1 Developing Fire Department Safety Programs Fire Officer 3 Program

2 Developing Your Program 4 NFPA 1500 gives guidance in our development of fire department safety programs. The 1997 edition spells out specific duties that need to be included in the department safety program. –Your departments requirements will differ from other programs, each department having special needs.

3 Steps in Program Development 4 1. Obtain organizational commitment and support –Chief through the newest firefighter Injury and Death Statistics Utilize case histories and individual department history Risk management techniques Cost benefits of developing / implementing a safety program

4 Steps in Program Development (NFPA ) 4 2. Create organizational statement and policy (NFPA ) –Provides the foundation for all elements of a departments operations. Details what services will be provided Describes how the department will prepare to meet these broad organizational goal. –Training and other tools are mentioned here –Safety in all aspects of department operations

5 Steps in Program Development 4 3. Appoint Safety Officer –Chief makes appointment –Person should comply with the requirements of the NFPA 1521 Standard 1997 edition Fire Officer 1 Certification Background and experience in operations Knowledge of common fireground hazards –Does not have to be one individual –Can combine fire scene operations and department safety management programs

6 Steps in Program Development 4 4. Appoint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (OHSC) – Chief appoints committee made up of all levels of employment and representation Safety Officer must be a member of the OHSC –Safety Officer does not have to be chairperson of committee May allow for objective view of the program

7 Steps in Program Development 4 5. Development of Safety Rules and Policies –Review of work rules or SOG’s for aspects of safety –Utilize existing referenceable materials is key NFPA IFSTA OSFM DuPage County Safety Manual

8 Steps in Program Development 4 6. Enforce Policies and Procedures –Discipline is not part of this process May determine if accidents, injuries or other deviations from policy are preventable or unpreventable All meetings are official records and must be forwarded to the Chief after completion of meeting –May post minutes and recommendations at stations

9 Steps in Program Development 4 7. Practice Safety in All Actions –Fireground –In-station –Training –General duties Correct unsafe acts and conditions before an accident or injury results

10 Typical Program Components 4 Medical Component –Annual Physical –Back to Work Program –Pre-employment –Vaccinations –Injury evaluation

11 Typical Program Components 4 Employee Assistance Program –Substance Abuse –Critical Incident Stress –Financial –General Mental Health –Employee Incentives

12 Typical Program Components 4 Operations –Review specifications –Recommend new purchases –Review operations –Participate in development of SOG’s and revision of SOG’s –General station safety inspections Quarterly inspections recommended

13 Does Your Program Need Help?? 4 Fire Dept. Safety Officers Association 4 NFPA –1500, 1521, 1561, 1410, IFSTA –Safety, Company Officer, Essentials 4 Fire Engineering –Building Collapse, Building Construction, Safety and Survival on Fireground 4 DuPage County Safety Officers Assoc..

14 Steps in Program Development 4 Obtain organizational commitment and support 4 Create organizational statement and policy 4 Appoint safety officer 4 Establish / appoint safety committee 4 Develop safety rules (policies) 4 Enforce policy and procedure 4 Safety in all actions

15 Duties of Safety Committee 4 Hold regular meetings –2 per year minimum 4 Investigate injuries 4 Investigate accidents –Prepare committee review report with findings 4 Review specifications 4 Develop forms and reporting/record keeping process 4 Everything done in writing to Chief