54 Questions
What is the primary responsibility associated with the title 'safety officer' in fire departments?
Report to the incident commander (IC)
What did the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) suggest in 1991 regarding the safety officer title and responsibilities?
Divide the safety officer role into health and safety officer (HSO) and incident safety officer (ISO)
In some fire departments, who may actually hold the position of safety officer?
An OSHA compliance officer
What was the outcome of the project team's audit of the class 'Preparing the Fireground Safety Officer' offered by the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA)?
Development of courses dividing the safety officer role into two titles: health and safety officer (HSO) and incident safety officer (ISO)
Who is often delegated the task of safety officer at an incident in fire departments?
A fire officer who reports to the incident commander (IC)
What class did the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) develop and offer in 1991 with regard to the safety officer title?
'Fireground Safety Officer'
What is the trend for the overall number of firefighter injuries?
Declining
Which type of firefighter injury is the leading cause?
Strain, sprain, or muscle pain
What is the trend for the overall number of firefighter line-of-duty deaths (LODDs)?
Declining
Which category of firefighter LODDs is declining?
Cardiac related
What is the leading cause of firefighter LODDs?
Strain, sprain, or muscle pain
According to the text, what role can ISOs play in reducing firefighter injuries and deaths?
ISOs can start to reduce threats today
According to the text, what is the effect of work-related injuries on firefighters' worker compensation insurance coverage?
It increases the cost of worker compensation programs
What is the basis for setting workers’ compensation rates for firefighters in each state?
NCCI rate × payroll × experience modifier
What is the reason that a fire department cannot always shop around for a good workers' compensation rate?
The ramifications of a firefighter's injury on the job may be felt for many years
What does the text suggest about the long-term financial impact of serious firefighter injuries on fire departments?
Serious injuries affect fire department budget-balancing for several years
What does the text imply about the community's perception of firefighters and their profession in relation to injury and fatality?
Historically, firefighters have worn the image of protector or hero with pride
What consequence does the text mention regarding a firefighter work slowdown following the loss of a fellow firefighter through injury or death?
A firefighter work slowdown creates stress in the workplace
What were the titles of the courses that were developed into field courses and taught across the United States?
HSO and ISO
Why did small fire departments realize that one individual could not possibly perform both the HSO and ISO roles?
As one individual could not be present at every incident where an ISO would be desirable and at the same time fill the role of HSO
In large departments, what was clear about the management of a significant occupational health and safety program?
It required knowledge and skills that were markedly different from those required of an ISO.
What was the purpose of updating NFPA 1521, Fire Department Safety Officer, in the mid-1990s?
To reflect the HSO/ISO division
What is the role of an Incident Safety Officer (ISO) according to NFPA 1521?
Monitoring and assessing safety hazards or unsafe situations at incidents
What is the National Incident Management System (NIMS) used for?
To create a consistent nationwide approach to prepare for, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents
What does NIMS use as the generic title for a member of Command Staff responsible for monitoring and assessing safety hazards or unsafe situations?
Safety Officer (SOF)
What is the main focus of an HSO (Health and Safety Officer)?
Safety & health education
What event led to the formalization of the safety officer role?
World War II
In which decade did fire departments start integrating the safety officer role into their culture?
1980s
Which standard addressed the authority, qualifications, and responsibilities of the safety officer in the fire service?
NFPA 1521
What was the purpose of NFPA 1500?
To develop and administer an active health and safety program
Which event prompted the need for an industrial safety professional to emerge?
World War I
What was the purpose of the Williams-Steiger Act passed by Congress in 1970?
To create the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
In which war did significant injury and death occur in support operations as well as in combat, prompting the military to appoint safety officers?
World War II
Which organization played a role in prompting safety measures in factories and manufacturing industries?
Insurance industry
What is the average number of firefighter deaths per year from 1977 to 2013, not including the 343 FDNY firefighters killed in the collapse of the World Trade Center Towers on September 11, 2001?
112
What is the primary cause of most Line of Duty Deaths (LODDs) among firefighters?
Stress (cardiac) related incidents
What trend is observed in the percentage of firefighter LODDs due to noncardiac, on-scene causes?
Increasing
What program has been established to examine Line of Duty Deaths (LODDs) as a preventive measure to help the fire service?
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program
What type of injuries are still the most common for all fire service activities?
Strains and sprains
What organization reports annually on firefighter injuries based on a survey sent to fire departments?
