Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives How Can We Make it Better? Make Everyday a Training Day…So that Everyone Goes Home Additions Made By: Matthew Thorpe

Firefighter Life Safety Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives Initiatives

How Can We Make it How Can We Make it Better?Better?

Make Everyday a Training Day…So that Everyone Goes HomeMake Everyday a Training Day…So that Everyone Goes HomeAdditions Made By: Matthew ThorpeAdditions Made By: Matthew Thorpe

c. 2006 NFFFc. 2006 NFFF

In April of 2004, fire service leaders from across the United States gathered in

Tampa, Florida.

At this summit meeting these leaders began to design a new fire service culture.

This new culture is built on the

16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives

so that

Everyone Goes Home.

In April of 2004, fire service leaders from across the United States gathered in

Tampa, Florida.

At this summit meeting these leaders began to design a new fire service culture.

This new culture is built on the

16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives

so that

Everyone Goes Home.

Life Safety Initiatives Program Goal Life Safety Initiatives Program Goal

We accept 100 deaths every year as normalWe accept 100 deaths every year as normal

Since 1984, 3175 firefighters have died in the Line of Duty—many thousands more have been injured.

Since 1984, 3175 firefighters have died in the Line of Duty—many thousands more have been injured.

20042004

20092009Five Years

25% ReductionFive Years

25% Reduction

Ten Years50% Reduction

Ten Years50% Reduction

20142014

The Initiatives Address Six Focus Areas The Initiatives Address Six Focus Areas

• Training• Training

• Prevention• Prevention• Structural Firefighting• Structural Firefighting

• Wildland Operation• Wildland Operation

• Health, Wellness & Fitness• Health, Wellness & Fitness

• Vehicles• Vehicles

The initiatives Address Six Root Causes of LODDsThe initiatives Address Six Root Causes of LODDs

• Ineffective Leadership• Ineffective Leadership

• Extraordinary & unpredictable circumstances• Extraordinary & unpredictable circumstances

• Lack of Personal Responsibility (inappropriate behavior)

• Lack of Personal Responsibility (inappropriate behavior)

• Ineffective Decision Making• Ineffective Decision Making

• Ineffective Policies & Procedures• Ineffective Policies & Procedures

• Lack of Preparedness• Lack of Preparedness

Initiative # 1Initiative # 1

Define and advocate the need for a cultural change within the fire service relating to safety;

incorporating leadership, management, supervision,

accountability and personal responsibility.

Define and advocate the need for a cultural change within the fire service relating to safety;

incorporating leadership, management, supervision,

accountability and personal responsibility.

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.

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.

What Initiative #1 MeansWhat Initiative #1 Means

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

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


Enhance the personal and organizational accountability for health and safety throughout the fire service.

Enhance the personal and organizational accountability for health and safety throughout the fire service.

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.

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 the 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

Follow SOPs at all times

Train / Learn / Teach everyday

Utilize the 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


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

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

Learn the concept of “Risk Management”; Ensure everyone understands the difference between an acceptable risk and an unacceptable risk.

Develop and implement a system to pre-identify unacceptable risks.

Learn the concept of “Risk Management”; Ensure everyone understands the difference between an 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

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


All firefighters must be empowered to stop unsafe practices.

All firefighters must be empowered to stop unsafe practices.

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.

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 the integrity of those who speak out for safe fire ground operations

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 the integrity of those who speak out for safe fire ground operations


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.

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.

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.

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

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


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.

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.

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.

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

Follow all health and wellness SOPs

Be a Good Example

Understand the impact your death would have on your family, co-workers and community

Adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle, including making healthful food choices and regular exercise

Don’t smoke / Don’t do drugs

Follow all health and wellness SOPs

Be a Good Example

Understand the impact your death would have on your family, co-workers and community


Create a national research agenda

and data collection system that

relates to the initiatives.

Create a national research agenda

and data collection system that

relates to the initiatives.

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.

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

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

Utilize available

technology wherever

it can help produce

higher levels of

health and safety

Utilize available

technology wherever

it can help produce

higher levels of

health and safety


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.

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 that can be integrated into the command system

Become the technology geek of your department

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 that can be integrated into the command system

Become the technology geek of your department

Thoroughly investigate all firefighter fatalities, injuries, and near misses.

Thoroughly investigate all firefighter fatalities, injuries, and near misses.


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.

