Risk Management
Risk management is the practice of keeping firefighters safe, well trained and out of trouble.
A 2024 review of Syracuse structure fire data reveals most vacant fire buildings had shut-off utilities, code violations, and unpaid taxes, yet weren’t on the city’s registry
Exploring what the survey data reveals about how fireground tactics are executed and how safety culture is perceived
Wearing proper gear and following strong radio communication protocols can significantly impact broader performance and safety
Chicago’s new fireground SOP is a reminder for departments to review command roles, operational readiness and compliance before a critical incident forces change
Chicago firefighters and city leaders are raising alarms over new guidelines requiring four-person engine crews to delay entry unless victims are visibly trapped
Lawyers for the city of Columbia said the Irmo Fire District “acted with malice in reckless disregard for the truth or falsity of the statements”
Tucson firefighters on the roof escaped injury after an explosion caused the roof to collapse
More than 3,600 San Diego buildings are overdue for fire inspections, with many lacking any inspection record at all
The high number of station fires highlights the need for alarms and sprinkler systems
Investigators faulted the Newark Fire Division for inadequate training, tactical errors and a decision to send firefighters into a hazardous cargo hold
In Troy, officials are working to remove Red X signs from marked buildings by investing in repairs rather than demolitions
Syracuse firefighters rushed into the former Sisters of St. Francis convent, battling flames on the fourth floor, but were forced to retreat just minutes before the roof began to collapse
Every fire department, regardless of size or whether they are a career or volunteer organization, needs both written policies and procedures
The fire service must heed relevant warnings to prepare for predictable major events and increase department resilience for the truly unpredictable events
A unique tie back by Wichita firefighters left several readers giving their thoughts on who should have done the work
Detailing the six components of this information-gathering strategy that increases situational awareness and reduces risk
Whether it’s conducted on the fly after an incident or as a formal sit-down, intentional after-action reviews serve to level-up training and spur discussion among members
Anchorage firefighters were on the scene in Spenard for two days extinguishing hot spots
It’s in the face of disaster that we come together as a community
FDNY Chief Kevin Woods said that the stability of the building was so bad that firefighters were ordered out and switched to an exterior attack
“I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody told me there were 20 to 30 people permanently residing in the building at that time,” West Metro District Chief Sean O’Hara said
The new lawsuit accuses the city of knowingly endangering firefighters by disbanding the Code X-Ray program designed to flag hazardous abandoned structures
The church in Bryan remains open as the pastor contests a civil case requiring costly upgrades, including fire sprinklers, to meet city regulations for overnight stays
Fire from the 164-year-old abandoned St. Louis church extended into four other abandoned structures
Effective policies — and effective training to reinforce them — can make or break an agency
Philadelphia’s roving fire unit aims to get warming fires from burning out of control
The USFA’s new branch chief for wildfire policy urges listeners who consider themselves to be “structure fire only” to adjust their mindset – and their tactics
Kansas City firefighters withdrew from the building and switched to defensive operations minutes before the roof collapsed
A judge ruled that the accusations as drafted did not support a reasonable inference that the fire department acted to harm the firefighters
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