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North Dakota Firefighters Association
Thinking Incident Safety
I recently had the opportunity to visit and teach a PSEN program titled Thinking Incident Safety to members of the North Dakota Firefighters Association. It was a weekend two day class and I could not have had a more vibrant, challenging and knowledgeable audience. Many traveled long hours to be in this class. This program combines the experience and knowledge that an Incident Safety Officer should have and the philosophy contained in the Company Officer Role for Incident Safety produced by NFPA.
The rate of incident, accidents, and fireground fatality is not enjoying the benefit of a fairly consistent reduction like health, wellness and driving emergency vehicles. In many NIOSH reports the greatest risk to our members takes place within the first 20 minutes. A time when initial responders must make many similar decisions as an arriving Incident Commander or Incident Safety Officer. In many cases our initial responders arrive with limited staff, varied experiences and difficult decisions that need to be made. The program taught in North Dakota revolves around teams. What are they and do you actually have one? We talk about the importance of communication but have we mastered it? Is our team willing to make and execute difficult assignments because of how we train together.
Here is what Renee Loh, Executive Director of NFDA had to say ...
"Bob teaches firefighters how to improve safety on the fireground. He instructs that communication, observation, awareness and other components are the most important aspects at the fire hazard incident. Bob also teaches situational awareness, risk management, what is needed to control emergencies; the type of equipment, personnel, procedures and other materials are needed on the fireground. There is also the strategy component of recognizing strengths, weaknesses and opportunities that will work more effective on the fireground. Leadership attributes, the science that relates to fires, flow patterns, water application, and wind effects. The elephant in the room; what will it take to change and how do the firefighters do that to make it safer on the fireground for everyone? Bob has a discussion about who real leaders could be.
This is really a vital class for the North Dakota Fighters. The boom has really exploded with historic numbers of reported leaks, fires, hazmat spills and other incidents. Bob talks about building construction and why recognizing construction type and principal hazards are critical to the safety of the firefighters. This safety class will have a huge effect on the officers that attend. Bob is known throughout the nation and world for his approach to safety in the fire service!"
This program offers flexibility. It can be both a 1 day or 2 day delivery. If you would like to bring this to your organization please drop me a note.
bobc@publicsafetyedu.com
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