This document summarizes key points from Chapter 2 of a firefighter safety and health textbook. It discusses NFPA 1500 standards which specify minimum requirements for firefighter safety programs. These include policies, training, protective equipment, emergency operations, and health considerations. The leading causes of firefighter injuries are overexertion, slips/trips/falls and improper lifting. Maintaining physical fitness, wearing proper PPE, following safety procedures and participating in wellness programs can help reduce risks to firefighter health and safety.

1. Chapter 2 — Firefighter Safety & Health

2. 2–2
Chapter 2 Lesson Goal
• After completing this lesson, the student shall be able
to apply FF safety & health practices following the
policies & procedures set forth by FrPD

3. 2–3
Ways to Prevent Injuries
• Conducting effective training
• Maintaining company discipline & accountability
• Following established SOPs
• All ranks in FrPD have a responsibility for safety
(Continued)

4. 2–4
Ways to Prevent Injuries
• Using personal protective
clothing & equipment
• Maintaining high levels of
physical fitness

5. 2–5
DISCUSSION QUESTION
What do you think causes the greatest number of
firefighter injuries?

6. Firefighter Injuries
• Overexertion/strain is
leading cause of injury
• Slips, trips & falls
• Improper lifting
• 100,000 in US every
year (average)
2–6

7. Firefighter Deaths
• 21.7% due to vehicle crashes
• 24.4% to “other” causes
• 53.9% due to stress/overexertion
• Heart attack/cardiac arrest
• An average of 100 FF’s die each year in US
2–7

8. 2–8
NFPA Standards
• Relate to firefighter safety & health
• Consensus documents; not law unless adopted by
governing body
• Many U.S. & Canadian governing bodies have
adopted some NFPA® standards; others have not

9. 2–9
NFPA 1500
• Most comprehensive firefighter safety & health
standard
• Specifies fire department safety & health program
minimum requirements
• Applied to any fire department or similar organization
• Fire departments should:
 Recognize safety & health as official objectives
 Provide as healthy & safe work environment as possible
(Continued)

10. 2–10
NFPA 1500
• Promotes safety throughout
the fire service
• Minimum standard; can be
exceeded

11. 2–11
NFPA 1500 Topics
• Safety & health-related policies & procedures
• Training & education
• Fire apparatus, equipment, & driver/operators
• Protective clothing & protective equipment
(Continued)

12. 2–12
NFPA 1500 Topics
• Emergency operations
• Facility safety
• Medical & physical requirements
• Member assistance & wellness programs
• Critical incident stress management program

13. 2–13
NFPA 1500 — Safety & Health-Related
Policies & Procedures
Fire departments must:
• Develop an organizational plan, risk management
plan, safety & health policy
• Define roles & responsibilities
• Establish safety & health committee
• Keep records
• Appoint a health & safety officer
(Continued)

14. 2–14
NFPA 1500 — Safety & Health-Related
Policies & Procedures
Safety & health program must:
• Address anticipated hazards
• Include provisions for dealing with
nonemergency issues
• Include SOPs

15. 2–15
NFPA 1500 — Training & Education
• Goal must be to prevent occupational deaths, injuries
& illnesses
• Training — Developing & maintaining job skills
• Education — Learning new information, concepts, &
procedures
• Train & educate personnel to consider safety in all
activities
• Safety must be reinforced
(Continued)

16. 2–16
NFPA 1500 — Fire Apparatus,
Equipment, & Driver/Operators
• Safety & health must be primary considerations
for apparatus
 Providing restraint devices
 Meeting requirements for vehicle’s intended role
• All apparatus driver/operators must be trained
(Continued)

17. 2–17
NFPA 1500 — Fire Apparatus,
Equipment, & Driver/Operators
• Personnel riding in apparatus must be seated &
securely belted inside the cab when in motion
• Three exceptions:
 Hose loading
 Tiller training
 Some EMS operations
(Continued)

