Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Timothy J. Gaffney, Jr. on May 2, 2011 at 7:09am

Start off with the basics. Donning and doffing of PPE and SCBA; Mask Confidence and breath downs; Knowing the compartments and equipment on the apparatus; Hose advancements either dry or wet, different sizes, different lengths, different ways to pack it (triple, flat, minuteman, pre-connect loads); Ladders, knowing the sizes and ways to carry and foot a ladder and climb them; water supply operations with hydrants and drafting, etc. Nothing too complicated and KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) :)

Permalink Reply by Al Mozingo on May 2, 2011 at 10:56am

Safety is always "Number One."

Al Mozingo


FIRE DEPARTMENT SAFETY OFFICER
NFPA 1521 Standard – 1997 – Condensed Summary

THE INCIDENT SAFETY OFFICER
The Incident Safety Officer Shall – Indicates a Mandatory Requirement

1.Monitor conditions, activities, and operations: With a perceived risk, then take action
2.Ensure the establishment of Rehab
3.Monitor and report status of conditions, hazards, and risks to the I.C.
4.Ensure the Personnel Accountability System is being utilized
5.Receive a Incident Action Plan from the I.C.: Then provide a Risk Assessment of incident scene operations
6.Ensure the establishment of safety zones, collapse zones, hot zones, and other hazard areas: Communicate to all members present
7.Evaluate traffic hazards and apparatus placement: Take appropriate actions to mitigate hazards
8.Monitor radio transmissions: Stay alert for missed, unclear, or incomplete communications
9.Communicate to I.C. the need for assistants: Due to need, size, complexity, or duration
10.Survey and evaluate the hazards associated with a landing zone and interface with helicopters

FIRE SUPPRESSION

1.Meet the provisions of Incident Scene Safety
2.Ensure that a Rapid Intervention Crew is available and ready
3.Building fire: Advise the I.C. of hazards, collapse potential, and fire extension
4.Evaluate smoke and fire conditions and advise the I.S. on potential for flashover, backdraft, blow-up, or other fire event that could pose a threat to operating teams
5.Monitor accessibility of entry and egress of structures conducting interior operations

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE OPERATIONS

1.Meet the provisions of Incident Scene Safety
2.Ensure compliance with the Fire Departments Infection Control Plan and NFPA 1500
3.Ensure Critical Incident Stress Management is established as needed, especially for Mass Causality Incidents (MCI) events

Note: See NFPA 1521 for a complete listing of duties



INCIDENT SAFETY OFFICER CHECKLIST

The Incident Safety Officer (ISO) must monitor and assess the incident for
existing or potential hazards and develop measures for ensuring personnel safety.

O ISO’s Role O HAZ MAT OPS O SPECIAL OPERATIONS
O Obtain a Briefing (IAP) O Safety Officer Assigned O Water Rescue
O Walk Around (360) O Ambulance/Paramedics O Trench Rescue
O Develop a Safety Plan O Site Safety Plan DevelopedO High-Angle Rescue
O Make Recommendations (OSHA Requirements) O Aircraft Crash/Fire/Rescue
O Monitor Radio O Zones Established O Wildland Fires
O STRUCTURE FIRE O POSTINCIDENT ANALYSES O Natural Gas Leak
O Rescue & Life Safety O Forms to Personnel O Elevator Emergencies
O Building Construction O Set Date & Time O Confined Space Entry
O SCBA’s & PPE O Facilitate Meeting O Building Collapse
O Smoke & Fire Conditions O Lessons Learned O High Rise Building Fires
O Burn Time (20 minutes) O Changes of Procedures O Technical Experts
O Fire Invol / Flame Spread O Training Deficiencies
O Evacuation & Refuge Area
O Utilities Secured O EMS RESPONSE O MISCELLANEOUS
O Offensive / Defense O Infection Control O ICS Established
O Size of Hoselines O Scene Security O Command Post
O Fire Protection Systems O Personal Protective Equip. O Staging Area
O Extension / Ventilation O Hazard Assessment O Additional Resources
O Scene Security O Air Ambulance O Special Equipment
O Rapid Intervention (RIC) O Ambulances O Rehab Established
O Medical O More Personnel O Ped / Infants
O Building Collapse O Risk Evaluation O Establish Priorities
O Access & Egress O Violent Acts O Scene Security
O Fatigue O Multi-Casualty O Accountability System
O Police Involvement O Communicable Diseases O Divisions Needed
O Prolong Incidents O CISM O Primary & Secondary Search


The primary propose is safety of all responders. The ISO must have the ability, skill, and the knowledge to accomplish his/her role. The ability to recognize and forecast risks involving first responders utilizing his/her experience and intuition. The skill to communicate his/her concerns of unsafe operations to firefighters, officers and/or the Incident Commander diplomatically; thereby causing an incident or an activity of the incident to be altered, suspended, or terminated. The knowledge and experience in the type of incident he or she is assigned. This may include structure fires, emergency medical operations, and/or any one of a variety of special operations.

INCIDENT SAFETY PLAN
Type of Incident __________________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________________
Site Assessment:
Terrain and Accessibility ___________________________________________________
Wind Direction and Speed __________________________________________________
Weather Factors at the Incident ______________________________________________
Incident Management System:
Location of Command Post _________________________________________________
Initial Response __________________________________________________________
Secondary Response ______________________________________________________
Deployment of Resources __________________________________________________
Div. __________ Group __________ Group ___________
Div. __________ Group __________ Group ___________
Div. __________ Group __________ Group ___________
Location of Staging Area ___________________________________________________
Location of Rehab Area ____________________________________________________
Additional Assistant(s) Incident Safety Officer: Due to Need, Size, Complexity, or Duration - Assignments ____________________________________________________
Hazardous Conditions:
Identify any Hazardous Conditions ___________________________________________
Risk Assessment _________________________________________________________
(Severe, Moderate, Low)
Probability of Increase of Risk (Forecasting) ___________________________________
(High, Medium, Low)
Initial Response:
Receive a Incident Action Plan from the Incident Commander
Strategy ________________________________________________________________
(Rescue Mode, Offensive, Defensive, No Action)
Recommendations on Strategy _______________________________________________
Tactics _________________________________________________________________
Risk Assessment of Tactics _________________________________________________
Recommendations on Tactics _______________________________________________
Safety Considerations:
Personnel Accountability System Implemented _________________________________
Control Zones Established __________________________________________________
Rapid Intervention Crews Established _________________________________________
Rehab Established ________________________________________________________
EMS - Medical at Scene and Location_________________________________________
Evaluate Traffic Hazards and Apparatus Placement ______________________________
Establish Zones: Safety Zones, Collapse Zones, Hot Zones, or Other Hazard Areas _____
Recommendations:

Al Mozingo, Office: 951-926-2221
Cell: 619-447-2828 – www.firemanager.com