NFPA
What is considered to be accurate within a 5% margin of error when estimating firefighter injuries?
$10 million grant for firefighter injury research
What is the declining trend observed in the combined number of injuries from all fire service activities from 1981 to 2012?
$103 thousand injuries in 1981 to $69.4 thousand injuries in 2012
What trend has been observed in the number of fire ground injuries per 1,000 fires over the past 30 years?
Increasing Declining at 22 injuries per 1,000 fires
What are the most common types of injuries for fireground activities (moderate to severe)?
Strains and sprains; cuts, lacerations, and bruises
What is considered a key preventive recommendation cited in dozens of NIOSH LODD investigation reports?
Establishing a separate incident safety officer independent from the IC at each structure fire
What is the role of a fire department ISO based on?
Providing investigation and incident safety duties
What does the NFPA 1500 pertain to?
HSO requirements, duties, and responsibilities
What is the main focus of NFPA 1521?
Qualifications for fire department ISOs
Who is responsible for assigning the Type 1 and Type 2 IMTs in the United States?
National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC)
What is the purpose of Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 signed by President George W. Bush?
To mandate the use of NIMS as part of the National Response Plan
What is the primary qualification for an SOF1?
Deployment nationwide as part of a national incident management team
What distinguishes the NIIMS used by the NWCG from the NIMS used by the Department of Homeland Security?
The title used to describe the safety officer within NIMS
What is the significance of relocating the duties and responsibilities of the HSO and ISO from NFPA 1521 to NFPA 1500 and 1561 standards?
It reflects a shift in professional qualifications and standards for safety officers
What does Alan Brunacini's statement about providing a service at the expense of those providing the service imply?
The firefighting profession has neglected its duty to ensure firefighter safety
Study Notes
Safety Officer Role
- The primary responsibility of a safety officer in a fire department is to ensure the safety of firefighters during emergency responses.
- In 1991, the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) suggested that the safety officer title and responsibilities should be standardized across fire departments.
FDSOA Developments
- The Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) developed and offered the class "Preparing the Fireground Safety Officer" in 1991.
- The FDSOA also developed a class on fireground safety.
Incident Safety Officer (ISO)
- At an incident, the task of safety officer is often delegated to the incident safety officer (ISO).
- According to NFPA 1521, the role of an ISO is to monitor and assess safety hazards or unsafe situations.
Firefighter Injuries and Deaths
- The trend for overall firefighter injuries is decreasing.
- The leading cause of firefighter injuries is overexertion/strain.
- The trend for overall firefighter line-of-duty deaths (LODDs) is decreasing.
- The leading cause of firefighter LODDs is cardiovascular events.
- The category of firefighter LODDs that is declining is transportation-related incidents.
Worker Compensation Insurance
- ISOs can play a role in reducing firefighter injuries and deaths, which can lead to lower worker compensation insurance rates.
- Work-related injuries affect firefighters' worker compensation insurance coverage.
National Incident Management System (NIMS)
- NIMS is used for incident management.
- NIMS uses the generic title "Safety Officer" for a member of Command Staff responsible for monitoring and assessing safety hazards or unsafe situations.
Health and Safety Officer (HSO)
- The main focus of an HSO is occupational health and safety.
History of Safety Officer Role
- The safety officer role was formalized in response to the Williams-Steiger Act passed by Congress in 1970.
- Fire departments started integrating the safety officer role into their culture in the 1970s.
- NFPA 1500 addressed the authority, qualifications, and responsibilities of the safety officer in the fire service.
- NFPA 1521 addressed the role of an Incident Safety Officer (ISO).
Firefighter Fatalities
- From 1977 to 2013, the average number of firefighter deaths per year was around 100.
Preventive Measures
- A program has been established to examine Line of Duty Deaths (LODDs) as a preventive measure to help the fire service.
Injury Trends
- Strains and sprains are the most common types of injuries for all fire service activities.
- The trend for the combined number of injuries from all fire service activities from 1981 to 2012 is decreasing.
NFPA Standards
- NFPA 1500 pertains to fire department occupational safety and health.
- NFPA 1521 pertains to the role of an Incident Safety Officer (ISO).
Test your knowledge on safety divisions, shift-assigned safety officers, injury investigation, and the National Interagency Incident Management System (NIIMS) as it relates to the FIRESCOPE program.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
