POULSBO — For the second year in a row, members of the Poulsbo Fire Department put the public’s safety on the back burner, and focused on their own June 21-23. Residents in the Poulsbo area weren’t ignored, the fire department still responded to emergency calls. But it cancelled its non-emergency programs to attend to its own fire safety.

Poulsbo Fire Department was just one of many across the United States and Canada that looked at their own vulnerabilities when faced with emergency situations during the national Stand Down Day.

“The Poulsbo Fire Department is dedicated to the safety and health of our firefighters so that they can better serve and protect this community,” said Poulsbo Fire Department Battalion Chief Jim Gillard, who is also a training, health and safety officer. “We are taking this opportunity to review specific firefighter fatalities from across the country, to learn from these tragedies, in hopes of preventing a similar tragedy in this community.”

“We mostly just focused that day on the department,” said Poulsbo Fire Community Relations Specialist Jody Matson. “We worked on what the department does to be safe.”

She noted that Gillard’s favorite phrase is “compliancy kills.”

“There are no policy changes in the department,” Gillard said. “This is just reinforcement of safety in the forefront. It’s an opportunity for firefighters to review personal protection.”

During the program, the Poulsbo firefighters went above and beyond normal safety checks, and Matson said they found some gear that was out of date and in need of replacing. Safety drills and training were also a part of the event, along with discussions about accidents and fatalities that happen to firefighters.

According to a July 10 press release sent out by the department, the firefighters focused on emergency vehicle operations and cardiovascular health. Historically, heart problems and attacks are the leading cause of death in firefighters, and emergency vehicle accidents were responsible for 25 percent of fatalities.

“The day reminded me of the importance of little details,” said Poulsbo firefighter Justin Zigler, noting that it challenged his ideas of the importance of physical fitness as well.

Gillard added that while this is only a yearly exercise, many firefighters maintain safety because of it.

“Our firefighters are willing to risk a lot for the citizens of this community,” he said. “For that dedication, this department is committed to providing our firefighters with the training and equipment to do their jobs as safely as possible.”

“The Stand Down also serves to remind our citizens to do their part in keeping our community’s firefighters safe,” stated Poulsbo Fire Deputy Chief of Operations Thomas O’Donohue. “Remember to pull to the right when you see fire trucks or ambulances responding, and use caution when driving by emergency scenes where firefighters or paramedics are helping accident victims.”

The department plans to continue participating in the program next year, reinforcing annually firefighter safety.