Here’s today’s Safety Week tip:
Size-Up Your Tactical Area of Operation
NIOSH investigation of firefighter fatalities has regularly identified lack of a complete 360-degree fireground assessment by the incident commander as a frequently cited contributing factor in firefighter deaths.
As part of the size-up, it’s important that the first company officer, or team leader, view each side of the fireground and provide an early progress report to the incident commander. If significant risks are identified, or other important information is observed that will affect safety or the action plan in the operational area, that information must be communicated to the incident commander or other supervising command officer.
Sometimes the firefighters “gut” is also a good indicator of an impending threat. If the size-up looks unsafe, “feels” unsafe, DON’T DO IT! Any firefighter is authorized to communicate a safety concern up, down and across the command organization to have the situation further evaluated.
For more on Safety Week, including ideas for how your company/department can participate, visit: www.SafetyandHealthWeek.org.