18. 2–18
NFPA 1500 — Fire Apparatus,
Equipment, & Driver/Operators
• If noise levels exceed 90 decibels (dB), hearing
protection must be worn
• Exposures above 90 dB can lead to hearing loss

19. 2–19
NFPA 1500 — Protective Clothing &
Protective Equipment
• Departments must
provide at least one set
of protective clothing &
protective equipment
• Protective clothing
 Helmet
 Hood and/or shroud
 Coat
 Pants
(Continued)

20. 2–20
NFPA 1500 — Protective Clothing &
Protective Equipment
Protective clothing
• Safety shoes or boots
• Gloves
• Goggles or safety glasses
(Continued)

21. 2–21
NFPA 1500 — Protective Clothing &
Protective Equipment
Protective equipment
• SCBA
• Supplied air respirator (SAR)
• Personal alert safety system (PASS) device
• Other respiratory protection
• Some areas provide body armor for protection against
violence

22. 2–22
NFPA 1500 — Emergency Operations
Requires an incident management system
• Most use ICS
• Risk management
• Personnel accountability
(Continued)

23. 2–23
NFPA 1500 — Emergency Operations
• Limits emergency
operations to those that
can be safely conducted
(Continued)

24. 2–24
NFPA 1500 — Emergency Operations
NFPA 1500 requires
• Rapid intervention
• Rehabilitation
• Limiting exposure to violence
• Post-incident analysis: a general overview & critique of
incident, occurs within 2 wks
• Both NFPA 1500 & NFPA 1561 contain specific
requirements regarding accountability
(Continued)

25. 2–25
NFPA 1500 — Facility Safety
• Sets minimum design requirements that meet NFPA
101, Life Safety Code
• Provides a means for cleaning, disinfecting, & storing
infection control devices
(Continued)

26. 2–26
NFPA 1500 — Facility Safety
• Fire stations must be smoke-free environments (per
Aramco policy)
• Requires inspection, maintenance, & prompt repair of
facilities

27. 2–27
NFPA 1500 — Medical & Physical
Requirements
• Candidates must be medically evaluated
• Prohibits firefighters under the influence from
participating
• Physical performance standards
(Continued)

28. 2–28
NFPA 1500 — Medical & Physical
Requirements
• Annual medical verification for fitness for duty
• Establishment of job-related fitness standards &
fitness program
• Confidential health database
(Continued)

29. 2–29
NFPA 1500 — Medical & Physical
Requirements
• Infection control program
• Designated fire department physician
• Reporting & documenting injuries & exposures

30. 2–30
NFPA 1500 — Member Assistance &
Wellness Programs
• Member assistance program
 Substance abuse
 Stress
 Personal problems
• Wellness program
 Smoking Cessation

31. 2–31
DISCUSSION QUESTION
Why is Saudi Aramco concerned with safety off the job
as well on the job?

32. 2–32
IFSTA Principles of Risk Management
— Development
• NFPA 1500 requires incident management systems to
include a risk management plan
• Risk management plan
 Established set of criteria
 Tactical decisions can be made
(Continued)

33. 2–33
IFSTA Principles of Risk Management
— Development
Considered two well-known plans:
• Phoenix, AZ
• NFPA 1500

34. 2–34
IFSTA Principles of Risk Management

35. 2–35
IFSTA Principles of Risk Management
— Key Points
• Team integrity is vital to safety
• No property is worth the life of a FF
• FFs should not be committed to interior operations in
abandoned or derelict buildings known or believed to
be unoccupied

36. 2–36
DISCUSSION QUESTION
Why do you feel these principles are important to the
fire service?

37. 2–37
Fireground Priority
Highest priority is for FFs to protect their lives & those
of their fellow FFs
 If a FF is injured, unable to help others, other FFs must
respond to the injured FF

38. 2–38
Safety Program Goals
• Prevent human suffering, deaths, injuries, illnesses, &
exposures to hazardous atmospheres & transmittable
diseases
• Practiced & promoted at all levels in FrPD
(Continued)

39. 2–39
Safety Program Goals
• Prevent damage to or loss
of equipment
• Reduce incidence &
severity of accidents &
hazardous exposures

40. 2–40
DISCUSSION QUESTION
What do you do to help maintain your personal health?

