The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) sponsors research to create safer operational environments for firefighters by increasing awareness about:
If you are a fire department leader, architect or local government official, this guide will assist you in your efforts to design a safe, healthy and functional facility.
Recommendations are specifically directed toward those injury, health and accident concerns associated with activities that occur at fire and emergency services stations.
Any analysis of available data gathered on emergency personnel injuries and deaths that occur at the station clearly show there are plenty of opportunities to make changes in the station design.
Focus areas include:
Download the guide PDF 15.7 MB
Project sponsors: International Fire Service Training Association at Oklahoma State University and the U.S. Fire Administration
Risk Management Practices in the Fire Service contains recommended approaches to help your department manage organizational, operational and community risk. Throughout the manual, we address specific challenges involved in incorporating a “risk management approach” into the delivery of fire department services.
If you are a fire department leader, this guide will assist you in your efforts to improve organizational performance and to reduce the risks that your community, your department, and your members face virtually every day.
Focus areas include:
Project sponsors: International Fire Service Training Association at Oklahoma State University and the U.S. Fire AdministrationMitigation of Occupational Violence to Firefighters and EMS Responders documents the causes of violence to firefighters and EMS responders. It explains the risk factors and presents opportunities to reduce or prevent violence.
Focus areas include:
Project sponsors: International Association of Fire Fighters, Drexel University, and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Voice Radio Communications Guide for the Fire Service June 2016 provides a basic understanding of radio communications technology, including hardware, policies and procedures, and human resource issues.
Focus areas include:
Project sponsors: International Association of Fire Fighters and the U.S. Fire Administration, supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology First Responder Group Office for Interoperability and Compatibility.
The report, National Safety Culture Change Initiative, highlights fire and emergency service cultural aspects that contribute to occupational illnesses, injuries and fatalities. Despite improvements in personal protective equipment, apparatus safety devices, training, emphasis on health and wellness, and decreases in the number of fires, the rate of on-duty firefighter death and injury has remained relatively unchanged in the past four decades.
Focus areas include:
Project sponsors: International Association of Fire Chiefs and the U.S. Fire Administration
When operating at an incident scene, it is critical that the physical and mental well-being of firefighters and other responders doesn’t deteriorate to the point where it affects safety. Emergency incident rehabilitation can prevent serious and life-threatening conditions – such as heat stroke and heart attacks – from occurring. It includes monitoring of vital signs, rehydration, nourishment and rest for responders between assignments.
Download our manual PDF 5.6 MB to learn more about the important topics related to emergency incident rehabilitation, including:
Health and safety project underway
To support the estimated 50,000 U.S. women employed and volunteering as firefighters, we’re working with the International Association of Women in Fire (iWomen) to study the unique health and safety issues of the female firefighter. The published study results will provide information on programs and strategies to enhance health and safety and reduce on-duty fatalities.
