Incident Scene Safety Officer Policy PDF

INCIDENT SCENE SAFETY OFFICER 1.0 POLICY 1.1 In an effort to enhance the level of safety to all personnel, it shall be the policy of the City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue to provide for a designated Incident Scene Safety Officer to assist with risk management at all Code 1 or greater fire alar...

INCIDENT SCENE SAFETY OFFICER 1.0 POLICY 1.1 In an effort to enhance the level of safety to all personnel, it shall be the policy of the City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue to provide for a designated Incident Scene Safety Officer to assist with risk management at all Code 1 or greater fire alarms, other high-risk emergency operations, or as requested by the Incident Commander. The presence of the Incident Scene Safety Officer in no way diminishes the responsibility of all officers for the safety of their assigned personnel. Each and every member shall work within the intent of established safety procedures at all times. 2.0 REFERENCES 2.1 N.F.P.A. 1500 2.2 NFPA 1521 3.0 DEFINITIONS 3.1 INCIDENT SCENE SAFETY OFFICER: A District Chief ,the Fire Department Safety Officer (FDSO), or any member used by the Incident Commander on highrisk incidents to assist with the identification and mitigation of safety hazards. 3.2 INCIDENT COMMANDER: The fire department member in overall command of an emergency incident. 3.3 FIRE DEPARTMENT SAFETY OFFICER (FDSO): A member of the fire department assigned by the Director of the Department of Fire-Rescue. The FDSO is identified as car “77” (during non-emergency activities) and by “Safety” at the emergency scene. 3.4 EMERGENCY INCIDENT: A specific emergency operation. 3.5 INCIDENT SCENE: The location where activities related to a specific incident are conducted. This shall include the entire area subject to incident-related hazards and all areas used by fire department members and equipment in proximity to the incident. 3.6 EMERGENCY OPERATIONS: Activities of the fire department relating to rescue, fire suppression, emergency medical care, and special operations, including response to the scene of the incident and all functions performed at the scene. Revised 1-10-08 3.7 IMMINENT HAZARD: An act or condition that is judged to present a danger to persons or property and is so immediate and severe that it requires immediate corrective or preventative action. 3.8 INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: An organized system of roles, responsibilities, and standard operating procedures used to manage and direct emergency operations. Such systems are often referred to as incident command systems (ICS). 3.9 HAZARDOUS AREA: The area where members might be exposed to a hazardous atmosphere. A particular substance, device, event, circumstance, or condition that presents a danger to members. 3.10 RISK: A measure of the probability and severity of adverse effects. These adverse effects result from an exposure to a hazard. 4.0 PROCEDURE 4.1 Upon the designation of a Code 1 (or higher alarm) a second District Chief will automatically be dispatched by the Alarm Office (AO) and assume the role of Incident Scene Safety Officer until the incident is determined “safe” (by the Incident Commander) or until properly relieved by the Fire Department Safety Officer (FDSO). 4.2 The Incident Scene Safety Officer will not be assigned other duties that would distract from intended safety and risk assessment responsibilities. 4.3 The Incident Commander may request additional District Chiefs, if needed, for Division/Group assignments, but shall maintain the Incident Scene Safety Officer until satisfied the emergency scene is “safe” and no further assistance is required. 5.0 RESPONSIBILITY 5.1 The Incident Scene Safety Officer will notify the Alarm Office and the Incident Commander of arrival and report to the Command Post unless immediate attention is required elsewhere on the emergency scene. In such cases, the Incident Commander shall be notified. 5.2 All District Chief cars shall carry a reflective/highly visible vest with the word “SAFETY”. This vest shall be worn for scene identification unless the Incident Scene Safety Officer enters the “hazardous area” of an emergency scene where full personnel protective equipment (PPE) is required. 5.3 The Incident Scene Safety Officer shall work within the parameters of the Incident Management System. Revised 1-10-08 5.4 The Incident Scene Safety Officer shall use the term “Safety” for all radio communications at the emergency scene. 5.5 The Incident Scene Safety Officer shall monitor personnel and fire/emergency conditions to minimize risk and to ensure that safety practices and procedures are complied with including: proper and mandatory use of all issued personal protective equipment (PPE), personnel accountability, establishment of Rapid Intervention Teams (RIT), and for the rehabilitation of personnel. 5.6 When activities are judged by the Incident Scene Safety Officer to be unsafe and involve an imminent hazard, the Incident Scene Safety Officer shall have the authority to alter, suspend, or terminate those activities. The Incident Scene Safety Officer shall immediately inform the Incident Commander of any actions taken to correct imminent hazards at the emergency scene. 5.7 When the Incident Scene Safety Officer identifies unsafe conditions, operations, or hazards that do not present imminent danger, he/she shall take appropriate action through the Incident Commander to mitigate or eliminate the unsafe condition, operation, or hazard. 5.8 The Incident Scene Safety Officer will notify the Incident Commander and the Fire Department Safety Officer (FDSO) of any injuries to department personnel or equipment damage or failure so that proper investigative procedures may be initiated Revised 1-10-08