6742 Course Overview

1. Fire Department Incident Safety
Officer
Third Edition
Course Overview

2. Course Description
‣ This course will cover both national and Florida specific
information relating to an Incident Safety Officer.
Topics include: The Safety Officer’s Role; Safety
Concepts; Regulations, Codes, Laws, Standards and
Procedures; Designing an ISO System; Professional
Development; Reading Buildings, Smoke, Risk,
Hazardous Energy, and Firefighters; Triggers, Traps
and Working within ICS; Basic Approach to ISO Duties;
ISO at Structure Fires, Wildland Fires, Haz Mat
Incidents and Technical Rescues; and Post Incident
Responsibilities.

3. Chapter 1
‣ This chapter defines an incident safety officer and discusses the
history and current trends, as well as the need for and
responsibilities of the position.
Chapter Overview

4. Chapter 1
‣ Discuss the history of the fire department safety officer (pp 7-8).
‣ List the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards that pertain
to the incident safety officer (p 9).
‣ Cite current trends in firefighter injuries and fatalities (pp 8-11).
‣ Describe the relationship between empirical and image factors and the
need for an incident safety officer (pp 9-12).
‣ Define the roles of an incident safety officer at planned and unplanned
events (NFPA 5.2.1, p 12).
Learning Objective

5. Chapter 2
‣ This chapter discusses the operational safety triad, risk
management, and risk/benefit thinking.
Chapter Overview

6. Chapter 2
‣Describe the safety and health practices accepted by the risk-reduction industry
(NFPA 5.2.1, pp 17-26).
‣Identify management principles needed to promote safety in the response
environment (NFPA 5.2.1, pp 17-22).
‣List the three components of the safety triad for the operational environment (p
17).
‣Differentiate formal and informal processes as well as procedures and guidelines
(p 17).
‣List the qualities of a well-written procedure or guideline (p 19).
‣Discuss the external influences on safety equipment design and purchase (p 20).
‣List and discuss the three factors that contribute to a person’s ability to act safely
(p 22).
‣Define risk management (p 24).
‣Identify and explain the five steps of classic risk management (pp 24-26).
‣Describe the hierarchy of controls used to reduce accidents and injuries (NFPA
5.2.1, pp 25-26).
Learning Objective

7. Chapter 3
‣ This chapter discusses the reasons behind the rules, terminology
used, publications affecting the ISO, and the 16 firefighter life
safety initiatives.
Chapter Overview

8. Chapter 3
‣ Explain the motivation for the development of guiding publications (p 30).
‣ List the significant players and their roles in developing guiding
publications (pp 31-32).
‣ Define the differences between regulations, codes, laws, and guides (pp
31-33).
‣ State the technical and regulatory areas pertinent to emergency response
within the incident command system (NFPA 5.2.1, pp 33-34).
‣ List significant publications that can affect the incident safety officer (pp
33-34).
‣ Identify applicable legislation, regulations, codes, and standards that
identify levels of risk in fire department operations (NFPA 5.2.2, pp 33-
34).
Learning Objective

9. Chapter 4
‣ This chapter discusses the reasoning for preplanning responses,
automatic ISO responses, methods to ensure that an ISO arrives
on scene, and tools to help the ISO be effective on scene.
Chapter Overview

10. Chapter 4
‣Discuss the reasoning for preplanning the response of an incident
safety officer (ISO) (pp 40-42).
‣List six examples of when an automatic ISO response should take
place (pp 43-44).
‣List seven examples of when an incident commander should
automatically delegate the safety responsibility to an ISO (pp 44-45).
‣List and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using various
methods to ensure that an ISO arrives on scene (pp 45-47).
‣Discuss issues relating to the ISO’s authority, as defined by NFPA
standards (p 47).
‣List several tools that will help the ISO be effective on scene (pp 48-
49).
Learning Objective

11. Chapter 5
‣ This chapter discusses essential building construction concepts,
construction classifications, and knowledge of building
construction concepts that can help the ISO in predicting the
potential for building collapse.
Chapter Overview

