The following paper will examine 3 sources discussing the importance of changing the culture of safety in the fire service through conformity. The challenging and dangerous job of fire fighters requires a substantial amount of preparation and training. The following three sources have been collected and summarized to help expand one’s knowledge on the changing culture of safety in the fire service.
“Changing the Culture of Safety in the Fire Service”
Siarnicki, Robert J., and Richard Gist. Changing the Culture of Safety in the Fire Service. Fire Engineering University. Web. 7 Apr. 2016. <http://www.fireengineering.com/content/dam/fe/online-articles/documents/FEU/FEUsiarnicki.pdf>.
The article by Siarnicki and Gist focuses on the uniqueness of the fire service culture, which requires a very specific type of safety procedures that are difficult to find in the world of fire safety. Firefighters are only able to prepare for various fire scenarios within a limited option; but it is during a real fire that the learning occurs. It is for this reason that those firefighters and captains that go through a fire incident must sit back and re-examine the events of putting out the fire. It is through tracking what was done and how it could have been done better, faster, and more safely that there can be a safety protocol implemented. It is similar to the concept of learning hands on, but then going back and creating a sort of check list of how to maneuver oneself in the future. The heroic mindset of many firefighters requires a change in culture to encourage fire safety with more stringent guidelines. Those individuals who have fought some of the greatest fires never made notes of the experience enough to provide a guideline for safety, which is important to create. Conforming one’s behaviors to coincide to a particular safety guideline is something that will improve the fires services as well as preserve the safety of firefighters.
“Creating a Tradition of Safety”
AURNHAMMER, THOMAS W., “Creating a Tradition of Safety.” New Mexico Fire Chief’s Association. Web. 7 April 2016. Retrieved from- http://nmfirechiefs.com/2014/01/creating-a-tradition-of-safety/
The New Mexico Fire Chief’s Association has a tradition of safety protocol, which is quite thorough. The following portion will examine the guidelines suggested by the safety protocol to gain better understanding of what steps to take in conforming to safe fire security. The first article in the safety protocol designates the fire chief as the primary person responsible for ensuring that those under him are well aware of how to handle themselves on the ground during a fire, after the fire, and upon returning to the station. Incident safety officers (ISO) are also recommended to be designated in each station to oversee the safety and well-being of all officers on the job. They are also allowed to inform the officers of evacuating the building when it becomes necessary. Their authority is ensure the physical safety and health of the officers and all members involved in the fire incident. A culture of safety is important to encourage in order to avoid unnecessary injury or death, which are very risky parts of the fire service job. Crew resource management (CRM) are an important aspect of the dynamic in order to help ensure human error is avoided, which is generally the most likely culprit for injury or death. Despite advanced technological assistance, there is still human error that can create problems that CRM must be weary of in advance. The driver and officer in charge must also be mindful of apparatus safety by making sure all officers are properly dressed, sitting, and buckled up before the apparatus leaves the station as to avoid traffic or other accidents. It is also critical for the driver and officer to know where they are headed and have a reliable method of directions and communication with the dispatcher if need be. The drivers of the apparatus must also be very mindful of following safe driving procedures in various conditions to ensure that the officers and group arrives safely and returns safely to the station. Proper preparation for initiating internal fire attacks is an important aspect of each station to be adequately trained and prepared for the internal fire conditions. Implementing a proper IRIC or RIC is important for avoiding or helping out with respiratory problems or other such problems as a down officer who may need to be assisted out of the building. Respiratory protection standards need to be on point to be sure that everything is working accurately when the need emerges, so that an unnecessary hazard is not presented at the wrong time. IC’s and safety officers must also know how to assess the fire grounds and understand the smoke conditions. Upon arrival to the scene a risk management assessment should be done to understand the conditions that exist in the fire and creating a plan of action on how to execute the fire fight based on previous incidents similar to the one they are facing. In 2001 the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Health and Safety Committee published “The 10 Rules of Engagement for Structural Firefighting,” must be abided by for maximum establishment of conformity for safety in fire service. Thermal imaging cameras are recommended as further risk removal for the officers during a fire fight. When overhauling occurs there should be prior assessment to create awareness of any hazards that could cause harm before beginning the overhaul procedure. It is important for officers to never hesitate to call for help, it is very important to consider this and not allow one’s ego to get in the way. Officers should be trained for both residential and commercial fires because there will be a different method of execution in each type of fire incident. One of the important things to remember when inside a large building is the distance that the officer has traveled because air supply management must be considered. Pay attention to moisture on the suit to avoid burn injuries. Fire service jobs are one that require the officers to be constantly aware of their situation when fighting a fire, any type of zoning out is likely to result in trouble for the officer who is not focused on his or her surroundings. It is extremely important that a rehab station be set up properly for the officers to return to after 20-30 minutes of exerting force under difficult situations. Being mindful of traffic at all times is also a basic but important aspect of safety to consider. Finally, make sure the plan of action to fight the fire is based on the available staff and how prepared they are for the type of fire that they will be facing. Do not take any risks in lowering standards or avoiding protocol when it comes to the safety culture of fire service.
