Firefighter

Safety
SAFETY
2
Why Have a Safety Program ?
1 of every 12
firefighters will be
injured in the line of
duty this year
3
Why Have a Safety Program ?
Since 1988, an average of 100
firefighters per year were
killed in the line of duty
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Why Have a Safety Program ?
Worcester, Massachusetts
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Why Have a Safety Program ?
Emmitsburgh, Maryland
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Why Have a Safety Program ?
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Why Have a Safety Program ?
Fatalities by Type of Duty
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Why Have a Safety Program ?
Type of Emergency Duty
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Laws & Regulations
COMM 30
FD Safety & Health

COMM 32
Public Employee Safety & Health

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Laws & Regulations
Written as recommendations, many NFPA
Standards are adopted through reference
in COMM 30

NFPA 1001 FF Professional Qualifications
NFPA 1002 Driver / Operator Qualifications
NFPA 1403 Live Fire Training
NFPA 1901 Pumper Fire Apparatus
NFPA 1981 SCBA
NFPA 1983 Life Safety Rope, Harnesses, and Hardware
11
Laws & Regulations
Although Wisconsin is not an OSHA State,
many OSHA Standards are adopted
through reference in COMM 32

Part 1904 Recording & Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
Part 1910 Occupational Safety & Health
Bloodborne Pathogens
Hazardous Materials
Respiratory Protection
Confined Space Entry
Lockout / Tagout
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Laws & Regulations
Many other documents are recognized as industry
standards, but unless adopted by reference in COMM
30 & 32, they are not legally enforceable and merely
serve as recommendations.
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Laws & Regulations
Although FFs in WI are waived from having Commercial
Driver License (CDL) Certification, they DO have to abide by
the CDL requirements of State Statute 346.63.
This statute clearly stipulates that no person
may operate or be on-duty . . .
while having a blood-alcohol concentration
above 0.0,
within 4 hours of having consumed or
having been under the influence of an
intoxicating beverage, or
while possessing an intoxicating beverage,
regardless of its alcohol content.
OTIS
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Fire Department Safety Officer
Assists the Fire Chief in the
ultimate responsibility
for the safety and health
of the fire fighter.
Safety
Officer
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Fire Department Safety Officer
Qualifications
FD member
Knowledge of state / local
laws (COMM 30 - 32)
Knowledge of potential
hazards related to firefighting
Knowledge of principles /
techniques of managing a
safety & health program
Safety
Officer
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Fire Department Safety Officer
Duties
Safety & Health Committee
Safety in workplace
Safety in training
Incident safety
Records management
Policy and procedure
development
Safety
Officer
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Fireground Safety Officer (Sector)
Sector Officer
Time Keeping (SCBA)
Accountability (PAR)
Building Survey (Size-Up)
Operations
Accident/Injury Investigation
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Firefighter Safety
Safety Committee
Representatives of FD
Management
Labor
Others
Responsibilities
Research & Development
Make recommendations
Hold bi-annual meetings
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Firefighter Safety
Training
Establish a program to prevent occupational accidents,
deaths & injuries.
Qualified Instructors anyone who is knowledgeable in
the topic, not necessarily a certified instructor.
Training must match duties and include training in the
Incident Management System (IMS)

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Firefighter Safety
Training
Monthly training in structural firefighting (or related
topics SCBA, ladders, etc.)
Live fire training must follow NFPA 1403
FFs must be trained in procedures to effect his or her
safe exit from a dangerous area if equipment fails or
fire conditions change suddenly
Backdraft flashover safety & survival
bldg. construction -RI T

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Firefighter Safety
The solution is early,
high ventilation
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Firefighter Safety
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Firefighter Safety
FLASHOVER
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Firefighter Safety
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Firefighter Safety
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Firefighter Safety
1 times the height of the building
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Firefighter Safety
Permanent Records
Job related accidents & illnesses
Confidential health records
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Firefighter Safety
Member Exposures
Toxic products (Carcinogens)
Infectious diseases (HIV)

