Creating a Tradition of Safety Bob Day NYS Certified Safety Officer

Chief is overall responsible for safety Delegates Ensure improving safety on a continual process Provide adequate resources Helps members understand safety while on training, fireground, responding and returning, and in the station

Safety Officer Direct obligation to focus on safety aspects of the operation Has authority to alter, suspend, or terminate unsafe acts or dangerous activities Can bypass the chain of command to correct any perilous actions and remove personnel from immediate danger

Develop a Safety Culture Embrace the concept of working safely No longer tolerate behavior potentially hazardous to members Have a Safety and Health committee Establish Safety goals and objectives Indoctrinate new members with the importance of safety tradition there first day of training

Employ crew resource management Refers to the effective use of all resources to minimize errors, improve safety and improve performance Uses communications, skills, teamwork, task allocation, decision making, situational awareness TEAMWORK – Everyone works together and watches out for each other Accountability – Know where your FF’s are

Accountability Program Required by PESH Accountability program all personnel know Incident Commander establish an accountability officer, not done by the Safety Officer Used when a Mayday is called

MARC Member Accountability Roll Call Should be conducted every 20 minutes for FF’s in an IDLH environment The IC shall make a report over the radio of the progress of the incident. If no progress is being made, a change in strategy and tactics is probably needed

Apparatus Safety is Paramount 25% FF fatalities occur responding or returning Personnel in Full turnout before climbing aboard. Don SCBA onboard SEATBELTS Driver and Officer responsible for seated and seatbelted personnel aboard

Know where you are going Map book When in doubt, ask dispatcher to repeat location Preplans Road construction MUTCD Traffic Vests for MVA

Develop and enforce driving standards Training Requirements Annual training for drivers True emergency Weather conditions POV’s to station or scene SEATBELTS!!!

Be fully prepared for interior firefighting operations Personnel operating in a hostile environment must have basic fire behavior and FF tactics Incident Command Rapid intervention team Automatic Mutual Aid NFPA 1720

Implement and enforce respiratory protection standards OSHA 2in/2out Chief is responsible Physicals/Fit tests Personal face piece 2 bottle rule enforced Line Officers understand RPS program

Read the smoke Fire Conditions can change rapidly IC’s and Safety Officers responsible for monitoring immediate risks. This should start with smoke assessment and ability to “read” smoke conditions. How much volume, speed leaving. Density and color Flashover and back draft potential

Risk management assessment Initial size-up on scene Offensive or defensive attack Size, location, and stage of fire GPM for size of structure Enough personnel for structure Correct sized hand lines for GPM High Frequency/Low risk???

10 Rules of Engagement No building is worth the life of a FF All interior firefighting involves inherent risk Some risk is acceptable, in a measured and controlled manner No level of risk is acceptable where there is no potential to save live or savable property FF’s shall not be committed to interior offensive operations in abandoned or derelict buildings

10 Rules of Engagement (cont) All feasible measures shall be taken to limit or avoid risks though risk assessment by qualified officer. It is the responsibility of the incident commander to evaluate the level of risk in every situation. If conditions change and risk increases, change strategy and tactics.

10 Rules of Engagement (cont) No building or property is worth the life of a firefighter.

Use Thermal Imaging cameras Allows FF’s to see though smoke. More effective primary and secondary search Efficient and quick assessment of fire conditions and spread potential. Ability to read temperatures Search for hot spots. Locate downed FF’s

Be aware of overhaul hazards Use of full PPE required for overhaul Measure Carbon Monoxide levels SCBA for inhalation hazards such as CO and airborne contaminants ie- dust, asbestos, smoke Tripping hazards, sharp objects such as nails, metals, or broken glass Structural integrity of building

NFPA Standards 1710 & 1720 Guidelines for Career and Volunteer Depts for Initial Attack. Adequate Staffing Offensive vs Defensive Capabilities to deliver the required fire flow Proper sized hand lines or master streams

Qualified Officers Incident Command Training Experience Education Good ole boys Able to change with the current times Encourage training for all members Minimum qualifications for Chiefs and Line Officers

Know when to call for Mayday Lack of training May be too late to address the problems Train on Mayday procedures Don’t become complacent It is not a sign of weakness to call Mayday Know when to call mayday!!

Residential fires and Commercial structures are not the same Train in both Know the different types of building construction Buildings kill Firefighters (Charleston, SC) Preplan your buildings

Manage your air supply Air consumption varies with the individual’s physical condition and level of training. Waiting until the low-air alarm sounds may not provide adequate time for exiting the hazardous environment 30 min vs 45 mi vs 60 min SCBA’s

PPE vs Moisture Moisture barrier and water absorption are critical factors in burn injuries Changes in thermal environment can cause serious injuries. Train so that you can recognize how moisture affects your PPE

Constantly be aware of your situation Awareness Reality – what is really going on Perception – what we think is going on Maintain a high state of alertness Remain vigilant for conditions changing

REHAB Set up on all working incidents Medical evaluation, fluid replenishment, and rest to the rehab area. 2 bottle rule Assigned to rehab after of exhaustive work. Pre – medical sheet with vitals for all dept members

Operating on highways Never trust approaching traffic Avoid turning you back to approaching traffic Wear high-visibility reflective vests Know the rules of MUTCD Have a blocker for personnel Use traffic cones and flagger Watch out for the five “D”s – Drunk, Drugged, Distracted, Drowsy, Dumb

Fire Attack Plan 2/3 nations fire depts are understaffed Worst shortage is volunteers NFPA 1720 – FD shall identify minimum staffing requirements to ensure that sufficient numbers of members are available to operate safely and effectively.

In conclusion Safety is everyone responsibility Dept’s should establish a safety and health committee Safety Officer’s should take Incident Safety Officers Course

THE END References: Thomas W. Aurnhammer, 2007, Creating a Tradition of Safety; Fire Engineering Magazine July 2007 Bob Day, 2007, NYS Fire Instructor, NYS Certified Safety Officer