41. 2–41
Firefighter Health Considerations
• Stay informed about job-related health issues
• Wear PPE & respiratory protection
• Clean PPE
• Follow hepatitis B vaccination recommendations
(Continued)

42. 2–42
Firefighter Health Considerations
• Use precautions to avoid
exposure to bloodborne
pathogens
• Use proper lifting techniques
(Continued)

43. 2–43
Firefighter Health Considerations
• Use lifting tools or get assistance with heavy objects
• Clean, disinfect, & store tools & equipment used in
patient care
• Maintain a regular exercise program
(Continued)

44. 2–44
Firefighter Health Considerations
• Maintain a diet low in cholesterol, fat, & sodium
• Maintain blood pressure & cholesterol levels
• Eliminate tobacco products
• Have regular physicals & checkups

45. 2–45
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Offers confidential assistance
• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Personal & interpersonal problems
• Stress
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Divorce
• Financial problems

46. 2–46
Wellness Program
Health-related problems
• Nutrition
• Hypertension
• Cessation of tobacco use
• Weight control
• Physical conditioning

47. 2–47
Availability of EAP & Wellness
Programs
• Available to all members &
their families
• Include appropriate referrals
• Allow easy, confidential
access to help
(Continued)

48. 2–48
Critical Incident Stress Management
(CISM)
• Process of managing
stress
• A critical incident stress
debriefing should be part
of the CISM program
• Should be held ASAP
after event but not later
than 72 hrs
(Continued)

49. 2–49
Critical Incident Stress Management
(CISM)
• Pre-briefing helps prepare the FF for responding to a
gruesome incident
• If working more than one shift in stressful conditions,
go through a minor debriefing
• Defusing: addresses chemical, medical exposures &
identifies equipment/ apparatus problems

50. 2–50
Riding on the Apparatus
• One of the most common dangers for firefighters
• All protective clothing is put on before (prior) entering
cab
• Everyone is seated before apparatus moves
(Continued)

51. 2–51
Riding on the Apparatus
NFPA 1500 requires
• FFs to ride in a seat within
the cab
• Have seatbelts fastened
(Continued)

52. 2–52
Riding on the Apparatus
• Hearing protection is needed
if sirens & engine noise levels
exceed 90 decibels
(Continued)

53. 2–53
Riding on the Apparatus
• Volunteers responding
in own vehicles should
use defensive driving
• If riding in an
unenclosed jump seat,
use safety bars &
wear appropriate PPE
(Continued)

54. 2–54
Riding on the Apparatus
• Use steps & handrails when
mounting/ dismounting
• If apparatus contacts energized
electrical wires, jump clear of the
apparatus

55. 2–55
Safety in the Fire Station — Personnel
Safety
• Two most common
ways people get hurt
at the fire station:
• Improper Lifting
• Slips, trips, & falls
(Continued)

56. 2–56
Safety in the Fire Station — Personnel
Safety
Improper lifting techniques cause
• Back strains (Most Common)
• Bruises, sprains, & fractures
• Damaged equipment
(Continued)

57. 2–57
Safety in the Fire Station — Personnel
Safety
Correct lifting techniques
• Keep the back straight; lift
with the legs
• Do not lift or carry heavy or
bulky objects without help
(Continued)

58. 2–58
Safety in the Fire Station — Personnel
Safety
Slip, trip, or fall
• Poor footing
• Minor or serious injuries;
damaged equipment
• Good housekeeping can
prevent

59. 2–59
Safety in the Fire Station — Tool and
Equipment Safety
• Accidents can happen if FFs are not properly trained
• Poorly maintained tools & equipment can be
dangerous
• NFPA 1500 stresses tool safety
• Always use appropriate PPE

