THE ROLE OF THE SAFETY OFFICER
The health, safety, and welfare of its firefighters is the primary concern of every fire department. In order to provide an adequate and effective safety and health program for its members, a department must develop, implement, and incorporate such a program into its daily management routine. For a safety and health program to be continuously effective, it must be managed competently by the fire department safety officer.
What are the minimum qualifications for a safety officer? What are the daily responsibilities and duties of this individual? National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1521, Standard for a Fire Department Safety Officer, provides part of the answer. But in addition to complying with NFPA 1521, each department must define its own criteria for the position of safety officer.
The position of department safety officer can be filled on a full-time or part-time basis, depending on the department’s needs. A large department may need several members assigned to a safety division under the direction of a single safety officer Other departments may require a safety officer who works a day shift in addition to a safety officer assigned to each suppression shift. A department should assign individuals to specific areas based on their expertise or knowledge.
The job description for the position of safety officer with the rank of captain (specific to our department) was added to the Virginia Beach (VA) Fire Department after the Department of Human Resources approved minimum criteria for the position. Keep in mind that these are specific requirements for one department. They may or may not meet the needs of another department. For example, a department that provides both fire and rescue services should provide for a separate infection control officer in addition to a safety officer. Also, depending on a department’s size and structure, the safety officer may have to be of the rank of battalion chief or above.
The fire department safety officer is responsible for the management of the safety and health program. This position requires a significant degree of written and verbal communication skills, the ability to interact with industry professionals and government officials, an understanding of safety management principles and practices, and a knowledge of safety standards and regulations relative to the fire service. The member, who has a 40hour workweek, is assigned to the fire chiefs staff; he/she may have to respond as needed during off-duty hours. This position is based on compliance with the most current edition ofNFPA 1521.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The safety officer must possess a high school diploma or GED certificate and must have graduated from Tidewater Regional Fire Academy (TRFA) certified as a state level II firefighter, driver/operator, and state emergency medical technician/D. Other certifications to be maintained are state fire officer I and instructor II. The safety officer must have successfully completed the Fire Department Officer Candidate School.
He or she must be classified as fit for duty by Occupational Health as required by the current edition of NFFA 1582. Standard for Medical Requirements for Fire Fighters, must pass the department’s annual physical fitness test, and must possess a valid driver’s license from the state in which he or she resides. His or her conduct and character must meet the level expected of public safety personnel as outlined in the City of Virginia Beach Code of Ethics, and he or she must have four consecutive years of experience as a paid firefighter with the fire department.
PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES
Accident and injury analysis. Reviews all accident and injury reports for accuracy and completeness. Compiles accident/injury statistics on a monthly basis for staff officers plus an annual comprehensive report for the fire chief. Provides statistical data for department, city, state, and national organizations. The accident and injury analysis is imperative, as it is a means of determining how the safety program is doing and what, if any, adjustments are needed.
Accident and injury investigations. Conducts investigations in conjunction with investigation experts relating to vehicular accidents, serious personnel injuries, and fatalities. Submits a detailed report to the deputy chief as to the cause of the accident/injury, determines preventability and needed changes to department operating procedures.
This program is important, as it allows the safety officer to determine what happened, why it happened, and how it can be prevented from happening again. It is important to learn from our mistakes.
City safety liaison. Interacts with the city safety office to ensure department safety issues are addressed. Ongoing safety issues include asbestos abatement and monitoring, bloodborne pathogens (infection control), hazard communication, hearing conservation. and OSHA accident/injury reporting.
Interacts with the division of risk management regarding accident reports and workers’ compensation claims. Any liability situations affecting the department will require informational input from the safety officer.
Serves as an ex-officio member of the department’s Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) committee, which mandates attendance and participation in this program. Supplies information and provides assistance to the OSH committee on an as-needed basis.
These agencies have a great influence on the operation of the fire department. Good relations with these agencies are imperative.
Hazard communication. Responsible for the department’s compliance with VOSHA Standard 1910.1200, Hazard Communication. Provides necessary training programs as needed. Continually evaluates the program regarding compliance, employee knowledge, submission and compiling of material safety data sheets (MSDSs), marking and labeling of containers, and contact with manufacturers. if necessary. This is a mandatory requirement that has become even more important with the implementation of 1910.1030, Bloodborne Pathogens.
Health maintenance program. Responsible for the department’s monthly medical examinations and medical evaluations at Occupational Health. Interacts with the city physician on members’ health problems relating to communicable diseases, medical fitness of full-duty and lightduty personnel, and any other situation that requires medical evaluations of department members.
The health and welfare of department personnel are vital to the department. A healthy workforce will reduce the number and severity of injuries, lost work time, and sick time usage.
