As an invited speaker at the 2020 OAPFF Winter Education Conference, Mr. Erickson continues to advocate for the safety, health and well-being of our firefighters through fire station design. His presentations to 200 IAFF leaders in Ohio addressed two groundbreaking topics: “Hot Zone Design: Reducing Firefighter Cancer in the Next Generation” and “Immersive Design: Improving Resiliency and Firefighter Behavioral Health.”
Hot Zone Design: Reducing Cancer in the Next Generation
Over the past five years, Mr. Erickson has raised the awareness of the sources of cancer in firefighters through a series of national speaking engagements. In response to the cancer crisis, he has developed an architectural design strategy to reduce cancer by categorizing spaces within the fire station according to the risk of exposure to toxic chemicals and carcinogens. The concepts of “Hot Zone Design” has been adopted nationally by many fire departments and other architects while Paul has continued to advance fire station designs by including enhanced decontamination protocols and creating applications for existing stations and modernization/renovation projects.
Immersive Design: Improving Resiliency and Firefighter Behavioral Health
As advancements are made in the treatment of PTSD and suicide in our first responders, advancements to improve firefighter behavioral health are likewise being made in Immersive Design. Mr. Erickson continues to shape the industry’s understanding of how daylight, color, and connections to nature can improve the overall mental and emotional well-being of today’s firefighters. This talk demonstrated how biophilic design strategies utilize natural materials, daylight and views to enhance the sense of orientation, security and safety for first responders. With a focus on resiliency and the importance circadian rhythms play in natural sleep cycles, Mr. Erickson also addresses the impact of shift work and sleep deprivation.
To learn more about these topics please visit: Embracing Immersive Design / Hot Zone Design
If you are interested in attending one of our upcoming presentations, please visit:
2020 Metro Chiefs Conference
Date: June 5-10, 2020
Location: Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown, Pittsburgh, PA
Presentations:
Immersive Design for Reduction of PTSD and Suicide (Wednesday, June 10, 2020)
Register Now!
2020 Firehouse Station Design Conference
Date: August 10-13, 2020
Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Rosemont, IL
Presentations:
What Should a Station Look Like? Fire/Police/EMS? (Tuesday, August 11,2020)
Decon: Designing Hot Zone Transitions (Wednesday, August 12, 2020)
Immersive Design for Reduction of PTSD and Suicide (Thursday, August 13, 2020)
2020 F.I.E.R.O. Fire Station Design Symposium
Date: September 21-23, 2020
Location: Hyatt Regency, Greenville, South Carolina
Register Now!