Robert P. Avsec

Fire Officer Safety

Battalion Chief Robert Avsec (ret.) served with the Chesterfield (Virginia) Fire & EMS Department for 26 years. He was an instructor for fire, EMS and hazardous materials courses at the local, state and federal levels, which included more than 10 years with the National Fire Academy. Chief Avsec earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati and his master’s degree in executive fire service leadership from Grand Canyon University. He is a 2001 graduate of the National Fire Academy's EFO Program. Beyond his writing for FireRescue1.com and FireChief.com, Avsec authors the blog Talking "Shop" 4 Fire & EMS and has published his first book, "Successful Transformational Change in a Fire and EMS Department: How a Focused Team Created a Revenue Recovery Program in Six Months – From Scratch.” Connect with Avsec on LinkedIn or via email.

Full list of Robert P. Avsec results

How to increase firefighter PPE and SCBA compliance
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Fire officers can model PPE compliance by example and encourage individuals to understand the importance of proper use
Decon alley: 5 steps to doffing firefighter PPE before rehab
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Changing the way we approach on-scene firefighter rehab can help protect firefighters from exposure to carcinogens while removing their PPE
When to replace your firefighter turnout gear
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Chemical exposure, repeated cleaning and overall wear to firefighter turnout gear needs to be measured and tracked to know when it’s time to retire PPE
Choose firefighter lace-to-toe boots for safety and comfort
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Firefighters are selecting lace-to-toe boots to provide better support while fighting wildfires and structure fires
How company officers can keep firefighters safe at the big one
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A large-scale event will push everyone, company officers included, outside their comfort zone, but firefighter safety must remain a top priority
6 ways fire officers can prep for Ghost Ship-like fires
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While the large societal problems are daunting, company officers can play a role in preventing and mitigating disaster at unauthorized-use sites
Why firefighters should decon with towelettes
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Firefighters are especially vulnerable to cancer-causing contamination around the face and neck; there are several ways firefighters can clean that area on scene
Firefighter SCBA, PASS changes for NFPA 1981, 1982
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New rules governing SCBA and PASS features and testing requirements are set to roll out late this year
Firefighter safety is about survivability
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By pulling a page from the military's playbook, we can reduce firefighter injuries and deaths
5 ways fire officers can successfully lead older firefighters
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Young officers leading older firefighters face an uphill battle; here's a look at how to make that situation smoother for both officers and firefighters
What to do before a firefighter is hurt
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Not all firefighter injuries will be prevented; planning for the inevitable is key to dealing with a firefighter on-duty injury
Best undergarments to protect firefighter from burns
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Here's a comprehensive look at what to wear under your bunker gear and why
Making SCBA facepieces safer
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Additional testing required by the revised NFPA standard requires facepieces stand up to more heat
4 steps to better firefighter safety through fitness
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Directing firefighters to better health and fitness in the station will keep them safer on the fireground
Why fire safety officers need education, training
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It's easy to be lopsided in the training–education balance, here's that balance is critical
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