60. 2–60
Hand and Small Power Tool Safety
• Wear appropriate PPE
• Remove loose clothing & keep long hair clear of
operating tool heads
• Remove jewelry
• Select the appropriate tool
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions
(Continued)

61. 2–61
Hand and Small Power Tool Safety
• Inspect tools before use
• Do not use badly worn or broken tools
• Provide adequate storage space & return tools after
use
• Inspect, clean, & put all tools in a ready state before
storing
(Continued)

62. 2–62
Hand and Small Power Tool Safety
• Consult with manufacturer before modifying any tool
• Use intrinsically safe tools in flammable atmospheres
• Do not remove safety shields or compromise built-in
safety devices

63. 2–63
Power Tool Safety
• Grinders, drills, saws, &
welding equipment are
common
• If improperly used can
cause serious or life-
threatening injury
(Continued)

64. 2–64
Power Tool Safety
• Only FFs who have read & understand manufacturer’s
instructions should use power tools
• Tool repairs must be made by a trained & authorized
person
(Continued)

65. 2–65
Power Tool Safety
• Keep accurate records of
repairs
• Any electrical tool not
marked “double insulated”
should have a three-prong
plug
• Connected to ground

66. 2–66
Power Saw Safety
• Match the saw to the task & material to be cut
• Never force a saw beyond its design limitations
• Wear proper PPE
• Remove loose clothing & contain long hair
(Continued)

67. 2–67
Power Saw Safety
• Have hoselines when cutting materials that generate
sparks
• Avoid using in potentially flammable atmospheres
• Keep bystanders out of work area
• Follow manufacturer’s procedures
(Continued)

68. 2–68
Power Saw Safety
• Allow gasoline-powered saws to cool before refueling
• Keep blades & cutting chains well sharpened
• Use extreme caution when operating any saw above
eye level

69. 2–69
Safety in Training
• Always wear appropriate protective gear
• Refer trainees with symptoms to a physician prior to
participation
• Take into account environmental conditions
(Continued)

70. 2–70
Safety in Training
• Do NOT allow
horseplay or
unprofessional conduct

71. 2–71
Safety in Training — Live Fire Exercises
• Must be conducted according to NFPA 1403
• Key requirements of NFPA 1403
 Site preparation
• Clear site of potential hazards
(Continued)

72. 2–72
Safety in Training — Live Fire Exercises
Key safety requirements of NFPA 1403
• Student-to-instructor ratio of 5:1 may not be exceeded
• Must be a designated safety officer & an instructor-in-
charge
• Cannot use human beings as victims
(Continued)

73. 2–73
Safety in Training — Live Fire Exercises
Key safety requirements of NFPA 1403
• Fires may not be set in egress routes
• Uniforms & PPE must conform to NFPA standards
(Continued)

74. 2–74
Safety in Training — Live Fire Exercises
Key requirements of NFPA 1403
• Prerequisite training — All participants must have had
basic fire training
• Water supply — Adequate supply must be provided;
separate for attack & backup lines
(Continued)

75. 2–75
Safety in Training — Live Fire Exercises
Key requirements of
NFPA 1403
• Training plan — Must be
prepared & a briefing held
(Continued)
Don’t do this!

76. 2–76
Safety in Training — Live Fire Exercises
Key requirements of NFPA 1403
• Fuel — Must have known burning characteristics
• Ventilation — Means must be provided to prevent
uncontrolled flashover & backdraft

77. 2–77
Maintain & Service Equipment
Equipment for fire training
• Must be in good condition
• Frequently wears out sooner
• Should be inspected before each drill
(Continued)

78. 2–78
Maintain & Service Equipment
Records & testing
• Records must be maintained on all equipment for
training
• Training equipment should be tested according to:
 Manufacturer’s instructions
 Applicable standards