Incident scene safety. As required by department policy, the safety officer is a vital part of the incident management process as it relates to firefighter safety. The safety officer has the authority from the department’s chief to immediately suspend any operation that jeopardizes the safety of department personnel. The safety officer shall ensure that the health and welfare of department personnel are maintained through rehabilitation at the incident scene, especially during extended emergency operations. Incident scene safety performance includes the monitoring of structure/container stability, proper and mandatory use of protective clothing and equipment by department personnel, accountability of personnel, rehabilitation of personnel, addressing any safety concerns of the incident commander, and investigating damage to department equipment or injuries to department personnel at the scene.
Statistics show that the incident scene continues to generate more firefighter injuries and deaths than any other location. Our efforts need to be directed toward reversing this trend.
Infection control officer. Is responsible for department compliance with the VOSHA Standard 1910.1030. Bloodborne Pathogens, and NFPA 1581. Fire Department Infection Control Program. Primary responsibilities include training and education. hepatitis B vaccination, personal protective equipment, record keeping, exposure control procedures and health maintenance, cleaning and decontamination procedures, facility safety issues, and program management. Serves as department liaison to determine if medical treatment will be needed if a significant risk of exposure is determined, or a real exposure has occurred. Ensures that the proper documentation of health exposure is submitted by affected personnel. Serves as the department’s liaison to the infection-control TQM team. Reviews and makes necessary changes to the department’s and city’s infection-control policies on an annual basis.
This is another mandatory requirement that ensures the safety and health of department personnel.
Temporary duty program. Responsible for supervising personnel assigned to light duty due to onand offthe-job injuries and illnesses. Makes a determination of assignment to light duty of personnel for job and nonjobrelated injuries and illnesses. Ensures light-duty assignments do not conflict with the attending physician’s orders, causing further aggravation or injury. Maintains adequate records to ensure compliance with the city policy governing light-duty assignments. Serves as a liaison to risk management, Occupational Health, and any other parties involved with this process.
This role is a means of maintaining the productivity of fire department personnel who suffer job-related and nonjob-related injuries and illnesses.
Company inspections. Accountable for the program management of this process, which involves the inspection of each shift at each station over an 18-month period. Coordinates the scheduling of these inspections with the shift division chief and the respective battalion chief. The process involves the inspection of personnel protective clothing and equipment, station facilities, all department vehicles and apparatus assigned to the stations, record-keeping requirements of the company officers, driving evaluations, hydrant maintenance programs, and proficiency testing. A detailed report stating the results of the inspection is submitted to the deputy chief, each division chief, the battalion chief, and the company officer.
This program allows for a review of engine/ladder company operations to ensure compliance with department standards.
Research and development. As an essential part of firefighter safety, the equipment and protective clothing used by department personnel must be state-of-the-art, meeting all safety requirements. This includes fire apparatus, protective clothing, protective equipment, and other equipment that affects the safety of department personnel. Supervises testing of trial clothing and equipment and is responsible for accumulating feedback for formal evaluations and recommendations. Develops bid specifications for safety-related items when appropriate. Responsible for evaluating compliance of clothing and equipment with state and national laws and standards. Maintains involvement in local, state, and national organizations, such as the National Eire Protection Association (NEPA), to ensure the department stays current with industry trends. The safety officer is responsible for determining if present equipment and clothing used by personnel are safe and can remove any defective clothing and/or equipment from service until it is replaced or tested.
This process allows for a means of evaluating new products and equipment that can enhance department operations.
Standard operating procedures. Responsible for the development and maintenance of the department’s standard operating procedures relating to this assignment. Standard operating procedures shall be reviewed and updated annually.
This review process allows that procedures are not outdated, do not conflict with each other, and are being understood and used.
Training and education. Delivers safety training and educational programs to career and volunteer recruits and department personnel during station or company/officer in-service training. Mandatory training includes such issues as infection control, hazards communication, hearing conservation, respiratory protection, and any other standards that affect department operations.
All personnel within the department must be trained and educated in existing and new safety and health procedures.
Vehicle and building maintenance. Supervises the department’s vehicle and building maintenance programs on a daily basis, ensuring compliance with department and city policies. The intent of the vehicle maintenance program is to sustain an operating fleet utilizing an aggressive preventive maintenance program. The vehicle maintenance program will maintain individual reports on each department vehicle to track maintenance costs and repairs. The building maintenance program ensures ail department facilities are adequately maintained relating to all applicable health, safety, fire, and building codes. Reviews all specifications (apparatus and building) to ensure safety compliance.
This process allows the safety officer to ensure compliance of existing department buildings as well as new ones. As fire apparatus is purchased, it must comply with the necessary regulations. An effective preventive maintenance program is imperative to the operation of apparatus and equipment.
A fire department safety officer is imperative to the safety and health of department members. Industry has shown us that aggressive safety and health programs result in fewer accidents and injuries, which in turn leads to a reduction in lost work time and workers’ compensation costs. Eire departments that utilize such programs experience the same results. A growing trend exists within the fire service to develop, implement, and manage a safety and health program utilizing a safety officer. Remember, safety is “good business.”
