South Carolina Fire Academy Fire and Life Safety Initiatives Firefighter II CTC Program Chapter 21 Fire and Life Safety Initiatives

Private dwelling fire safety surveys are performed on a voluntary basis Can provide information on amount, kind of safety equipment in home Not subject to same requirements of local codes Survey – Indicate hazards, suggest corrective action Treat as educational opportunity – Not enforcement

The fire survey is an opportunity to achieve several goals Look for common causes of fires Complete survey form, provide copy to occupant Look for common causes of residential fires Educate public Recommend actions for eliminating non-fire related hazards

Planning and public relations are also aspects of these surveys Advanced planning Required to gain full acceptance Main objectives Prevent accidental fires Improve life safety conditions Help understand and improve conditions Benefits of surveys Citizens know and can trust firefighters Citizens feel department concerned about welfare Increased goodwill can translate into budget support

These surveys offer several kinds of opportunities Promote education after identifying hazards Gain information through surveys Use information gathered to meet community needs, generate specific messages Post survey follow up or notification of survey

Firefighters should take the survey seriously and use several guidelines Conduct surveys in teams of two or more Dress appropriately and act professionally Introduce yourself, your partner, provide proper identification Explain survey procedure (Cont.)

Firefighters should take the survey seriously and use several guidelines Maintain a courteous, businesslike attitude at all times Focus on preventing fires, eliminating life safety hazards Compliment occupants when favorable conditions are found Offer constructive suggestions for correcting or eliminating hazardous conditions (Cont.)

Firefighters should take the survey seriously and use several guidelines Ask to survey all rooms; including garage If accessible, survey basement Ask to survey attic if used for storage or contains heating or cooling unit, if accessible Ask occupant to open any closed doors (Cont.)

Firefighters should take the survey seriously and use several guidelines Discuss survey results with owner/occupant, answer any questions Thank owners or occupants for invitation into home Leave behind educational materials appropriate for occupants Keep results of survey confidential; do not share results with any outside entity

After the survey is completed, there are several actions to take Post survey Leave checklist Give copy of recommendations Follow SOPs to recommend repairs Leave materials To indicate you tried to contact Unstamped materials should not be placed in mailbox Document Per local SOPs

There are several basic skills to use when presenting safety messages Audience-centered Good development of ideas Good organization of ideas Best choice of words Good delivery skills (Cont.)

There are several basic skills to use when presenting safety messages Good vocal characteristics Conversational tone Positive attitude Appropriate use of humor Personal style Know your topic

Audiences will vary and are divided into several categories Present the message Based on demographics If more than one – Prepare for the more challenging (Cont.)

Audiences will vary and are divided into several categories Age Educational level Cultural diversity Socioeconomic Physical ability

Fire and life safety messages need to meet certain criteria to be effective Accurate Use developed resources Guidelines for answering questions Positive Remember positive rather than negative Instruct what to do, not what not to do Targeted Based on several factors Life changing events Seasonal messages

You should use one of several patterns to organize your message to help make it understandable Known-to-Unknown Simple-to-Complex Whole-part-Whole Step-by-Step

Classroom considerations Presenting to young children requires addressing specific considerations Classroom considerations (Cont.)

Presenting to young children requires addressing specific considerations Children’s common fears Appropriate vocabulary (Cont.)

Presenting to young children requires addressing specific considerations Learning style

Fire station tours provide several opportunities you need to understand Enhance department’s public image Provide fire and life safety messages Distribute safety awareness literature May be spur-of-the-moment or scheduled

Fire station tours require planning and following of safety guidelines (Cont.)

Fire station tours require planning and following of safety guidelines Decide where group goes in case of alarm Decide with Officer in charge Explain before tour Remember impressions left will be strong ones Turn off TVs Present professional workplace (Cont.)

Fire station tours require planning and following of safety guidelines Answer all questions Courteously To best of ability Follow local SOPs regarding Climbing on apparatus Pictures Trying on protective clothing (Cont.)

Fire station tours require planning and following of safety guidelines Do not allow to roam unescorted Meet upon arrival Keep together until tour begins Demonstrate equipment, apparatus with caution Position to prevent visitors from straying Exercise caution when activating sirens Station mascots Can be liability May need to restrict presence

Pre-incident planning surveys gather information before an emergency occurs May assist with Locating, controlling fire Locating occupants Determining potential hazards Improving emergency operations Improving both firefighter, occupant safety

Documentation for pre-incident planning surveys show specific details and are used to reach several goals Details Type of Construction Floor plan or layout Contents Occupancy type Hazardous materials storage Special processes Fire detection and suppression systems Fuel load Goals Become familiar with structures Recognize existing hazards Visualize how standard tactics may or may not apply Develop new tactics if necessary Determine if occupants have conditions that may prohibit self-evacuation Determine if occupants may require translators

Pre-incident and code enforcement surveys are separate types of surveys Become familiar with structure Inspections See if occupants complied with codes

Pre-incident planning surveys generally follow the same steps Follow local SOPs Obtain floor plans (Cont.)

Pre-incident planning surveys generally follow the same steps Conduct thorough survey May need more than one visit Survey buildings separately Discuss results with owner/occupant

Maps, drawings, and photographs can provide useful documentation Helpful to firefighters Contain information May be prepared by insurance carriers If unavailable or outdated Include plot drawing Note other important features, information (Cont.)

Maps, drawings, and photographs can provide useful documentation Use common symbols (Cont.)

Maps, drawings, and photographs can provide useful documentation May create with Geographic Information System (GIS) Other electronic mapping program Take photographs if permitted Captures detail not in drawings Most useful in preincident plans Take from elevated position if possible Interior, close-ups effective Video may be made for training if possible

Summary Fire and life safety initiative programs benefit both the community and the fire department. Firefighters are an important part of that initiative by providing information to the public and preparing to respond to emergencies by surveying occupied properties.