Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives

1. Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives FirefighterLife Safety Resource Kit Make Everyday a Training Day…So that Everyone Goes Home c. 2006 NFFF

2. In April of 2004, fire service leaders from across the United States gathered in Tampa Florida. At this summit meeting they began to design a new fire service culture. This new culture will be built on the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives so that Everyone Goes Home.

3. Ten Years50% Reduction 2004 Five Years25% Reduction 2009 2014 Life Safety Initiatives Program Goal Since 1984, 3175 firefighters have died in the Line of Duty—many thousands more have been injured. We accept 100 deaths every year as normal

4. Prevention • Structural Firefighting • Wildland Operation • Health, Wellness & Fitness • Vehicles • Training The Initiatives Address Six Focus Areas

5. Ineffective Policies & Procedures • Ineffective Decision Making • Lack of Preparedness • Ineffective Leadership • Lack of Personal Responsibility (inappropriate behavior) • Extraordinary & unpredictable circumstances The initiatives Address Six Root Causes for LODDs

7. Initiative # 1 Define and advocate the need for acultural changewithin the fire service relating to safety; incorporatingleadership, management, supervision, accountabilityandpersonal responsibility.

8. What Initiative #1 Means Cultural change has to begin with informal leaders, managers, supervisors. From top to bottom: the culture of the fire service must change. You can change your behavior TODAY. • Be part of the “NEW” Fire Service Safety Culture • Examine your attitudes & behaviors regarding safety • Realize that change is not a threat to the organization • Embrace Health & Wellness programs & practice them • Lead by your own example & make the difference—be an agent of change

9. Initiative # 2 Enhance the personal and organizational accountability for health and safety throughout the fire service.

10. What Initiative #2 Means Each fire service organization must promote safe practices; each individual must have the tools to be safe and adhere to safe practices at ALL TIMES. • Follow SOPs at all times • Train/Learn/Teach everyday • Utilize Incident Command System • Adhere to Vehicle Inspection Schedules • Schedule and stick to equipment checks • “Strap in and Stay In” • Don’t take the environment for granted

11. Initiative # 3 Focus greater attention on the integration of risk management with incident management at all levels, including strategic, tactical, and planning responsibilities.

12. What Initiative #3 Means Learn the concept of “Risk Management”; Ensure everyone understands the difference between and acceptable risk and an unacceptable risk. Develop and implement a system to pre-identify unacceptable risks. • Risk a lot to save a lot; risk a little to save a little • Review every call • Develop Command Teams • Follow SOPs…Follow SOPs • Know the function and status of every firefighter on the incident scene…Everyone must be accounted for at all times

13. No Helmet & Not using SCBA Initiative # 4 All firefighters must be empowered to stop unsafe practices.

14. What Initiative #4 Means Firefighters must be allowed to identify and report unsafe practices. They must be able to stop activities that present imminent harm to themselves or others, without fear of penalty or reprisal. • Be aware of safe practices and look for unsafe ones • Take the initiative to develop and implement procedures to enable and empower firefighters to stop unsafe conditions in training, on the fire ground and during routine operations • Never question integrity of those who speak out for safe fire ground operations

15. Initiative # 5 Develop and implement national standards for training, qualifications, and certification (including regular re-certification) that are equally applicable to all firefighters based on the duties they are expected to perform.

16. What Initiative #5 Means Fire service departments are recognizing national certification standards as a way to measure the competency of their members. National standards encourage departments to operate at higher levels of effectiveness • Seek state and national certifications at all levels of your fire department employment • Support efforts toward mandatory re-certification or refresher training; refreshing teaches new methods and improves skills which are used infrequently

17. Initiative # 6 Develop and implement national medical and physical fitness standards that are equally applicable to all firefighters, based on the duties they are expected to perform.

18. What Initiative #6 Means In this profession, health and wellness are non-negotiable. Departments should establish and enforce SOPs which support wellness; individuals must embrace wellness as a strategy for successful fire service careers or seek employment elsewhere. • Adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle, including making healthful food choices and regular exercise • Don’t smoke/Don’t do drugs/Alcohol in moderation • Follow all health and wellness SOPs • Be a Good Example • Understand the impact your death would have on your family, co-workers and community

19. Initiative # 7 Create a national research agenda and data collection system that relates to the initiatives.

20. What Initiative #7 Means We won’t know if we are living the initiatives if we do not collect data. Data analysis is the key to making any course corrections regarding the Life Safety Initiatives. It will also provide important corollary data. • Encourage your department to participate in national data recovery systems such as NFIRS • Support data gathering at the local level • Be vocal with local politicians about where your tax money is spent—urge them to support our national agenda for firefighter safety

21. Initiative # 8 Utilize available technology wherever it can help produce higher levels of health and safety

22. What Initiative #8 Means It is irresponsible not to use technology when it can improve safety outcomes. Technological solutions should be a leverage and a tool for improving fire ground safety. • Attend conferences to keep abreast of new technologies and take this knowledge back to your department • Encourage your department to employ Command and Rescue vehicles on scene which are equipped with technological advance systems which can be integrated into the command system • Become the technology geek of your department

23. Initiative # 9 Thoroughly investigate all firefighter fatalities, injuries, and near misses.

24. What Initiative #9 Means Even if your organization is uncomfortable with sharing information about a fatality, injury, or near-miss incident, it is a moral obligation to do so. Knowing what happened can prevent it from happening again. • Implement investigations without delay—learning can begin immediately • Be familiar with NIOSH, FEMA, USFA, CDC, NFPA reports. They can be studied to increase safety • Encourage the collection of “near-miss” data. Near-miss incidents provide excellent learning/training tools • Look for “Fatal Chain of Errors”