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 the “Fatal Chain of Errors”

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 the “Fatal Chain of Errors”


Grant programs should support the implementation of safe practices and / or mandate safe practices as an eligibility requirement.

Grant programs should support the implementation of safe practices and / or mandate safe practices as an eligibility requirement.

There is grant money available for you to begin implementing the initiatives. Grants should however, be tied to increasing safety measures. No safe practices / no grant.

There is grant money available for you to begin implementing the initiatives. Grants should however, be tied to increasing safety measures. No safe practices / no grant.


If you ask for a grant to improve health and wellness for example, recommendations should be made and implemented as a condition of future grants.

Take time to learn how to write grants professionally— beginning with the identification of granting sources.

If you ask for a grant to improve health and wellness for example, recommendations should be made and implemented as a condition of future grants.

Take time to learn how to write grants professionally— beginning with the identification of granting sources.

National standards for emergency response policies and procedures should be developed and championed.

National standards for emergency response policies and procedures should be developed and championed.


National Standards for emergency response policies and procedures should be developed. At the local level, departments may have to increase response times to “arrive alive.”

National Standards for emergency response policies and procedures should be developed. At the local level, departments may have to increase response times to “arrive alive.”


Help to adopt safe driving rules and enforce them.

Secure loose objects in cabs and on vehicles.

Respond to emergencies using emergency response SOPs; no red lights and sirens to routine calls.

Make sure all vehicles meet current safety standards.

MOST IMPORTANT: MANDATE SEAT BELT USE!

Help to adopt safe driving rules and enforce them.

Secure loose objects in cabs and on vehicles.

Respond to emergencies using emergency response SOPs; no red lights and sirens to routine calls.

Make sure all vehicles meet current safety standards.

MOST IMPORTANT: MANDATE SEAT BELT USE!

Ky. Firefighter Killed, Second Wounded in Shooting at Scene of Domestic 'Worst Nightmare':

Domestic Dispute Call Turns to Tragedy

Ky. Firefighter Killed, Second Wounded in Shooting at Scene of Domestic 'Worst Nightmare':

Domestic Dispute Call Turns to Tragedy


Memphis: Firefighting Presents More Dangers Than Just Fire

Memphis: Firefighting Presents More Dangers Than Just Fire

Six Firefighters Shot, Injured in Indiana ViolenceAll Remain Hospitalized, One Seriously Six Firefighters Shot, Injured in Indiana ViolenceAll Remain Hospitalized, One Seriously

National protocols for response to violent incidents (including terrorism) should be developed and championed.

National protocols for response to violent incidents (including terrorism) should be developed and championed.

Fire and EMS workers deserve to have policies which will reduce their exposure to all threats of violence.

Fire and EMS workers deserve to have policies which will reduce their exposure to all threats of violence.


Promote policies to “stage” violent incident responses, removing the pressure to react immediately. SOPs should include “GO” and “No-GO” criteria.

Learn all you can about responding to terrorist incidents, regardless of your department’s size or proximity to predicted targets.

Promote policies to “stage” violent incident responses, removing the pressure to react immediately. SOPs should include “GO” and “No-GO” criteria.

Learn all you can about responding to terrorist incidents, regardless of your department’s size or proximity to predicted targets.


Firefighters and their families must have access to counseling and psychological support

Firefighters and their families must have access to counseling and psychological support

Firefighting is a high-risk occupation which, from time to time, can put the employee and his or her family under extreme stress. They deserve access to mental health care.

Firefighting is a high-risk occupation which, from time to time, can put the employee and his or her family under extreme stress. They deserve access to mental health care.


If you are feeling stress (depression / anxiety or physical symptoms) seek help from physicians, EAP counselors, and religious or other sources.

Don’t “tough it out”; this could lead to bad results for you and your family.

Stress-awareness should be part of firefighter training at all levels.

Help a buddy you see struggling with stress-related problems.

If you are feeling stress (depression / anxiety or physical symptoms) seek help from physicians, EAP counselors, and religious or other sources.

Don’t “tough it out”; this could lead to bad results for you and your family.

Stress-awareness should be part of firefighter training at all levels.

Help a buddy you see struggling with stress-related problems.

Public education must

receive more resources

and be championed as a

critical fire and life safety

program

Public education must

receive more resources

and be championed as a

critical fire and life safety

program


Public Education is a responsibility of all fire service personnel. It should not be reserved for one week in October. Increased civilian awareness will decrease firefighter risks.

