TN 104.2.5- Incident Safety Officer

Incident Safety Officer (ISO) Role and Responsibilities

• The ISO initially serves as the Incident Commander, but at large incidents, this role is delegated to a designated ISO.
• The ISO is usually filled by the second or third on-scene District Chief.

Authority of the ISO

• The ISO has the authority to alter, suspend, or terminate unsafe activities involving an imminent hazard at an emergency scene.
• The ISO can eliminate or control hazards through the Incident Commander (IC) at an emergency scene.
• When the ISO exercises their authority, they must immediately inform the IC to ensure it does not negatively affect strategy or tactics.

Goals of the ISO

• Minimize injuries to firefighters by making the emergency scene safer.
• Recognize and understand the types of hazards present on the emergency scene.
• Recommend proactive and corrective measures to minimize the likelihood of accidents occurring.

Knowledge Requirements for the ISO

• Managing incident scene safety.
• Building construction.
• Reading smoke conditions.
• Toronto Fire Services Incident Management and Accountability Systems.
• The Incident Commander's Rules of Engagement.

Assignment of an Incident Safety Officer

• The IC is responsible for appointing an ISO at an emergency incident whenever activities, size, or need occurs.
• Additional ISOs may be appointed depending on the nature of the incident.

Relationship between the ISO and the IC

• The IC is in charge of strategic decision making at an emergency incident.
• The ISO provides advice to the IC regarding safety-related issues involved in the IC's Incident Action Plan (IAP) and other activities.

Relationship between the ISO and the RIT

• The ISO ensures the RIT is in place and utilizes the RIT when not deployed to continue sizing up and monitoring the building integrity and changing conditions.
• RIT reports any concerns to the ISO.
• Upon deployment of RIT, the IC may assign the ISO as RITSO, or assign another officer on scene.
• If the IC utilizes the ISO as RITSO, they must assign another ISO.

ISO Role at an Emergency Incident

• The IC communicates their Incident Action Plan to the ISO, who then provides an initial risk assessment of the IAP.

Responsibilities of the ISO

• Adhere to the principles and practices of the TFS IMS and Accountability system.
• Report to the IC.
• Maintain communications with the IC.
• Be readily identifiable with a safety officer vest.
• Utilize correct levels of personal protective equipment.
• Operate in teams within the controlled area.
• Conduct a 360° size-up of the incident where possible.
• Determine whether adequate resources (time, personnel, equipment) are available.
• Determine types of construction and how fire/damage may affect the structural integrity of the building.
• Analyze fire and smoke conditions to predict the possibility of a hostile fire event (flashover, backdraft).
• Continually conduct a risk assessment.
• Report conditions and concerns to the IC on an ongoing basis.
• Ensure personnel are performing safely.
• Ensure Rehab sector is established.
• Ensure Accountability is established.
• Ensure Post Incident Decontamination.
• During water tower operations in limited visibility, an ISO can serve as a ground spotter when the water tower stream is repositioned.