Racing back into a gutted, unsafe building for a rekindle; getting tunnel vision while attacking flames; forgetting to check for overhead power lines; not donning full turnout gear.

Issues like those -- shared in the National Firefighter Near-Miss Reporting System -- are sparking discussions in fire stations across the country. And, learning from those missteps is saving others, said John Tippett, project manager.

To date, 1,150 reports have been submitted. "...That's proof that firefighters are telling their stories to improve safety."

The idea was brought to the fire service by Gary Briese, former IAFC executive director. After a trial period, it was launched nationally in 2005.

A synopsis of a close encounter is e-mailed to thousands of fire and rescue personnel every Friday.

Now, it's even easier for people looking for specific incidents. A keyword search has been added to the website. "We're getting a lot of good feedback on it," said Amy Hultman, project manager.

Until three weeks ago, Hultman handled requests, and searched manually for information. "The tool we selected is very user friendly. And, it was cost-effective as well."

Looking at the first annual report released this week, Tippett said the majority of submissions come from the person involved. "It's impressive. We're getting first person accounts."

The program, sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs, is patterned after the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) which encourages pilots to share close calls.

To ensure that departments cannot be identified, FEMA regions are utilized, and reviewers sign documents pledging to keep their work confidential.

"It is not our intention to criticize or issue judgments. We're here to collect data" Tippett said, adding that some companies also have submitted videos of incidents. "Even though some say they don't care, we edit the video so the department or individuals cannot be identified."

An analysis of close calls was selected as one of the 16 Life Safety Initiatives of the Everyone Goes Home program. The goal of that project is to reduce the number of firefighter fatalities by 25 percent in five years, and 50 percent in 10.

The annual report begins with a letter from Jim Harmes, IAFC president; and Dennis Smith, a member of the Near-Miss program task force.

"...Those are the calls that make our hearts beat a little faster. Those are the calls that we nervously laugh about when someone mentions them around the kitchen table during dinner...The Near-Miss program just isn't talking about changing the safety culture...It is an investment in the future of the fire service..."

Tippett, a battalion chief in Montgomery County, MD, said 2006 data shows firefighters, company officers and chief officers are filing nearly an equal number of reports.

Other statistics include:

• Last year, 580 reports were submitted
• Firefighters submitting the most reports were between 34-42 years old
• The majority have between 17-23 years of experience
• Paid municipal departments submitted the most reports; followed by combination and volunteer companies
• Forty-four percent came from departments serving suburban areas; 33 percent, urban and 22 percent, rural.
• The three leading causes of the near miss were situation awareness, human error and decision making.
• During March, 77 reports were filed. February was second, 62; January, 59; and August, 58.
• Of the documents submitted, 277 occurred during a fire emergency.
• The reporters said they believed the majority of the incidents could have been life-threatening.

On April 10, Hultman and Tippett will discuss the Near-Miss program on a Firehouse.com webcast.