| Editor’s note: The recommended focus of this year’s Safety, Health and Survival Week will incorporate three key areas where standard operating procedures, policies and initiatives — along with the training and enforcement that support them — can limit fire and EMS personnel’s risk of injury or death. The IAFC/IAFF has put together the following tips for departments that focus on NFPA 1500, vehicle safety and health and wellness. |
NFPA 1500 sets the minimum safety guidelines for personnel involved in rescue, fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous-materials operations and special operations. The standard is designed to help prevent and reduce the severity of accidents, injuries and exposures.
Specifically, the standard addresses:
- The organization of a safety and health program
- The training requirements of personnel, maintenance and operational requirements of vehicles and equipment
- Protective-clothing requirements
- Emergency operations management
- Medical and physical requirements of firefighters
- Wellness programs
For designing a safety and health support system, NFPA 1500’s requirements include:
- Composing a written risk management plan and policy on safety and health
- Ensuring guidelines are met for managing emergency operations
- Providing suitable clothing and equipment to protect against all types of hazards and emergency situations
- Establishing a safety and health committee, with a designated health and safety officer
- Establishing safety and health training programs
- Providing apparatus safety guidelines
- Providing regular maintenance and inspection of fire department vehicles
- Providing wellness, medical and fitness programs
Fully Implement the IAFF/IAFC Wellness-Fitness Initiative
The Wellness-Fitness Initiative, developed by the joint IAFF/IAFC Wellness-Fitness Task Force, is a comprehensive, holistic, nonpunitive program that includes fitness evaluation, medical evaluation, rehabilitation, behavioral health and data collection. Two other programs developed by the task force are also components of the WFI:
The Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) was developed as a fair and valid evaluation tool to assist in the selection of fire fighters and to ensure that all candidates possess the physical ability to complete critical tasks effectively and safely.
The Peer Fitness Trainer (PFT) program was created so interested fire department personnel could obtain certification in fitness-program design and implementation in order to help their peers with their fitness programs on a one-on-one basis and to help with the physical training of recruits.Initiate an Emergency Vehicle Policy
Always buckle up
With 12 firefighters losing their lives in 2007 in motor vehicle crashes because they weren’t wearing seat belts, it’s imperative that the fire and emergency service continues to focus on seat belt safety. This year, the IAFC and the IAFF are strongly encouraging all fire departments and members to review their mandatory seat belt policy, or establish such a policy if one doesn’t exist, during Safety Health and Survival Week (also visit http://www.trainingdivision.com/seatbeltpledge.asp information about taking the National Seat Belt Pledge). Fire departments, fire officers and fire fighters must establish a long-term commitment to vehicle safety and the safety of department members.
Always stop at red lights and stop signs
Intersections are one of the most dangerous areas a fire apparatus can be at any time. The vehicle should always come to a full stop before entering any negative right-of way intersection—those with traffic lights, flashing lights or stop/yield signs, blind intersections and any intersection where hazards are present or where the driver and company officer cannot account for all oncoming traffic lanes. This policy has been a requirement of NFPA 1500 for over 20 years and has been adopted by a large number of fire departments. Again, the IAFC and the IAFF are strongly encouraging all fire departments and members to review their mandatory policy on stopping at intersections, or establish such a policy if one doesn’t exist, during Safety Health and Survival Week.
Always drive at speed limits and defensively
Fire-apparatus drivers should never exceed the posted or locally established speed limit. We encourage you to use Safety, Health and Survival Week to review or establish internal policies in your department to ensure that they reflect the law and this position.