79. 2–79
Emergency Scene Preparedness
Accidents or injuries at emergencies
• Often caused by a series of events
• Can be prevented by being in a ready state

80. 2–80
Actions for Preparedness: Beginning
Work Shift
• Be in the proper uniform, physically rested, & mentally
alert
• Ensure all tools & equipment are in place & working
• Ensure PPE is in proper location
(Continued)

81. 2–81
Actions for Preparedness: Beginning
Work Shift
• Ensure SCBA is fully functional
• Ensure MFR equipment is checked & restocked

82. 2–82
Actions for Preparedness: In the Fire
Station
• FFs must never put themselves in a position to delay
response
• When alarm sounds, stay calm & listen to the officer
• Quickly & calmly mount apparatus

83. 2–83
Actions for Preparedness: Any Stage of
an Emergency
• FFs must never act so they become a part of the
emergency or creates a new one
• We should never be part of the problem

84. 2–84
Emergency Scene Safety
Incident Commander (IC)
Officer of the 1st-arriving unit begins to control incident
by assuming Command & using ICS
(Continued)

85. 2–85
Emergency Scene Safety
Initial IC must size up critical factors
• Life safety hazards
• Nature & extent of emergency
• Building type, arrangement, & access
• Resources
• Special hazards
(Continued)

86. 2–86
Emergency Scene Safety
• IC must determine overall
incident strategy
• Offensive operations:
working inside the hazard
zone
• Defensive operations:
working outside the hazard
zone
(Continued)
Defensive Operations

87. 2–87
Incident Action Plan
• IC develops IAP & bases operations around
completion of tactical priorities
• Tactical priorities in a structure fire
 FF safety (Life Safety)
 Rescue (Life Safety)
 Fire control (Incident Stabilization)
 Loss control (Property Conservation)
(Continued)

88. 2–88
Incident Action Plan
• IAP is based on size-up information
• Priority objectives are reflected in benchmarks of
completion:
 Personnel Accountability Report (PAR)
 All Clear: Primary search complete
 Under Control: Fire progress is stopped
 Loss Stopped: property conservation complete

89. 2–89
Offensive Fire Operations
• Based around a controlled, aggressive interior search
and fire attack
• Companies must be assigned according to fireground
organizational structure
• Must work with the IAP
(Continued)

90. 2–90
Offensive Fire Operations
• Company members inside hazard zone must be
within contact with each other at all times through:
• Voice (talk)
• Vision (see)
• Physical (touch)
(Continued)

91. 2–91
Offensive Fire Operations
• Companies must have at least one portable radio on
correct tactical channel
• After primary All Clear & Under Control are complete,
efforts must be focused on controlling loss

92. 2–92
Defensive Operations
• Based on:
 Determining boundaries of hazard zone
 Potential collapse zone
 Keeping companies out of these boundaries
• Highest priority on all defensive fires is firefighter
safety

93. 2–93
Minimizing Risks
• Work within the IAP/No freelancing
• Adequately assess the situation & maintain situational
awareness
• Wear appropriate PPE
• Work together as a team
• Follow all departmental SOPs
(Continued)

94. 2–94
Minimizing Risks
• Maintain communications with team members &
Command
• Do a risk/benefit analysis for every action
• Employ safe & effective tactics
• Use a personnel accountability system
(Continued)

95. 2–95
Minimizing Risks
• Have one or more RICs standing by
• Set up Rehab at fires or other incidents
• Use appropriate emergency escape techniques
• Maintain company discipline & team integrity
• Go to rehab as a team

96. 2–96
Highway Incident Guidelines
• Position fire apparatus to
block oncoming traffic
• Turn front wheels of blocking
apparatus away from
emergency
(Continued)

97. 2–97
Highway Incident Guidelines
• Set out traffic cones,
signs, or other devices
to detour traffic
• Turn off lights that
face opposing traffic
• Emergency
responders must
never walk with their
backs to the traffic
(Continued)

98. 2–98
Highway Incident Guidelines
• Wear reflective vests when PPE is not required
• Close at least one traffic lane next to incident
• Move apparatus not directly involved to the shoulder
or off roadway

99. 2–99
DISCUSSION QUESTION
What precautions have you noticed emergency
responders taking (or not taking) at vehicle accidents?

