On its third anniversary Tuesday, a Web site dedicated to promoting safety in the fire and rescue service has experienced a makeover.
The National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System Web site has taken on a whole new look.
"We've listened to the input from the users," said John Tippett, project manager. "I think people will be pleased with what they see."
Instead of simply being a collection site for near misses that could have resulted in injuries or deaths, the site is now more interactive.
"It will be easier for people to get to the data. It's more responsive."
Tippett said it will be easier for visitors to find the most recent reports. "We've heard that it's been difficult to find them."
While its main focus has been firefighter near-misses, the site has expanded over the past years to include all incidents including EMS and hazmat calls.
There have been 1,750 reports submitted from personnel across the country.
Tippett, also a battalion chief with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services, said he remains committed to keeping the department information and submitter confidential. "That's one thing that will not change on the site. We won't identify the department. It's essential that people step forward and share their experiences so others can learn."
Tippett was meeting Tuesday with FDNY officers who recently launched a campaign urging firefighters to participate and report near misses on the site.
"It's significant to have a major city like New York endorse the program. We all need to work together."
The site has had about 100,000 visitors since its launch three years ago today. Mondays and Fridays are typically the busiest, Tuesdays, the slowest.
"People check it on Monday to see if anything new has been posted over the weekend. Many of our reviewers do their work on the weekends."
The site is funded by a Fire Act grant received by their sponsoring organization, the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
Amy Hultman, project manager, said the design is more dynamic and streamlined. "I really think it's more user friendly. We've listened to what users have said."
Tippett said he also is working on podcasts with Firehouse.com to promote the program. The first of the monthly podcasts should begin next month.
Related Links
- Webcast: Using Crew Resource Management To Reduce Firefighter Near Misses
- Webcast: Virtual Kitchen Table Talk: Lessons Learned from the National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System
- Podcast: Through the Smoke: Near Misses...Do We Care?
- Near-Miss Reporting System Reaches 700 Reports
- First Annual Near-Miss Report Unveiled
- National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System
