Risk Management

Risk Management

Class #4

Fire Service OccupationalSafety, Health, and Medical Issues

Old or traditional fire service paradigm; because of inherent dangers the assumption is that FFs would risk their lives in extraordinary efforts to save others.

Does this still ring true in today's fire service?

Statement on pg 35


Early development of standards– NFPA 1500 was first issued in 1987 and is

considered the “safety bible”– The very first NFPA standard to address safety

issues was 1501 (Safety Officer) in the 1970s– NFPA 1500 evolved from 1501and was first

issued in 1987 with great anxiety of FDs (this will put us out of business, how can we ever comply)


Because safety is such a broad topic with many components other standards came about to support safety in the fire service– 1501 became 1521 safety officer– 1561 IMS– 1582 medical requirements– 1581 infection control– 1583 fitness– And others less related like PPE standards


Discussion of 1500 history and impact– Pages 36 & 37

Discussion of 1521 safety officer– Pages 37 & 38


Health Safety Officer – Chairs safety and health programs– Record keeping complete and confidential– Coordinates accident investigation– Implements RM Program– Coordinates with FD MD– Does research and facility inspection– May assist in ICS– May assist in Medical issues


Incident Safety Officer– ICS command staff– Develops safety plan for the IAP– Has wide authority in safety issues– Coordinates other safety personnel– Ensures rehab– Assists in any safety related investigations– Assigns safety specialists as needed


NFPA 1561 IMS first issued in 1990– Since 1986 IMS was mandated by EPA and

OSHA for haz-mat incidents

1561 evolved to include a all hazard or all incident concept in the 2000 edition


Critical factors in IMS – See list on page 40

The training in and use of the IMS is paramount to safety and survivability of FFs

It is a tool box for safe organized responses


NFPA 1581 Infection Control– Came out in 1992 as a result of the changing

response patters in the FD more EMS runs– Outline a protective program– Wearing proper PPE NFPA 1999– Immunization – Exposure reporting– Cleaning and disinfecting– Training


NFPA 1582 medical requirement and information for use by the FD MD– First edition in 1992

NFPA 1583 Fitness Programs– Development was controversial – Used IAFF and IAFC wellness initiative and the

group know as the 10 cities page 44


IMS all risk concept– Accountability, communications, and SOPS are

its major components

On duty deaths and injury and NIOSH– Covered in class #3

Risk Management Planning

Effective risk management can save your life!

Many view risk management as a administrative function IT IS NOT

RM is a constant part of life


NFPA 1500 addresses RM– Stress practicality of applying RM techniques– Defines risk and the RM process– Applies RM to FD function– Outline different types of RM– Addresses RM to emergency response

RM in reality page 84 & 85i


Steps in developing a RM Plan

Step one– Review program concept with staff– Gather and review safety data accident & injury– Random interview of line and staff– Formulate written report


Step two– Understand the risk management process

Step three– Understand pre-emergency RM– Policy and procedure– Training and education– Response


Step three continued– PPE– IMS– Health and safety officer

– Understand the RM Plan– Identification– Frequency and severity


Step three continued– Priority– Control measures – Monitoring

Step four– Provide written conclusions & recommendations– Sample plan page 86 to 90

Role of Company Officer and Safety Officer

The Company Officer– Key to safety– Must lead by example– Unsafe officers = unsafe FFs– Uncaring officers = uncaring FFs– Huge responsibility for people


The Company Officer– NFPA 1021 Officer Qualifications has Health and

Safety requirements including understanding Risk Management concepts

– Must display good leadership and set a positive example in following and ensuring compliance with SOPs


The Company Officer – Training and education is critical

– May have additional safety related duties– ISO or HSO– Review Health and Safety Officer fig 6-1 pg 93– Review Incident Safety Officer pg 94


Role of the Safety Officer– Started out as someone to watch for building

collapse potential– First NFPA standard for SO in 1977 not well

accepted till NFPA 1500 in 19987– NFPA 1521 is specific SO standard– 4.7 NFPA 1500 pg 12


Safety Officer responsibilities– See pg 95

FDSOA started in 1989– Mission to promote FF safety– 2500 members – Is the accredited agency for national board on fire

service professional qualifications

Injury Investigation

Goal of investigations– To identify deficiencies in policy, procedure, or

other actions that contributed to the incident– To make corrective action recommendations

Investigations are difficult but important

Even close calls should be investigated


Objective of a investigation is to determine the direct and indirect factors that resulted in a line of duty death or serious injury. The investigation must satisfy the requirements of the PSOB program.– See page 98 for requirements


The investigation team– Team leader; – should have the authority to investigate properly– Should be a good denigrator– Should be respected for expertise, impartiality,

and conscientious work

No individual should have the authority to interfere with the team leaders investigation


– Investigation coordinator– Assists the team leader especially in complex

investigations

– Safety Specialist– A trained safety officer familiar with all applicable

standards, laws and regulations


– Team Members– Should be from the FD and have good technical

knowledge and experience in FD operations that include training, ICS, accountability, etc.

– Technical Specialists– People that have specific expertise

The Investigation

A through investigation requires time and effort. It must discover, identify, research and fully document the incident completely and should focus on factual information.

A investigation may be emotionally charged A investigation requires a high degree of

cooperation.

The Investigation Process

Secure the scene Seize the evidence Document physical evidence Examine physical evidence Identify witnesses Conduct interviews Develop a time line

The Investigation Process

Obtain all records Research documents Use outside assistance as needed Get legal advice Review check lists pg 101, 103 to 107

Documents

Risk Management