Chief Concerns
By Richard Marinucci

Safety Devices/Warnings Save Firefighters’ Lives
In today’s world, there are more safety devices and warnings on products than ever before. These have been in response to litigation and a strong desire to reduce risk and improve safety.

Some may border on the ridiculous, such as the warnings that hot coffee may actually be hot and can burn you. But, many are truly intended to protect the consumer and make sure the product is used the way it was intended.

Fire and emergency services are no different. If you buy a fire truck, there are many warnings, such as don’t ride the tailboard, wear your seat belt, be careful around power lines and the like. If appropriate, warning devices are provided.

Similarly, there are directions for the various pieces of equipment we purchase to put on the fire trucks. From self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to the various power tools carried, each comes with instructions and manufacturers’ recommendations. They describe how to operate and use the equipment, as well as telling us what not to do and what the limitations are.

With all this emphasis on safety and proper usage, one would think many – if not most – injuries could be prevented just by following the directions. Of course we know better than to think every firefighter will read the instructions.

Further, even those who read the manuals and warnings may choose to not follow the protocols because they think they know better or get complacent and neglect some of the basic safety rules.

As an example, think about the issue of seat belts. Every truck comes with the requirement that seat belts be worn. Based upon the injuries and deaths occurring every year due to crashes, one could conclude there are a lot of emergency responders who disregard manufacturers’ recommendations on seat belts, as well as department policies.

More Effort Needed
There’s nothing earth shattering in the comments above, but since deaths and injuries continue to occur because of failure to follow manufacturers’ recommendations and department policies, it appears more effort needs to be made so every safety device and recommendation is followed and used.

Firefighters, whether intentionally because they don’t agree with the suggested safety measure or through complacency, lack of training, or laziness, do not take full advantage of safety devices intended to protect them.

Organizations need to continually monitor their practices and do everything possible to create the safest environment possible for firefighters. This also requires some balance against the need to protect life. There are times when firefighters are asked to risk their lives for others because of the circumstances. Outside of these occasions, firefighters must protect themselves with everything available to them.

Read The Manuals
First and foremost, when new apparatus and equipment arrive, read the manuals paying special attention to the proper operating instructions and safety warnings.

It may not be possible for everyone to read the entire package. It is probably naïve to even think it might happen. Regardless, someone must. That person should then create a summary of the critical issues. A training program needs to be developed.

The appropriate person in your organization needs to review all the literature that comes with newly acquired apparatus and equipment. This needs to be relayed to every member of your department. It needs to be written, posted, and included in the necessary training and orientation. Don’t assume what you just bought is exactly the same as what it replaces. New and improved necessarily means something is different. Just take the time, do the reading, and do it right the first time.

Procedures are needed. They should be based upon the manufacturers’ recommendations and should emphasize the safety features. While it may seem abundantly obvious, the commander or training officer needs to clearly state that safety features and requirements listed by the manufacturer must not be disabled or disregarded. This all seems so simple – and maybe even unnecessary to state – but many in the fire service know that sometimes shortcuts are taken and safety issues are not fully considered.

Take, for example, the annoying buzzer that goes off when you don’t buckle up. Do your members disregard the noise or even disable the sound?

As with all policies, there will need to be follow-up. This involves communication and training with all affected employees.

Because of the incredible amount of information that needs to be passed on and the limited time to communicate and train, follow-up could be a challenge.

There’s also the danger that information may be overlooked or ignored due to the sheer volume of what needs to be communicated. You need to prioritize and emphasize the most critical bits of information that must be passed on to the firefighters. While you can hope all the members will understand the reasoning and want to protect themselves and their team, not everyone “gets it.” That’s why supervisors are needed.

Complacency and laziness contribute to unsafe acts being performed. Often, members know the right things to do, but for reasons unknown, chose not to do it. They didn’t purposefully decide to do something counter to safe practices to get injured. Most likely, they took a shortcut, maybe because of the need to act quickly to try to save a life, maybe due to a rush of adrenaline – or maybe because some bad habits developed over time.

The Odds Catch Up
Sometimes people can get lucky and not get hurt doing something they shouldn’t, but eventually the odds catch up. There needs to be a constant reminder to all firefighters to consider the safety issues. Use everything you have available – training, policies, postings, notes or whatever it takes to remind firefighters that they run the risk of getting hurt or killed.

Though it may not be attainable, the goal needs to be perfection with regard to safety.

There are many contributing factors to safe operation. One of those is the safety devices and warnings provided by the manufacturer. It is imperative that all members consider their value and operate accordingly.

This may take a change in culture and in training practices. It also requires the leaders to lead and the supervisors to supervise.

If you are truly working towards eliminating preventable injuries, this must be part of your plan!

Editor’s Note: Richard Marinucci is chief of the Farmington Hills (Mich.) Fire Department, a position he’s held since 1984. He is a past president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and past chairman of the Commission on Chief Fire Officer Designation. In 1999 he served as acting chief operating officer of the U.S. Fire Administration for seven months. He holds three bachelor’s degrees in fire science and administration and has taught extensively.