Safety Officer

[King Hugh]

Hey everybody;

I got surprised last night at our annual meeting when I was asked to run for a Safety Officer position. There are 2 of us, in our relatively small department. I said I'd run half expecting to get beat....but didn't.

So...now I've got a job to do and only have a general idea what it entails. I know that I need to be present on scenes and observe for any safety hazards or unsafe practices and advise command or take steps to mitigate the risk as the situation dictates. But that's really it.

I know there must be other things that fall under the purview of the SO. I guess our department had them before....but I've been in 2 years and have no idea who they were....so I'm guessing they weren't doing too much.

I refuse to do anything half assed, and since I was tapped and asked to run for this, and then elected over some others by our members I'm determined to develop a decent SO program.

So....what types of things do I need to be thinking about? What types of things do your SO's do...we're a small (1 Engine, 1 Heavy Rescue, 1 Tanker) 100% volunteer department.

Are there any training resources I can look at on line?

So...any tips for the new guy?

Thanks!

[Eng34FF]

There are a lot of things involved in being a safety officer, and I'd venture to guess that most are not on the actual fireground, they are in preparation for the call.

My first suggestion is to sit down with the Chief and find out what he expects. Every department will be a little different. Among the things I can think of off the top of my head are:

PPE inspections, make sure that all PPE is in good order and everybody has theirs
SCBA inspections, annual maintenance and testing as required.
Cascade testing if necessary.
Conducting and tracking SCBA fit testing
Planning and overseeing training exercises, especially live burns.
Hose and ladder testing
Investigating any accidents that may happen.

Again, that is just off the top of my head, your department may have different expectations.

[Spencer534]

NFA courses Incident Safety Officer for operational issues and Health and Safety Officer for administrative issues. Also, get clear expectations from your chief on what he expects.

[tree68]

Yep - there's a substantial difference between a health and safety officer and an incident safety officer. Eng34FF covered health and safety in a nutshell.

Incident safety officer involves a wide range of topics - building construction, proper practices, even reading smoke, to name a few. While everyone else is focused on putting the fire out, it's the safety officer's job to make sure that everybody goes home. As such, you've got to make sure that you've got the authority to make spot decisions and stop unsafe practices, and the knowledge necessary to spot the problems in the first place.

There is such a thing as the Fire Department Safety Officers Association.

Here's a FEMA Incident Safety Officer student manual. I've taken this course in a classroom environment. It's informative.

[ChiefKN]

What are the qualifications to run for that office in your department?

There are many good safety officer courses.

I find it odd that this is an elected office.......

[CaptOldTimer]

What are the qualifications to run for that office in your department?

There are many good safety officer courses.

I find it odd that this is an elected office.......

He has been a member for 2 years!

[Bones42]

No offense, but the fact that you are surprised to be asked to hold the position scares the crap out of me.

I don't think your department takes this position seriously enough.

Below is my Department SOG for the position...

Purpose:

To specify the duties and responsibilities for a Fire Department Safety Officer.

Scope:

This guideline contains minimum requirements for the assignment, duties, and responsibilities of a Safety Officer for the fire department.

Qualifications:

• Shall have at least two years in the department as a Firefighter.
• Shall have a New Jersey Fire Fighter Level 1 Certificate issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Fire Safety.
• Shall have an IMS Level 1 Certificate issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Fire Safety.
• Shall have an Incident Safety Officer Certification.
• Shall have FAST Awareness Certification and attend three FAST drills annually.
• Shall have and maintain knowledge of current federal, state, and local laws regulating occupational safety and health applicable to the fire service work environment.
• Shall have and maintain knowledge of current potential safety and health hazards involved in fire fighting and other related activities.


Assignment:

• The Fire Chief shall have the ultimate responsibility for the safety and well being of all fire department personnel.
• The Fire Chief and the Board of Fire Officers shall make the assignment of the two Fire Department Safety Officers.
o One member shall be selected from each Fire Company and assigned in this role.
• The Safety Officer shall assist the fire chief in this responsibility.
• The Safety Officer shall report directly to the fire chief as part of the command staff.
• In the absence of the appointed Safety Officer(s) or when the scope of operations dictates the need for Assistant Safety Officers, a member with the required qualifications shall be substituted to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position that requires immediate attention.
o These include duties and responsibilities at the scene of emergency incidents as well as training activities.