Public Education is a responsibility of all fire service personnel. It should not be reserved for one week in October. Increased civilian awareness will decrease firefighter risks.


Make communicating the fire prevention message to the community a priority.

Utilize USFA resources and materials—they are free and excellent.

Become an ambassador for community safety in your church, children's’ schools, volunteer groups, etc.

Become an advocate for code adoption &

enforcement .

Make communicating the fire prevention message to the community a priority.

Utilize USFA resources and materials—they are free and excellent.

Become an ambassador for community safety in your church, children's’ schools, volunteer groups, etc.

Become an advocate for code adoption &

enforcement .

Advocacy must be

strengthened for the

enforcement of codes and

the installation of home

fire sprinklers

Advocacy must be

strengthened for the

enforcement of codes and

the installation of home

fire sprinklers

Initiative # 15

The widespread use of residential sprinklers will improve outcomes for civilians and decrease firefighter injuries and LODDs.

The widespread use of residential sprinklers will improve outcomes for civilians and decrease firefighter injuries and LODDs.


Ensure all firefighters understand how sprinkler systems operate and the value they bring to reducing Line of Duty Deaths.

Actively advocate for residential sprinkler laws and widespread adoption.

If you build a home, consider the installation of a sprinkler system—lead by example.

Ensure all firefighters understand how sprinkler systems operate and the value they bring to reducing Line of Duty Deaths.

Actively advocate for residential sprinkler laws and widespread adoption.

If you build a home, consider the installation of a sprinkler system—lead by example.

Safety must be a primary

consideration in the

design of apparatus and

equipment.

Safety must be a primary

consideration in the

design of apparatus and

equipment.

Initiative # 16

Encourage your department to make “safety” the highest priority in equipment and apparatus purchases — as high as design and price.

Encourage your department to make “safety” the highest priority in equipment and apparatus purchases — as high as design and price.


Form an apparatus committee and help set your department’s policies on equipment and apparatus purchases.

Read professional journals and attend conferences where new innovations in apparatus and equipment are demonstrated.

Learn NFPA standard 1901 regarding apparatus safety standards.

Form an apparatus committee and help set your department’s policies on equipment and apparatus purchases.

Read professional journals and attend conferences where new innovations in apparatus and equipment are demonstrated.

Learn NFPA standard 1901 regarding apparatus safety standards.

Self-Evaluation Summary Self-Evaluation Summary

• Is Your Department on the path to a Line of Duty Death ?

• Do you know what the path looks like ?

• Is Your Department on the path to a Line of Duty Death ?

• Do you know what the path looks like ?

Does it Look Like this?Does it Look Like this?

• Older & Heavier• Stiff versus Flexible• High Cholesterol versus Low • Insulin versus Non Insulin• Experience Exchange versus Early Death

• Older & Heavier• Stiff versus Flexible• High Cholesterol versus Low • Insulin versus Non Insulin• Experience Exchange versus Early Death

• More Accidents • Criminal Charges• Incarceration• Civilian casualty• Firefighter casualties

• More Accidents • Criminal Charges• Incarceration• Civilian casualty• Firefighter casualties

IF YOUR DEPARTMENT IS ON THE ROAD TO A LINE OF DUTY DEATH YOU CAN BEGIN TODAY TO

CHANGE THE ROAD YOU’RE ON:

Watch the videos in the Firefighter Life Safety Resource Kit

Conduct an organizational assessment and implement changes

Encourage and reward positive changes toward safety

IF YOUR DEPARTMENT IS ON THE ROAD TO A LINE OF DUTY DEATH YOU CAN BEGIN TODAY TO

CHANGE THE ROAD YOU’RE ON:

Watch the videos in the Firefighter Life Safety Resource Kit

Conduct an organizational assessment and implement changes

Encourage and reward positive changes toward safety

Make a Commitment TODAY…

Become an ADVOCATE for the16 FIREFIGHTER LIFE SAFETY INITIATIVES

For more information on theCourage To Be Safe…So Everyone Goes Home program

www.everyonegoeshome.com

Make a Commitment TODAY…

Become an ADVOCATE for the16 FIREFIGHTER LIFE SAFETY INITIATIVES

For more information on theCourage To Be Safe…So Everyone Goes Home program

www.everyonegoeshome.com

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Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives How Can We Make it Better? Make Everyday a Training Day…So that Everyone Goes Home Additions Made By: Matthew Thorpe