12. Chapter 5
‣Describe the relationship of loads and load imposition in a building (p 58).
‣List the three types of forces created when loads are imposed on materials (p 58).
‣Describe the effect that fire has on building materials, loads, and forces (NFPA 5.3.3,
pp 58-61).
‣Define columns, beams, and connections (pp 61-63).
‣List and define the influences used for building construction classifications (p 64).
‣Define and list several types of hybrid buildings (p 67).
‣State the structural collapse hazards of common building construction classifications
(NFPA 5.3.3., pp 65-69, 71-73)
‣List, in order, the five-step analytical approach to predicting building collapse (p 70).
‣Describe the structural collapse indicators present at an incident scene (NFPA 5.3.3, pp
68, 71-73).
‣Describe the additional structural collapse indicators present after a collapse has
occurred (NFPA 5.3.3, p 74).
‣Identify the structural collapse issues that should be communicated to the rapid
intervention crew by the incident safety officer (NFPA 5.3.2, p 74).
Learning Objective

13. Chapter 6
‣ This chapter discusses the concept of reading smoke, identifying
conditions leading to flashover, describing how fire behavior
affects firefighting efforts, and adjusting an incident action plan
based on assessment of fire behavior and fuel load characteristics.
Chapter Overview

14. Chapter 6
‣ Define smoke (pp 80-81).
‣ List the four attributes of smoke (p 80).
‣ Identify the fire behavior conditions (phases) that lead to flashover or
other hostile events (NFPA 5.3.4, pp 82-84).
‣ Define flow path and fuel load characteristics that affect the potential for
flashover or other hostile fire events (NFPA 5.3.4, pp 83-86).
‣ Describe how fire behavior affects firefighting efforts (NFPA 5.3.4, pp
84-86).
‣ Analyze the factors presented at an incident related to fire behavior and
fuel load/type to develop a proper incident action plan (NFPA 5.3.4, pp
80-90).
‣ Adjust an incident action plan based on assessment of fire behavior and
fuel load characteristics (NFPA 5.3.4, p 90).
Learning Objective

15. Chapter 7
‣ This chapter discusses the fact that firefighters recognize and
assume great risk in many situations on a daily basis, and that risk
must be balanced against potential rewards.
Chapter Overview

16. Chapter 7
‣Describe the differences between dangerous and risky (p 95).
‣List the risk management principles outlined in NFPA standards (p 96).
‣Describe the risk management principle that would cause a threat to
be imminent to firefighter survival(NFPA 5.2.4, p 96).
‣Define the risk management criteria that are relative to an incident
action plan (NFPA 5.2.2, pp 97-100).
‣Define situational awareness (p 98).
‣List the factors that reduce situational awareness (pp 98-99).
‣List the three levels of survivability that can be assigned to a given
space at an incident (p 100).
‣Describe the three-step process to read risk at an incident (pp 99-
100).
Learning Objective

17. Chapter 8
‣ This chapter discusses potential hazardous energy sources and
identifies methods to communicate the presence or absence of
potential energy sources, as well as listing forms of alternative
energy and their associated hazards.
Chapter Overview

18. Chapter 8
‣ Describe potential hazardous energy sources that could be present at an incident
(NFPA 5.2.13, pp 104-117).
‣ Identify the methods used to determine the presence of potential hazardous energy
sources (NFPA 5.2.13, pp 105-106, 111, 113, 115).
‣ State the methods used to communicate the presence or absence of potential
hazardous energy sources (NFPA 5.2.13, pp 106, 117).
‣ Describe the methods used to establish and mark hazard zones necessary to protect
members from potential hazardous energy sources (NFPA 5.2.7, NFPA 5.2.13, pp 106,
117-118).
‣ Identify the major components of an electrical grid system (pp 106-107).
‣ List forms of alternative energy and their associated hazards (pp 109-110).
‣ List the chemical properties of common utility gases (p 111).
‣ List the hazards associated with utility water and storm sewer systems (pp 108-111).
‣ Describe examples of mechanical hazardous energy (p 112).
‣ List the hazardous energy sources in vehicles (p 113).
‣ Discuss weather as hazardous energy and list the warning signs that extreme weather
is approaching (pp 114-116).
Learning Objective

