Essentials of Fire Fighting
6th Edition
Firefighter I
Chapter 21 — Fire and Life
Safety Initiatives
Learning Objective 1
Explain the steps taken during fire
and life safety program
development.
21–1
Firefighters need to understand the
value of a life safety program.
Help meet
mission
statements
Encourage,
empower
citizens
Emphasize
firefighter
safety
Help
firefighters
21–2
Raise
awareness
among
department
Development of a life safety
program should be systematic.
Model published by FEMA
• Threat and Hazard Identification
and Risk Assessment (THIRA)
21–3
FIVE STEPS
10–4
The first step in the THIRA is to
identify threats and hazards.
Natural
Courtesy of Rich Mahaney
Courtesy of Chris Mikal
Technological Threats or
humancaused
21–5
Step 1: Example Threats and
Hazards of Concern
10–6
The second step in the THIRA is to
give identified threats a context.
Include
Brief explanation
of conditions
• Possible time, location
• Portion of population
at greatest risk
21–7
The third step in the THIRA is to
examine jurisdictional core capabilities.
Based on list of
descriptions
Effects vary among
communities
21–8
Combine effects
with outcomes
community wants
to reach in
reasonable time
The fourth step in the THIRA is to
set capability targets.
Set once outcomes
defined
Should result in
21–9
The final step in the THIRA is to
apply the assessment results.
Develop
action plans
Coordinate
activities
with others
Educate
public
Purchase
materials
21–10
REVIEW QUESTION
What steps should be taken when
developing a fire and life safety
program?
21–11
Learning Objective 2
Describe the components involved in
fire and life safety program delivery.
21–12
Life safety program delivery is
based on the five Es.
21–13
Answering questions not typically
covered can be a part of education.
Fire prevention
presentations
CPR training
classes
Fire prevention
week activities
annually in
October
Fire extinguisher
training
Home safety
education
Slip and fall
prevention for
older adults
General health
education for
community or fire
department
21–14
Practical bicycle
safety for youths
Enforcement activities are usually
grouped into a few categories.
• Building
• Fire
• Life safety
• Enforce
regulations
internally
21–15
Economic incentives can also play
a role in program delivery.
Payment to participate
• Tax deductions
• Manufacturer’s rebates
• Decreased insurance rates
21–16
Fire and life safety program
delivery also requires engineering.
Provide
solutions
• Prevent hazard
• Reduce harm
Primary
responsibility
• Manufacturers
• Designers
• Contractors
Installation
mandated
Enforcement
• Federal, state, local laws/ordinances
• Fire department
• Other agency
21–17
Emergency response is another
aspect of program delivery.
Not preventative
measure
• Fire
• Extrication
• Medical care
• Structural collapse
• Specialized rescue
• Not same purpose
as initiatives
May include other
emergencies
21–18
REVIEW QUESTION
What components are involved in
fire and life safety program delivery?
21–19
Learning Objective 3
Explain the impact of safety hazards,
messages, and target audiences on
creating fire and life safety
education programs.
21–20
Learning Objective 4
Indicate ways to identify and
prevent firesetter development.
21–21
Fire and life safety education is
designed to reach two goals.
Inform citizens
about unsafe
behaviors
Provide information
on how to change
behaviors
21–22
Fire and life safety hazards are the
two broad categories of hazards.
Safety – Unsafe
behaviors, conditions
that result in
Fire – Condition that
would increase
• Likelihood of fire
starting
• Extent or severity of
fire
• Injury
• Death
• Property damage
not related to fire
21–23
Other hazards can also be the focus of
provided safety messages.
Hazardous
processes
Unsafe
conditions
Unsafe
behaviors
21–24
Fire and life safety messages are chosen
based on community assessment of risk
and fall into four categories.
Prevent
Prepare
21–25
Protect
Persuade
Presentation materials are typically
organized based on audience age range.
Preschool
children
Elementary
age children
Middle school
children
High school
students
Adults
Older adults
21–26
REVIEW QUESTION
How does identifying a target
audience impact the creation of a
fire and life safety program?
21–27
Structure surveys can be part of fire
and life safety education.
Performed by fire
companies
• Become familiar
with
• Provide public
service
• Not required by
law
Company-level
preincident survey
• Generally on
occupied
structures
• Include public
areas
• Others subject
to survey
21–28
Firefighter I goals
• Learn about
community
• Help distribute
information
• Learn about
improving
structure safety
Juvenile firesetter programs take
steps to reduce fires set by children.
Identify at
risk children
Intervene in
behavioral
development
Assess cause
of obsession
21–29
The U.S. Fire Administration identifies
the impact of juvenile firesetters.
Arson
arrests
Property
loss
21–30
2nd leading
cause of
fatalities
Juvenile firesetters can be identified
using information from several sources.
Identify categories
Steps to take
Observational duties
21–31
Prevention of juvenile firesetters is
accomplished through several messages.
Should
teach
• Matches, lighters not toys
• How to use – With supervision
• Destructiveness
Provide
adults with
• Categories, indicators
• Importance of keeping matches,
lighters out of reach
• Supervise young children
• Make children aware of dangers
• Hire only properly trained babysitter
Report
• Trends to personnel or professionals
• Follow department SOPs
21–32
REVIEW QUESTION
What are some steps that can be
taken to help prevent firesetter
development?
21–33
Learning Objective 5
Describe the role of a Firefighter I in
enforcing fire and life safety codes.
21–34
Fire and life safety codes are
adopted using a specific process.
Model
code
• Starting point
• Developed by consensus
organization
• Agreed-upon requirements
• Only enforceable when
adopted by AJH
• Know if current or not
Steps
21–35
• Final draft received
• Prepared for formal
adoption
• Date set for
implementation;
announcement made
You should understand the two basic
aspects of code enforcement.
Inspections
Investigation
21–36
REVIEW QUESTION
What role does the Firefighter I
perform when enforcing fire and life
safety codes?
21–37
Summary
• Fire and life safety initiative programs
benefit both the community and the
fire department.
• When properly implemented the
program can help provide an accurate
assessment of hazards to which the
community must respond.
21–38