Vehicles & Equipment
Maintenance
Repairs
Service
Documented
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Firefighter Safety
Apparatus
Drivers / Operators

Trained & Certified (NFPA 1002)
Valid DL
Driver is responsible for the safe and prudent
operation of the vehicle in all conditions.
Any Officer directly supervising the driver is
responsible for the actions of the driver.
30
Firefighter Safety
Apparatus Inspections
Weekly - minimum
Within 24 hrs after use or repair
Annual testing & certification
Fire Pumps
Aerials
Portable equipment, ladders, hose

31
Firefighter Safety
Personal Protective Equipment
Coat / Bunker Pants
Helmet / Gloves / Boots / Hood
SCBA
PASS Device
Hearing & Eye Protection
Must meet NFPA standards at time of
manufacture
Must be maintained according to
manufacturers recommendations
32
COMMAND
Firefighter Safety
Emergency Operations
Incident Management System (IMS)
Written guidelines
Identify roles / responsibilities of personnel
Safety of Operations
IMS Training
Assign safety responsibilities to supervisory personnel
The I C is ULTI MATELY RESPONSI BLE
SAFETY
OPERATIONS
PIO
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Firefighter Safety
Incident Safety Requirements
Need for sufficient personnel /
limited operations
Inexperienced FFs must be assigned
w/ experienced ones
Must wear retro-reflective garment
and protective headwear if in
potential contact with traffic
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Firefighter Safety
Procedures for Interior Structural Firefighting
Firefighters shall operate in teams of two or more and
remain in communication with each other through
visual, audible, physical, safety guide rope, electronic or
other means to coordinate their activities, and
In close enough proximity to each other to be able to
provide assistance in case of an emergency.
Two-in
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Firefighter Safety
Procedures for Interior Structural Firefighting
Except in the case of a structural fire which is in the
initial or beginning stage and which can be controlled
or extinguished by portable fire extinguishers, a back-
up team of at least two members shall be available at
the scene for rescue if the need arises.
Two-out
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+ one
Firefighter Safety
Procedures for Interior Structural Firefighting
In ALL structural fires in which firefighters
use SCBA, at least one additional member shall
be assigned to remain outside the structural
fire and monitor the operations. (Incident
Commander)
It is not the intent of this rule to prevent any
number of persons from responding to a fire call,
setting up equipment and initiating exterior fire
suppression at the fire scene.
Also, it is not the intent of this rule to prohibit an
individual firefighter from taking an action to
preserve the life or safety of another person.
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Firefighter Safety
Procedures for Interior Structural Firefighting
Two-out
Two-in
COMM 30
+ one
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Firefighter Safety
At emergency operations, the IC shall
evaluate the risk to FFs and, if necessary,
request at least BLS personnel and pt.
transportation be available.
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Facility Safety
Must meet the requirements of COMM 32
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Firefighter Safety
Scene Re-Hab
Reduces Stress
Provides Rest
reduces heat stress
reduces fatigue
provides warming
Fluid replacement
Food
Medical Monitoring
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Firefighter Safety
Scene Re-Hab
Recommendations
After 2 SCBA bottles
After 45 minutes of strenuous work
When members are obviously fatigued, faint, injured
or emotionally drained
Re-Hab Locations
Nearby Scene
outside hazard area - no exhaust fumes
EMS units / Red Cross / Salvation Army
tent, garage, bus, squad

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Firefighter Safety
On Scene
Electrical
Traffic
Building Construction
Haz-Mat
Tools & Equipment
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Special Hazards
Electrical systems & equipment
sources
power lines, fuses, breaker panels, building wiring,
appliances
precautions
assume they are energized
notify WEPCO
do not use straight or solid hose streams
use caution when raising ladders
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Firefighter Safety
Medical
Physical Exams
Prior to employment
Scheduled
Fitness Program
Job task evaluations
Combat Challenge
SCBA Fitness Evaluation
annual

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Firefighter Safety
Member Assistance Program (MAP)
Counseling for . . .
Alcohol / substance abuse
Stress / personal problems
Health promotion activities
Smoking cessation
Healthy living
Enhancing overall wellness