CHAPTER 10 Triggers, Traps, and Working with the Incident Commander

Introduction to Safety Messaging

• Successful Incident Safety Officers (ISOs) utilize a variety of communication methods to enhance safety awareness among crews.
• ISO effectiveness hinges on how concerns and solutions are presented to the Incident Commander (IC), maintaining harmony is crucial for firefighter safety.

Safety Triggers

• Training officers emphasize the motto, "Train like we play and play like we train," to promote safe behaviors during incidents.
• ISOs must use various triggers to instill situational awareness among firefighters, categorized as passive (subtle) and active (direct).
• Examples of passive triggers include visibility and setting an example, while active triggers encompass soft and firm interventions.

Being Visible

• ISOs should wear a high-visibility vest marked "SAFETY," promoting self-correction among crews and enhancing their visibility.
• The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) mandates that safety officers be easily identifiable during incidents for effective communication.
• A distinctive vest color, preferred as green, helps crews recognize hazards and promotes hazard sharing with ISOs.

Setting an Example

• ISOs influence crew behavior through personal accountability, adherence to safety protocols, and visible self-discipline.
• Guideline adherence includes staying in sight of responders and using personal protective equipment (PPE).

Soft Intervention

• Safety issues may require soft interventions that are non-confrontational and promote awareness without immediate urgency.
• Effective techniques include using humor, subtle reminders, and asking non-threatening questions to encourage safer practices.
• Soft interventions are inappropriate during imminent threat scenarios; maintaining relevance is key to successful communication.

Firm Intervention

• Firm interventions entail direct orders to stop or modify unsafe actions, with authority supported by the IC.
• NFPA standards grant ISOs the power to halt activities posing imminent threats, necessitating immediate communication to the IC post-intervention.

ISO Traps

• Bunker Cop Syndrome: Focusing excessively on PPE inspection, risking broader safety oversight.
• CYA Mode: Prioritizing personal liability over crew safety, leading to distrust from firefighting teams.
• Worker Trap: Becoming overly involved in tactical tasks, impairing the ISO's observational role.

Working Within Command Systems

• ISOs operate within the Incident Command System (ICS), reporting directly to the IC and supporting safety function.
• The ISO-IC relationship is strengthened through proper authority, communication, and solution-oriented approaches.

ISO's Role with Incident Action Plans (IAPs)

• The ISO must confirm the IAP upon assignment, focusing on responder safety objectives and necessary updates.
• Written IAPs are required for complex incidents, including specific safety forms like ICS 208 and ICS 215A.

Local-Level ISO Function Expansion

• Request for additional safety officer resources may arise under certain conditions, including large geographic incidents or increased risk scenarios.
• Well-trained ASOs may be necessary for specialized incidents, such as hazardous materials and technical rescues.

Transferring ISO Responsibilities

• ISO duties may shift due to incident complexity or operational requirements. A formal briefing using the MEDIC acronym ensures continuity of safety oversight.

National Incident Management System (NIMS)

• NIMS provides structure for complex incident responses, categorizing incidents from local Type 5 events to federal Type 1 events.
• Incident management timelines dictate ISO transition from tactical observations to strategic planning as incident scale increases.

Summary of ISO Functionality

• ISOs enact safety behavior through a combination of passive and active triggers, tailoring interventions based on the immediacy of threats.
• Effective ISOs should avoid the traps of excessive oversight, self-preservation, and tactical involvement to sustain their effectiveness in enhancing firefighter safety.### NFPA Standards and NIMS Integration
• The Incident Safety Officer (ISO) is part of the command staff, directly reporting to the Incident Commander (IC).
• Elements in the Incident Action Plan (IAP) include strategic goals, risk-taking levels, tactical assignments, incident priorities, communication channels, and safety concerns.

ISO Responsibilities

• The ISO emphasizes risk management and safety hazards in monitoring incidents.
• Firm interventions by the ISO (e.g., stop, alter, suspend) must be communicated to the IC to ensure appropriate IAP adjustments.
• Radio communication is vital for fast reporting of interventions to avoid delays.

Communication Protocols

• Face-to-face meetings with the IC are required every 15 minutes during typical incidents.
• The ISO should primarily use radio communication for firm interventions, identifying themselves as “Safety” rather than their usual identifier (e.g., Battalion 101).
• The ISO must monitor radio transmissions for communication barriers, which may result from equipment problems, human errors, or administrative controls.

Problem-Solving Approach

• The ISO should adopt a solution-oriented communication style with the IC, including:
  • Observations: "This is what I see."
  • Interpretations: "This is what it means to me."
  • Recommendations: "Here’s my solution."
  • Inquiries: "What do you think?"

Requesting Additional Support

• The ISO can expand safety resources by requesting Assistant Safety Officers (ASOs) through the IC when incidents are complex or large.
• Circumstances for requesting ASOs may include geographic size, risk levels, activation of Rapid Intervention Crews (RIC), or multi-agency involvement.

Transfer of ISO Duties

• ISO responsibilities may be handed off for several reasons, such as:
  • Need for higher expertise.
  • ISO fatigue or multiple operational periods.
  • The ISO's focus shift to the role of an ASO.
  • Transitioning the incident to another agency or Incident Management Team (IMT).
• The MEDIC acronym helps with transferring duties, ensuring all key information is shared:
  • Monitoring issues.
  • Evaluating known hazards.
  • Developing preventive measures.
  • Documenting interventions.
  • Communicating any issues.

Incident Typing Scheme

• Incident types are categorized by resource requirements:
  • Type 5 = Local incidents easily managed.
  • Type 4 = Local incidents needing extra resources.
  • Type 3 = Regional incidents.
  • Type 2 = Multiregional or state incidents needing fewer than 200 personnel.
  • Type 1 = Most complex incidents.
• Types 1 and 2 incidents typically have organized Incident Management Teams (IMTs) ready to respond.

ISO Function and Field Safety

• The ISO role is filled by Safety Officer 1 (SOF1) or Safety Officer 2 (SOF2), who may assign Line Safety Officers (SOFRs) to help with field safety functions.

Test your knowledge on the essential responsibilities of an Incident Safety Officer (ISO) in ensuring firefighter safety. This quiz covers safety trigger categorization, examples of active safety triggers, and the ISO's relationship with the Incident Action Plan (IAP). Determine how visibility as an ISO impacts firefighting teams and identify misconceptions about safety triggers.