19. Chapter 9
‣ This chapter discusses factors that influence the chance of
overexertion; ergonomic stressors; and signs and symptoms of
cardiac, heat, and cold stress, as well as defining the conditions or
activities that determine the need for rehabilitation strategies at
an incident.
Chapter Overview

20. Chapter 9
‣List the three factors that influence the chance of overexertion (p 125).
‣List the three ergonomic stressors that can produce injury and the
three strategies to mitigate them (pp 125-126).
‣Describe the criteria used for heat and cold assessment of personnel at
an incident (NFPA 5.2.14, pp 127-129).
‣State the signs and symptoms of cardiac, heat, and cold stress (NFPA
5.2.14, pp 126-129).
‣List the essential ingredients that help human cells perform (p 129).
‣Explain the role of hydration in preventing injuries (pp 130-131).
‣Define the conditions or activities that determine the need for
rehabilitation strategies at an incident (NFPA 5.2.14, pp 133-136).
‣Define the five elements that make up firefighter REHAB (p 134).
Learning Objective

21. Chapter 10
‣ This chapter discusses the ideologies that reinforce safe behaviors,
as well as communicating clearly about potential hazards, hazard
control zones, and actions taken.
Chapter Overview

22. Chapter 10
‣ List four options that can help the incident safety officer (ISO) trigger safe behaviors
(p 146).
‣ Identify imminent threats to firefighter safety (NFPA 5.2.4, p 148).
‣ List the three ISO “traps” and discuss how each can render the ISO ineffective (pp
149-151).
‣ Describe elements of an incident command structure and the position of the ISO
(NFPA 5.2.1, p 151).
‣ Identify the components of an incident action plan (IAP) (NFPA 5.2.1, pp 154-155).
‣ Describe the components of an IAP that the ISO should monitor (NFPA 5.2.2, pp 154-
155).
‣ Describe methods used by the ISO to alter, terminate, or suspend activities or
operations identified as hazardous (NFPA 5.2.2, pp 147-148).
‣ Describe how an incident commander would be notified by the ISO of any actions
taken to alter the IAP or activities during an operation or planned event (NFPA 5.2.2,
NFPA 5.2.4, pp 151-152).
‣ Describe the radio transmissions that are monitored to indicate communication barriers
or incident hazards (NFPA 5.2.9, pp 152-153).
Learning Objective

23. Chapter 10 Cont.
‣ Describe the types of incidents at which additional ISOs or
technical specialists are required due to corresponding hazards of
the incident type (NFPA 5.2.10, pp 156-158).
‣ Define the process for making recommendations to an incident
commander to request additional ISOs or a technical specialist
(NFPA 5.2.10, p 155).
‣ Describe the reasons that the duties of an ISO would be
transferred from one individual to another (NFPA 5.2.3, p 156).
‣ Define the information required during a transfer of ISO duties
(NFPA 5.2.3, p 156).
Learning Objective

24. Chapter 11
‣ This chapter discusses several methods or approaches that help
the ISO address all required functions that can be applied to many
different types of incidents.
Chapter Overview

25. Chapter 11
‣ Describe the four steps that help an incident safety officer (ISO) become integrated into an incident (pp
167-168).
‣ Define the roles of an ISO at planned and unplanned events (NFPA 5.2.1, pp 165-167).
‣ List the five ISO general duties applicable to all incident types (p 165).
‣ Describe the incident scene conditions that are monitored as part of an ongoing incident (NFPA 5.2.5, p
166).
‣ List the components that make up a firefighter safety system (pp 169-171).
‣ Describe the risk management criteria that would cause a threat to be imminent to firefighter survival
(NFPA 5.2.4, p 138).
‣ Describe methods used to ensure member accountability at an incident scene (NFPA 5.2.6, pp 169-170).
‣ Identify the consequences and hazards that the lack of accountability at an incident scene could create
(NFPA 5.2.6, pp 169-170).
‣ Identify hazardous incident conditions that would require the establishment of a hazard control zone
(NFPA 5.2.7, p 171).
‣ Describe how hazard control zones can be identified and communicated at an incident scene (NFPA
5.2.7, p 171).
‣ Describe how entry into the hazard zone area can be controlled (NFPA 5.2.7, p 171).
Learning Objective

