question with regards to the specific smoke alarms "why are we going outside the IRC, or going above it."  Well they don't say that about CO as much because of the amount of people CO kills every year in this country.  We know as firefighters why there are studies on anything.  It is because someone died, and the same thing can be said about the evolution of our protective equipment.  The same is true with technology as it relates to public safety.  The codes don't keep up with reality or technology, and that's why if we save one life with this legislation, than it is worth it.

If you need further information, please contact me.

Fraternally,

Joe Fender, President FFFWY

fender@fffwy.org