Authority:

• The Safety Officer shall have the responsibility to identify and cause correction of health and safety hazards.
• The Safety Officer shall have the authority to cause immediate correction of situations that create an imminent hazard to personnel.
o At an emergency incident, when activities are judged by the Safety Officer to be unsafe and to involve an imminent hazard, the Safety Officer shall have the authority to alter, suspend, or terminate those activities.
• The Safety Officer shall immediately inform the incident commander of any actions taken to correct imminent hazards at an emergency scene.
• When non-imminent hazards are identified, the Safety Officer shall develop actions to correct the situation within the administrative process of the fire department.
• The Safety Officer shall have the authority to bring notice of such hazards to the Fire Chief and the Board of Fire Officers.


Duties and Responsibilities:

• The Safety Officer shall respond to all emergency incidents.
• The functions of the Safety Officer at high-risk incidents shall be integrated with the command structure, and the Safety Officer shall report to the incident commander.
• The Safety Officer shall routinely observe operations at the scene of emergency incidents to ensure that safety regulations are being followed.
• When necessary, the Safety Officer shall recommend corrective actions to the Fire Chief.
• At emergency incidents, the Safety Officer shall monitor the scene, report on the status of conditions, hazards and risks and mitigate any identified safety hazards.
• When appropriate, the Safety Officer shall recommend the establishment of zones for safety, collapse, helicopter landing or Haz Mat situations and ensure that their location is communicated to all personnel.
• It is the responsibility of the Safety Officer to ensure that the department Accountability system is being properly utilized at drills and emergency incidents.
• When conditions warrant, the Safety Officer shall coordinate with the incident commander to ensure that a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) is on scene and an appropriate Rehab Station has been established.
• In the event of exposure, injury or illness to fire personnel, it is the responsibility of the Safety Officer to communicate this to the Incident Commander and ensure proper medical care is provided.
• The Safety Officer shall be involved in the process of post incident critiques in order to review the safety factors involved in emergency incidents.
• In addition, the Safety Officer shall provide safety supervision at all training activities.
• The Safety Officer shall ensure that all Fire Department Personnel comply with the provisions of the Personal Protective Equipment and Infection Control Guidelines at all emergency incidents and training activities.

[King Hugh]

Thanks for your thoughts everybody. I'll check out the links and SOPs * Those of you who said that the department doesn't take the position seriously enough are probobly right but my question should indicate that said era is over. * For clarity Ive only been with this department for 2 years. I've been a firefighter / emt since 1989. My "day job" is as a state fire inspector so I do bring a little something to the table. * Keep the suggestions coming. Probably building a program from ground up so i need all the help I can get.

[ChiefKN]

Thanks for your thoughts everybody. I'll check out the links and SOPs * Those of you who said that the department doesn't take the position seriously enough are probobly right but my question should indicate that said era is over. * For clarity Ive only been with this department for 2 years. I've been a firefighter / emt since 1989. My "day job" is as a state fire inspector so I do bring a little something to the table. * Keep the suggestions coming. Probably building a program from ground up so i need all the help I can get.

Good luck! Sounds like they have the right guy.

[DeputyMarshal]

I find it odd that this is an elected office.......

And odder still that they would elect someone who doesn't even know what the job entails.

Something tells me that SO isn't the only position in that department with issues.

[King Hugh]

And odder still that they would elect someone who doesn't even know what the job entails.

Something tells me that SO isn't the only position in that department with issues.

didnt say that chief, said I had a general understanding, just looking for advice to improve our program. Bashing my department isn't helpful.

[DeputyMarshal]

didnt say that chief, said I had a general understanding, just looking for advice to improve our program. Bashing my department isn't helpful.

"So...now I've got a job to do and only have a general idea what it entails."

Your words; not mine.

[King Hugh]

"So...now I've got a job to do and only have a general idea what it entails."

Your words; not mine.

Ok semantics. Either way...your comment is helpful how? Please, I dont want to be rude, but if you aren't interested in helping to make the situation better then please don't waste any more of your time on this thread.

[DeputyMarshal]

Ok semantics. Either way...your comment is helpful how? Please, I dont want to be rude, but if you aren't interested in helping to make the situation better then please don't waste any more of your time on this thread.