26. Chapter 12
‣ This chapter looks at the role of the incident safety officer (ISO) at
specific types of incidents. This chapter also discusses the
consequences and hazards that the lack of accountability at an
incident scene could create, along with identifying environmental
and operational conditions present at an incident that assist in
evaluating the capability of a rapid intervention crew (RIC).
Chapter Overview

27. Chapter 12
‣ Discuss the relationship of risk-taking to incident benchmarks (pp 179-180).
‣ Name the three communication ingredients for an effective personnel accountability report
(PAR) (pp 180-181).
‣ Describe the actions to be taken if a member is not accounted for at an incident scene
(NFPA 5.2.6, p 181).
‣ Identify the consequences and hazards that the lack of accountability at an incident scene
could create (NFPA 5.2.6, p 181).
‣ Identify imminent threats to firefighter safety NFPA 5.2.6, p 181).
‣ Classify types of imminent hazards into major categories (NFPA 5.2.4, p 175).
‣ Describe the incident scene conditions that are monitored as part of an ongoing incident
(NFPA 5.2.5, pp 179-180).
‣ Describe the types of incidents at which additional ISOs or technical specialists are required
due to corresponding hazards of the incident type (NFPA 5.2.10, p 183).
‣ Describe how fire behavior affects firefighting efforts (NFPA 5.3.4, pp 178-179).
‣ Describe the characteristics of suitable entry and egress options at building fires (NFPA
5.3.6, pp 176-178).
‣ Describe what is meant by “rescue profile” (p 179).
Learning Objective

28. Chapter 12 Cont.
‣ Identify the environmental and operational conditions present at an incident that assist in
evaluating the capability of a rapid intervention crew (RIC) (NFPA 5.3.1, pp 182-183).
‣ Describe the standards or organizational standard operating procedures/guidelines (SOPs/SOGs)
that would require the use of a RIC at an incident or planned event (NFPA 5.3.1, pp 182-183).
‣ Identify factors that would require the capabilities of a RIC to be increased (NFPA 5.3.1, p 183).
‣ Describe how the need for additional RIC capability is communicated to the IC (NFPA 5.3.1, p
183).
‣ Identify fire behavior issues that should be communicated to the RIC by the ISO (NFPA 5.3.2, p
183).
‣ Identify building access and egress issues that should be communicated to the RIC by the ISO
(NFPA 5.3.2, p 183).
‣ Identify the structural collapse issues that should be communicated to the RIC by the ISO (NFPA
5.3.2, p 183).
‣ Identify the hazardous energy issues that should be communicated to the RIC by the ISO (NFPA
5.3.2, p 183).
‣ List several unique hazards at strip mall structure fires (p 184).
‣ List four ISO functions and six assistant safety officer (ASO) functions at high-rise fires (pp 184-
185).
Learning Objective

29. Chapter 13
‣ This chapter discusses the wildland fire terminology relevant to
fire growth and behavior, fire growth and blowup factors in
wildland and cultivated vegetation fires, and the six situations that
may require the appointment of an assistant safety officer at the
wildland fire.
Chapter Overview

30. Chapter 13
‣ Identify actions or operations that will be altered, terminated, or suspended to
protect members’ health safety if identified by the ISO (NFPA 5.2.2, pp 195-
196).
‣ Identify imminent threats to firefighter safety (NFPA 5.2.4, pp 193-194).
‣ Classify types of imminent hazards into major categories (NFPA 5.2.4, pp 192-
193).
‣ Describe the incident scene conditions that are monitored as part of an
ongoing incident (NFPA 5.2.5, pp 193-196).
‣ Define the wildland fire terminology relevant to fire growth and behavior (NFPA
5.3.5, pp 192-193).
‣ Describe fire growth and blowup factors in wildland and cultivated vegetation
fires (NFPA 5.3.5, pp 192-193).
‣ List six situations that may require the appointment of an assistant safety
officer at the wildland fire (p 197).
‣ Define LCES (p 195).
Learning Objective

31. Chapter 14
‣ This chapter discusses the general duties of the ISO, followed by
unique considerations for hazmat incidents, and it is assumed that
an ISO is in an overhead role and an ASO-HM is assigned for
technician-level components.
Chapter Overview

