1402 Hybrid Firefighter II6th Edition

Chapter 21 — Fire and Life Safety Initiatives

Private dwelling fire safety surveys are performed on a voluntary basis.

21–2

Can provide information on amount, kind of safety equipment in home

Not subject to same requirements of local codes

Survey – Indicate hazards, suggest corrective action

Treat as educational opportunity – Not enforcement

The fire survey is an opportunity to achieve several goals.

21–3

Look for common causes of

fires

Complete survey form,

provide copy to

occupant

Look for common causes of residential fires

Educate public

Recommend

actions for

eliminating

nonfire related hazards

Planning and public relations are also aspects of these surveys.

21–4

Advanced planning

• Required to gain full acceptance

Main

objectives

• Prevent accidental fires• Improve life safety conditions• Help understand, improve conditions

Benefits of surveys

• Citizens know, trust firefighters• Citizens feel department concerned about

welfare• Increased goodwill can translate into

budget support

These surveys offer several kinds of opportunities.

21–5

Promote education after

identifying hazards

Gain information through surveys

Use information gathered to

meet community needs, generate

specific messages

Post survey follow up or

notification of survey

Firefighters should take the survey seriously and use several guidelines.

21–6

Conduct surveys in teams of two or more

Dress, act professionally

Introduce yourself, your partner, provide proper identification

Explain survey procedure(Cont.)

Firefighters should take the survey seriously and use several guidelines.

21–7

Maintain courteous, businesslike attitude at all times

Focus on preventing fires, eliminating life safety hazards

Compliment occupants when favorable conditions are found

Offer constructive suggestions for correcting or eliminating hazardous conditions

(Cont.)

Firefighters should take the survey seriously and use several guidelines.

21–8

Ask to survey all rooms; including garage

If accessible, survey basement

Ask to survey attic if used for storage or contains heating or cooling unit, is accessible

Ask occupant to open any closed doors(Cont.)

Firefighters should take the survey seriously and use several guidelines.

21–9

Discuss survey results with owner/occupant, answer any questions

Thank owners or occupants for invitation into home

Leave behind educational materials appropriate for occupants

Keep results of survey confidential; do not share results with any outside entity

After the survey is completed, there are several actions to take.

21–10

Post survey

•Leave checklist•Give copy of recommendations•Follow SOPs to recommend repairs

Leave materials

•To indicate you tried to contact•Unstamped materials should not be placed in mailbox

Document

•Per local SOPs

There are several basic skills to use when presenting safety messages.

21–11

Audience-centered

Good development of ideas

Good organization of ideas

Best choice of words

Good delivery

skills

(Cont.)

There are several basic skills to use when presenting safety messages.

21–12

Good vocal characteris

tics

Conversational tone

Positive attitude

Appropriate use of humor

Personal style

Know your topic

Audiences will vary and are divided into several categories.

21–13

(Cont.)

Present the message

• Based on demographics• If more than one – Prepare for the

more challenging

Audiences will vary and are divided into several categories.

21–14

Age

Educational level

Cultural diversity

Socioeconomic

Physical ability

Fire and life safety messages need to meet certain criteria to be effective.

21–15

Accurate

•Use developed resources•Guidelines for answering questions

Positive•Remember positive rather than negative•Instruct what to do, not what not to do

Targeted•Based on several factors•Life changing events•Seasonal messages

You should use one of several patterns to organize your message to help make it understandable.

21–16

Known-to-

unknown

Simple-to-

complex

Whole-

part-whol

e

Step-by-step

Presenting to young children requires addressing specific considerations.

21–17

(Cont.)

Classroom considerations

Presenting to young children requires addressing specific considerations.

21–18

Children’s common fears

Appropriate vocabulary

(Cont.)

Presenting to young children requires addressing specific considerations.

21–19

Learning style

Fire station tours provide several opportunities you need to understand.

21–20

Enhance department’s public image

Provide fire and life safety messages

Distribute safety awareness literature

May be spur-of-the-moment or scheduled

Fire station tours require planning and following of safety guidelines.

21–21

(Cont.)

Fire station tours require planning and following of safety guidelines.

21–22

(Cont.)

Decide where group goes in case of alarm• Decide with

officer in charge• Explain before

tour

Remember impressions left will be strong ones• Turn off TVs• Present

professional workplace

CAUTION

Provide safety instructions at the beginning of the tour about what to do and where to go if an alarm sounds during the tour.

21–23

Fire station tours require planning and following of safety guidelines.

21–24

Answer all questions• Courteously• To best of

ability

Follow local SOPs regarding• Climbing on

apparatus• Pictures• Trying on

protective clothing

(Cont.)

Fire station tours require planning and following of safety guidelines.

21–25

Do not allow to roam unescorted• Meet upon

arrival• Keep together

until tour begins

Demonstrate equipment, apparatus with caution• Position to

prevent visitors straying

• Exercise caution when activating sirens

Station mascots• Can be

liability• May

need to restrict presence

Preincident planning surveys gather information before an emergency occurs.

21–26

May assist with

•Locating, controlling fire•Locating occupants•Determining potential hazards•Improving emergency operations•Improving both firefighter, occupant safety

Documentation for preincident planning surveys show specific details and are used to reach several goals.

21–27

Details

•Construction type •Floor plan or layout•Contents•Occupancy type •Hazardous materials storage •Special processes •Fire detection and suppression systems •Fuel load

Goals•Become familiar with structures•Recognize existing hazards•Visualize how standard tactics may or may not apply•Develop new tactics if necessary•Determine if occupants have conditions that may prohibit self-evacuation•Determine if occupants may require translators

Preincident and code enforcement surveys are separate types of surveys.

21–28

Preincident• Become

familiar with structure

Inspections• See if

occupants complied with codes

Preincident planning surveys generally follow the same steps.

21–29

(Cont.)

Follow local SOPs

Obtain floor plans

Preincident planning surveys generally follow the same steps.

21–30

Conduct thorough

survey

May need more than one visit

Survey buildings

separately

Discuss results with

owner/occupant

Maps, drawings, and photographs can provide useful documentation.

21–31

(Cont.)

Helpful to firefighters

Contain information

May be prepared by insurance carriers

If unavailable or outdated

Include plot drawing

Note other important features, information

Maps, drawings, and photographs can provide useful documentation.

21–32

(Cont.)

Use common symbols

Co

urte

sy of S

an

bo

rn M

ap

Co

mp

an

y

Maps, drawings, and photographs can provide useful documentation.

21–33

May create withGeographic Information System (GIS)

Other electronic mapping program

Take photographs if permitted

Captures detail not in drawings

Most useful in preincident plans

Take from elevated position if possible

Interior, close-ups effective

Video may be made for training if possible

• Fire and life safety initiative programs benefit both the community and the fire department.

• Firefighters are an important part of that initiative by providing information to the public and preparing to respond to emergencies by surveying occupied properties.

Summary

21–34