Responder Safety
Measures to Reduce Firefighter Fatalities
[pic]
Firefighters over the years have been victims of nearly every possible mishap known to mankind. These incidents were direct results of their strenuous positions in protecting the public from harms way. Until recent years, fatalities were on the rise due to improper procedures, regulations, enforcement of regulations and the lack of laws that would help enforce the safety of emergency personnel. This paper will provide research that will identify the need for an on scene safety officer and ways to improve safety measures for responders while out on routine or emergency calls. With these safety measures in place, it will reducing the overall firefighter fatalities. In the last year from January 2009 to May 2009, the statistics show that forty (40) firefighters had been killed in the line of duty. Of the forty firefighter fatalities, the percentage related to emergency duty was 72.5 % which could have been reduced if appropriate safety measures were in place and enforced and backed up by public law. (www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/09_fatality_summary.pdf)
Firefighters have no reason to be fighting for their safety when responding to scenes or on-scene at an emergency incident on the roadways. Firefighters have numerous responsibilities while at the scene of an emergency, and the fact of adding their own safety into it only causes more work on the responder working the scene. Although the firefighter always has safety in mind, to be able to alleviate some of that worry and stress while on the scene would not only be helpful but it might also make a huge difference in the mindset of the firefighters.
At the scene of an emergency incident the responders must keep in the back of their mind that every precaution has been put into place to secure their safety while saving the lives of others. One way to ensure the safety of on scene firefighters is through an Incident...