Not semantics at all. Let me be more clear. There are professional qualifications for safety officers. Anyone who intends to serve in that capacity should meet those qualifications. It's a pretty safe bet that someone who only has a "general idea what it entails" not only doesn't meet those qualifications but probably isn't even close.

That being said, it's not your fault. Ignorance is not criminal and it can be cured. The fault lies with a department that (a) fills any critical position by election, and (b) not only recruits an unqualified candidate but actually chooses them. (There's always the possibility that the other guy was even less qualified. Who knows, right?)

A Safety Officer has the authority to countermand any Incident Commander in matters of incident safety even if that IC is the department Chief. It stands to reason that SO needs to be at least as well qualified as that Chief. That leaves two possibilities in your scenario: Either you aren't qualified to be a SO in which case you shouldn't be a SO, or, you're as qualified as the Chief in which case he shouldn't be a Chief either if he only has a "general idea of what it entails"...

You brought this situation to the forum; don't be upset that it reveals serious problems with your department that go beyond suggesting ways for you to eventually become qualified to be a SO.

P.S. See NFPA 1521 for SO qualifications which include, but are not limited to, certification as FF II, FSI I, and FO I as a minimum. Get that far and you'll have much more than a "general idea of what it entails."

[CaptOldTimer]

This may not be your fire department but using it as a guide may help you.


http://www.fmtn.org/city_government/...etyOfficer.pdf


Also these are worth looking at as well;

http://www.emergencystuff.com/087939191x.html

http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/ccfs/bcc...manual_iso.pdf

[King Hugh]

ssue is that I didn't ask you to point out what was wrong with my department. Were well aware of what needs improvement. all I can work on right now is what is on my plate. I'll research the standard you referenced, thanks for that. I'm thinking that not one single department in my county has a safety officer program that meets those standards. * Out of curiosity are you volunteer or paid and what size is your department? It sounds like you and I are coming at this from 2 different worlds with different available resources. * And before you start ripping my department again remember I was chosen to do this job maybe because I'm to at least willing try to make it better, my little piece anyhow.

[DeputyMarshal]

* Out of curiosity are you volunteer or paid and what size is your department? It sounds like you and I are coming at this from 2 different worlds with different available resources. *

What difference does it make? The job is the same in either. The fireground makes no distinctions between paygrades.

And before you start ripping my department again...

Again? I haven't "ripped" it at all. I have pointed out that it has problems and, to some extent, you seem to agree. (Don't feel too badly, they appear to be fairly common problems.)

You've gotten several resources in this thread. Run with them and let us know how they work out.

[Bones42]

Just for information...I am from volunteer Department, running about 300 calls per year with ~30 active members.

[johnsb]

What difference does it make? The job is the same in either. The fireground makes no distinctions between paygrades.



Again? I haven't "ripped" it at all. I have pointed out that it has problems and, to some extent, you seem to agree. (Don't feel too badly, they appear to be fairly common problems.)

You've gotten several resources in this thread. Run with them and let us know how they work out.

Seems to me if his dept. has problems, they are in the process of trying to cure them. And show me a dept. that doesn't have some problems. Seems to me, maybe he's also the best candidate for the job. Lots of people got put into jobs they weren't trained for but learned on the job and did well. I'd say this guy is on the right track. 20-30 years ago there was no such thing as a safety officer. I'd say congradulations were in order, rather than a bashing....

[King Hugh]

What difference does it make? The job is the same in either. The fireground makes no distinctions between paygrades.



Again? I haven't "ripped" it at all. I have pointed out that it has problems and, to some extent, you seem to agree. (Don't feel too badly, they appear to be fairly common problems.)

You've gotten several resources in this thread. Run with them and let us know how they work out.

Deputy....you answered without answering....and you know what your right, and in a perfect world I'd agree with you. But the fact is in the real world a small rural volunteer department doesn't have the time or the resources to have the best of anything. Not equipment or training. What we do have though is plenty of heart, guts and pride...we do what we can with what we have. We do pretty damn good too if I do say so...when the chips are down. Our paperwork may not be completely up to snuff.....YET....but when folks are in trouble they know who to call.

We're getting there....lot of "old school" guys...takes a while to change things.

I do appreciate your input brother, even though we don't see eye to eye.