32. Chapter 14
‣ Define the reporting structure for an assistant safety officer–hazmat at a
hazardous materials (hazmat) technician-level incident (p 205).
‣ Identify imminent threats to firefighter safety (NFPA 5.2.4, pp 206, 208, 212).
‣ Describe the incident scene conditions that are monitored as part of an
ongoing incident (NFPA 5.2.5, pp 206-208).
‣ Describe the types of incidents at which additional ISOs or technical specialists
are required due to corresponding hazards of the incident type (NFPA 5.2.10,
pp 209-211).
‣ Define the process for making recommendations to an incident commander to
request additional ISOs or a technical specialist (NFPA 5.2.10, pp 210-211).
‣ Identify the types of hazmat incidents that would require the assignment of an
ISO or assistant ISO trained as a hazmat technician (NFPA 5.5.1, pp 205-206).
‣ Identify the standards and regulations that would require the assignment of an
ISO or assistant ISO trained for a hazmat incident (NFPA 5.5.1, p 205).
Learning Objective

33. Chapter 14 Cont.
‣ Describe the elements of an incident action plan (IAP) related to safety plan
development at a hazmat incident (NFPA 5.5.2, pp 208, 211).
‣ Describe the elements of a hazmat safety briefing that are based on an IAP (NFPA
5.5.3, p 211).
‣ Describe risk management principles used in the safety component of an IAP to
identify corrective or preventive actions at a hazmat incident (NFPA 5.5.2, pp 208-
209).
‣ Describe the strategies used to establish the necessary hazmat control zones (NFPA
5.5.4, pp 209-210).
‣ Describe the methods used to identify and communicate the various types of hazmat
control zones to personnel operating at the incident (NFPA 5.5.4, pp 209-210).
‣ Describe the factors that would cause an ISO to adjust established control zones
(NFPA 5.5.4, p 209).
‣ List five or more hazards that may be encountered at a clandestine drug lab incident
(pp 211-212).
‣ List and describe the three strategic goals for the safety section at a weapons-of-
mass-destruction or terrorist incident (p 212).
Learning Objective

34. Chapter 15
‣ This chapter discusses specific ISO/ASO-RT challenges that need
to be considered in performing the assigned safety functions at
the technical rescue incident.
Chapter Overview

35. Chapter 15
‣ Identify imminent threats to firefighter safety (NFPA 5.3.4, pp 218-227).
‣ Describe the incident scene conditions that are monitored as part of an ongoing incident
(NFPA 5.3.5, pp 220-227).
‣ Describe motor vehicle hazards present at an incident scene (NFPA 5.2.8, pp 226-227).
‣ Identify methods of temporary traffic control used to mitigate hazards (NFPA 5.2.8, pp 226-
227).
‣ Describe the types of incidents at which additional ISOs or technical specialists are required
due to corresponding hazards of the incident type (NFPA 5.2.10, pp 217-218).
‣ Define the process for making recommendations to an incident commander to request
additional ISOs or a technical specialist (NFPA 5.2.10, p 218).
‣ Identify the hazards presented at a designated helicopter landing zone (NFPA 5.2.11, p 220).
‣ Describe the helicopter landing zone requirements at an emergency incident (NFPA 5.2.11,
pp 220-221).
‣ Identify the types of technical rescue incidents that would require the assignment of an ISO
or assistant ISO trained as a rescue technician (NFPA 5.4.1, pp 218-222).
‣ Identify the standards and regulations that would require the assignment of an ISO or
assistant ISO trained for a technical rescue incident (NFPA 5.4.1, p 217).
Learning Objective

