Incident Safety Officer SOG - PDF

Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) Incident Safety Officer Effective Date: 09/01/2024 Procedure Number 04-03G Revised Date: Number of Pages 2 1. Over...

Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) Incident Safety Officer Effective Date: 09/01/2024 Procedure Number 04-03G Revised Date: Number of Pages 2 1. Overview The Incident Safety Officer is a member of the command staff during any incident and is responsible for developing the risk assessment and safety plan. The purpose of this Standard Operating Guideline is to specify the duties and responsibilities of the Incident Safety Officer on emergency calls as well as provide qualifications for the position. 1. Definitions Incident Command (IC) – The Incident Commander is ultimately responsible for all responders at an incident. The Incident Commander (IC) shall appoint a qualified fire officer or firefighter “acting in charge” to serve the role of Incident Safety Officer (ISO) Incident Safety Officer (ISO) - The Incident Safety Officer is tasked with monitoring incident operations and advises the Incident Commander (IC) or Unified Command on all matters relating to operational safety, including the health and safety of incident personnel. Command Staff - A group of people who report directly to the Incident Commander and are responsible for performing or supporting the Command function. The Command Staff typically includes Public Information Officer, Safety Officer, & Liaison Officer Support Engine – Per Salt Lake City Fire Operational Guideline 04-03F, the support engine is called to the scene of any emergency on declaration of a “working incident” by command. The initial assignment given to the Officer is Incident Safety Officer. The IC can deviate as needed but is still responsible for naming an ISO for the incident. 2. Position Qualifications a. NIMS: IS 100, IS 200, ICS 300, ICS 400, IS 700, & IS 800 b. ISO Certification through the NFA or UFRA c. Promoted Officer or “Acting” Officer d. Have a knowledge of safety and health hazards involved in emergency operations e. Have a minimum knowledge of building construction f. Have a minimum knowledge of the personnel accountability system g. Have a minimum knowledge of incident scene rehabilitation 3. Job Duties and Responsibilities Upon arrival, conducts a 360-degree evaluation of the incident and identifies incident-related hazardous situations. The ISO then reports those situations to the IC. Don the proper PPE including SBCA for the potential hazards that he/she will be exposed to. Identifies actions to mitigate risks and hazards with the greatest potential for serious accident or injury while monitoring conditions and operations and decide whether they fall into the criteria of the incident’s risk management plan.  Ensure the safety, welfare, and accountability of assigned incident personnel. This includes ensuring that a rehab/welfare unit has been established in accordance with Salt Lake Fire Department Operational Guideline 04-036F Exercise emergency authority to stop unsafe actions at any time. Monitors all radio transmissions and will have a radio designation as “Safety”. Set up and communicate collapse zones, evaluate traffic hazards and apparatus placement, monitor smoke and fire conditions as well as any fire extension. Ensures a Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) is available and ready. The ISO will perform a face-to- face with RIC and share observations and/or concerns. Determines the need for subject matter experts or technical specialists to advise on or oversee unique safety issues or hazards, such as confined space, hazardous materials, and infectious diseases. Assigns and oversees Assistant Safety Officers, technical specialists, and subject matter experts as necessary. Investigates or coordinates the investigation of accidents occurring within the incident area. 4. Guidelines The IC can designate an Incident Safety Officer anytime throughout the emergency if circumstances dictate. According to Operational Guideline 04-036F, the officer of the Support Engine will normally be called on by the IC to assume the Safety Officer role, although if the IC needs a tactical resource, the support engine can take on a different function. On larger incident where multiple B/C’s respond, the 3rd arriving B/C will assume Safety. If safety is already established through the support engine functions, a face-to-face will take place with the B/C assuming the Safety Officer role.