GOALS OF A FIREFIGHTER SAFETY PROGRAM

FIREFIGHTER I • LESSON 1B

TS 1B–1

GOALS OF A FIREFIGHTER SAFETY PROGRAM

• Preventing human suffering, deaths, injuries, and exposures to hazardous atmospheres and contagious diseases

• Preventing damage/loss of equipment • Reducing the incidence and severity of accidents and hazardous exposures Safety practices cannot simply be taught – they must be practiced and enforced.

TS 1B–2a

FIREFIGHTER HEALTH GUIDELINES • Stay informed about job-related health issues. • Follow recommendations for vaccination against hepatitis B.

• Use precautions to avoid exposure to HIV. • Learn proper lifting techniques. • Use tools designed to assist in lifting heavy objects.

• Properly clean and store tools and equipment used in patient care.

TS 1B–2b

FIREFIGHTER HEALTH GUIDELINES (cont.)

• Maintain a regular exercise program to sustain physical fitness.

• Maintain a diet that reduces cholesterol, fat, and sodium intake.

• Be aware of cardiovascular and cancer risks. • Have regular physicals and medical check-ups.

TS 1B–3

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AREAS OF ASSISTANCE

• Alcohol abuse

• Divorce

• Drug abuse

• Career development

• Personal problems

• Nutrition

• Stress

• Hypertension

• Depression

• Smoking cessation

• Anxiety

• Weight control

TS 1B–4

BENEFITS OF AN EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

• Is available to all members and their families • Provides referrals

• Provides health education and counseling • Assists with handling critical incident stress  Prebriefing  Debriefing (CISD)  Defusing

TS 1B–5

APPARATUS SAFETY RULES • Seat yourself in the apparatus.

• Do not ride standing anywhere on the apparatus.

• Do not dress while apparatus is in motion.

• Ride within fully enclosed portion of cab; if unable, wear helmet and eye protection.

• Wear ear protection if noise level exceeds 90 decibels.

• Fasten your seat belt. • Never ride on the tailboard.

• Use handrails when dismounting apparatus.

• Jump clear of apparatus that may be in contact with electrical wires.

TS 1B–6

PERSONAL SAFETY RULES IN THE FIRE STATION • Use proper lifting techniques to prevent back injury.

• Keep floors clean and free of slipping hazards.

• Watch your footing on stairs and uneven surfaces. • Keep traffic areas free of tripping hazards. • Be sure that aisles are unobstructed and that stairs are well lighted.

• Maintain handrails, slide poles, and slides in a safe condition.

TS 1B–7

TOOL & EQUIPMENT SAFETY RULES • Replace damaged or broken tools.

• Return tools to storage after use.

• Inspect and clean tools before storing.

• Secure manufacturer’s approval before modifying a tool.

• Use spark-resistant tools in flammable atmospheres.

• Wear appropriate PPE. • Remove all jewelry. • Select the appropriate tool for the job.

• Know the

manufacturer’s instructions and follow them.

• Inspect tools before use to determine their condition.

TS 1B–8

HAND & POWER TOOL SAFETY RULES HAND TOOLS

• Inspect all tools before each use. • Never use a “cheater” to supply additional leverage. POWER TOOLS

• Ensure that trained, authorized personnel make repairs.

• Ensure that any electrical tool not marked “double insulated” has three-prong plug.

TS 1B–9a

POWER SAW SAFETY RULES

• Match the saw to the task and the material to be cut.

• Wear proper protective equipment. • Have hoselines in place when using a power saw to force entry into an area where fire is suspected and when using a power saw to perform vertical ventilation.

• Avoid the use of all saws when working in a flammable atmosphere.

TS 1B–9b

POWER SAW SAFETY RULES (cont.)

• Keep unprotected and unessential people out of the work area.

• Follow manufacturer’s procedures for proper saw operation.

• Use caution to avoid igniting gasoline vapors when refueling a hot, gasoline-powered saw.

• Keep blades and chains well sharpened.

TS 1B–10

TRAINING SAFETY • NFPA 1500 requires monthly training for all who may engage in structural fire fighting.

• Other training sessions should be required as needed or at least twice a year.

TS 1B–11

PERSONAL SAFETY

• All training at a drill site must include protective gear.

• Trainees with any symptoms of illness should have a medical examination before they continue training.

• Horseplay during training is forbidden.

TS 1B–12

MAINTAINING & SERVICING EQUIPMENT

• Training equipment must be maintained in peak condition.

• All tools and equipment should be inspected before each drill.

TS 1B–13

EMERGENCY SCENE SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS • Is it safe or feasible to undertake the emergency operation?

• Does operation require rescuing victims or stopping property loss?

• Do risks involved warrant limiting the actions of firefighters?

• Remember that the IC’s first priority is firefighter safety; the second, victim safety.

TS 1B–14

CROWD CONTROL

• Know that law enforcement is usually responsible for crowd control.

• Keep all bystanders away from the incident for their own safety and that of victims and emergency personnel.

• Keep friends and relatives of victims away from the incident but treated with sensitivity and understanding in an area of their own.

• Know that zone boundaries are affected by work space, hazard degree, and topography.

TS 1B–15

PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY TAG SYSTEM

• A simple tag system can help account for personnel within the fireground perimeter.

• Identification tags are attached to a control board for quick reference.

TS 1B–16

PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY SCBA TAG SYSTEM

• An SCBA tag system provides accountability for personnel inside a structure.

• Tags allow supervisor to record time of entry and exit of each firefighter.

© Copyright 1998, Board of Regents, Oklahoma State University All Rights Reserved. No part of this presentation may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publisher.