100. 2–100
Crowd Control
• Usually responsibility of police or security
• Sometimes performed by firefighters or emergency
responders
• IC is responsible for ensuring scene is secured &
managed
(Continued)

101. 2–101
Crowd Control
• Usually done by ISO
• Must be done at all emergencies
• Bystanders should be restrained from getting too
close
 People can be emotional
 Restrain relatives & friends

102. 2–102
Cordoning Off
• Maintain scene security by cordoning off
• No specific distance established for control zones
 Incident size
 Hazard involved
• Keep bystanders at a safe distance
• Control zones must be established at all emergency
scenes
(Continued)

103. 2–103
Cordoning Off

104. 2–104
Cordoning Off
• Can be done with rope,
barricades, or caution tape
• Boundary should be monitored

105. 2–105
Personnel Accountability System
• Every department must use
some system of accountability
that tracks personnel in the
hazard zone
• Used at all emergency scenes
(Continued)

106. 2–106
Personnel Accountability System
• Accountability is vital when there is:
 Sudden & unexpected change in fire behavior
 Structural collapse
• Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) is an
important method for accountability

107. 2–107
Personnel Accountability System
• PAR is a roll-call or report to the IC
• All FF’s are safe & accounted for
• PARs should be taken after:
 Changes at the scene
 Change of tactics
 Evacuations
 Building collapse

108. Personnel Accountability System
Passport & SCBA Tag System
• Tags collected by officer
• Tags attached to board
• Board is kept at entry point
• Tags are returned upon exit
of hazard zone
2–108

109. 2–109
Personnel Accountability System
• Lets IC know how many FFs are on scene & where
they are located
• Maintain team integrity
• Useful for sudden changes where FFs can become
trapped or lost

110. 2–110
Interior Operations Techniques
• Scan the outside of the building before entry
• Wear full PPE including SCBA
• Take appropriate tools & equipment
• Maintain team integrity
(Continued)

111. 2–111
Interior Operations Techniques
• Remain in radio contact
• Take a hoseline or tag line
• Pay attention to surroundings
(Continued)

112. 2–112
Interior Operations Techniques
Increase chances for survival
• Situational awareness
 Maintaining awareness of your surroundings
• Know protocol for Mayday

113. 2–113
Emergency Escape
• Involves breaking through
doors, windows, or walls to
escape life-threatening
situations
(Continued)

114. 2–114
Emergency Escape
• Situations can occur when:
 Sudden & unexpected change in fire behavior
 Structural collapse
• May also be necessary if a FF becomes lost or
disoriented & is in danger of running out of air

115. 2–115
Rapid Intervention
• NFPA standards state that whenever FFs are in an
IDLH atmosphere:
• IDLH: Any atmosphere that poses an immediate
hazard to life or health
• Must work in teams of two or more
• At least two fully trained & equipped FFs must be
outside
(Continued)

116. 2–116
Rapid Intervention
• Outside team must be ready
at a moment’s notice
• Known as the “two-in/two-
out” rule
• RIC members may be
assigned other duties but
must be able to fulfill primary
function
(Continued)

117. 2–117
Summary
• FFs are sometimes put at some risk during training &
emergency operations
• It is the FFs’ responsibility to maintain their physical &
mental readiness to handle these situations
(Continued)

118. 2–118
Summary
• During fires & other emergencies, FFs may be ordered
into inherently dangerous situations
• To protect themselves they must be aware of the
hazards & risks involved
(Continued)

119. 2–119
Summary
• FFs must always remember that along with their
department they are responsible for their own safety
• FFs must remember the most important of all FF
safety rules: Everyone looks out for everyone else