36. Chapter 15 Cont.
‣ Describe the qualifications of individuals assigned as the ISO at a technical rescue incident (NFPA
5.4.1, pp 217-218).
‣ Describe the elements of an incident action plan (IAP) related to safety plan development and
safety briefings at a technical rescue incident (NFPA 5.4.2, NFPA 5.4.3, pp 218, 223-224).
‣ Describe risk management principles used in the safety component of an IAP to identify corrective
or preventive actions at a technical rescue incident (NFPA 5.4.2, pp 218-219).
‣ Define the elements of a technical rescue IAP that the ISO would be responsible for reviewing
(NFPA 5.4.2, p 218).
‣ List the three rehab issues that require special attention at technical rescue incidents, and
describe the “on-deck” system for crew rotation (pp 219-220).
‣ Name the four ways to classify a building collapse (p 221).
‣ List five hazards associated with industrial entrapments (p 223).
‣ Define LCES and how it can be used at a cave-in incident (p 223).
‣ List six hazards associated with water rescues (p 224).
‣ List five hazards associated with high-angle rescues (p 225).
‣ Name five circumstances in which a duty ISO should implement a discretionary response to motor
vehicle accidents and diagram a strategic approach to protect rescuers at roadway incidents (pp
226-227).
Learning Objective

37. Chapter 16
‣ This chapter discusses the responsibilities and duties of the ISO
for postincident activities, PIAs, atypical events, and accident
investigations.
Chapter Overview

38. Chapter 16
‣ Describe the elements of a postincident analysis (PIA) related to the
ISO’s perspective of an incident (NFPA 5.7.1, pp 234-236).
‣ Identify the standards that require a PIA (NFPA 5.7.1, p 233).
‣ Define the goals of a PIA (NFPA 5.7.1, p 233).
‣ Describe how concerns and recommendations are identified and
communicated as a result of a PIA (NFPA 5.7.2, p 234).
‣ Describe the elements of a safety investigation process (NFPA 5.6.1, p
238-240).
‣ Identify the types of incidents that should be investigated (NFPA 5.6.1, p
238).
‣ Describe situations that would create a conflict of interest during an
investigation (NFPA 5.1.2, p 237).
‣ Identify the documentation process used during a safety investigation
(NFPA 5.6.1, pp 238-240).
Learning Objective

39. Chapter 16 Cont.
‣ Describe the data needed to conduct a safety investigation (NFPA 5.6.1, p 238).
‣ Identify the information needed from incident witnesses (NFPA 5.6.1, p 239).
‣ Describe the witness interview techniques used to gather information regarding an
incident (NFPA 5.6.1, p 239).
‣ Determine what equipment or information would be considered evidence used to
determine cause of injury, death, or property damage (NFPA 5.6.1, p 239).
‣ Identify the goal of a safety investigation (NFPA 5.6.1, pp 236, 240).
‣ Describe the relationship between the ISO and the health and safety officer (HSO)
during the investigative process (NFPA 5.6.1, p 236).
‣ Describe the types of incidents that may create atypical stress exposure to emergency
responders (NFPA 5.2.1.12, p 241).
‣ Identify the signs and symptoms of exposure to occupational stress (NFPA 5.2.12, p
241).
‣ Describe the characteristics of an incident debriefing (NFPA 5.2.12, p 242).
‣ Describe the characteristics of an incident defusing (NFPA 5.2.12, p 242).
‣ Identify the types of resources available to responders who are exposed to
occupational stress (NFPA 5.2.12, p 242).
Learning Objective

40. Chapter 17
‣ This chapter discusses the responsibilities of the incident safety
officer (ISO) at fire department training activities, such as drills
and live-fire events.
Chapter Overview

41. Chapter 17
‣ List four safety-minded values that should be present for training drills (p 248).
‣ List four nonincident events that can benefit from the assignment of a separate, dedicated
safety officer (p 248).
‣ Describe the preevent planning issues that a safety officer should cover with an instructor-in-
charge (p 249).
‣ Define shadowing and describe how it is part of a three-step approach to new ISO training
(pp 249-250).
‣ List the three training/exercise steps that should take place prior to a full-scale drill for non-
fire-agency participants (p 250).
‣ List at least seven items that should be included in a safety officer–prepared, predrill written
safety briefing (p 250).
‣ Describe the pros and cons of a no-notice drill, and list several guidelines that can be
established to make a no-notice drill safer (pp 253-254).
‣ Identify the steps that can be taken to reduce liabilities associated with live-fire firefighter
training events (pp 254-255).
‣ Define the instructor ratios and assignments that are mandated for live-fire training events
(pp 255, 259).
‣ Describe the makeup of a live-fire training safety team (pp 259-260).
Learning Objective