1. FIREFIGHTER I • LESSON 1B

3. GOALS OF A FIREFIGHTER SAFETY PROGRAM
TS 1B–1
Preventing human suffering, deaths, injuries, and exposures to hazardous atmospheres and contagious diseases
Preventing damage/loss of equipment
Reducing the incidence and severity of accidents and hazardous exposures
Safety practices cannot simply be taught – they must be practiced and enforced.

4. FIREFIGHTER HEALTH GUIDELINES
TS 1B–2a
Stay informed about job-related health issues.
Follow recommendations for vaccination against hepatitis B.
Use precautions to avoid exposure to HIV.
Learn proper lifting techniques.
Use tools designed to assist in lifting heavy objects.
Properly clean and store tools and equipment used in patient care.

5. FIREFIGHTER HEALTH GUIDELINES (cont.)
TS 1B–2b
Maintain a regular exercise program to sustain physical fitness.
Maintain a diet that reduces cholesterol, fat, and sodium intake.
Be aware of cardiovascular and cancer risks.
Have regular physicals and medical check-ups.

6. EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AREAS OF ASSISTANCE
TS 1B–3
Alcohol abuse
Drug abuse
Personal problems
Stress
Depression
Anxiety
Divorce
Career development
Nutrition
Hypertension
Smoking cessation
Weight control

7. BENEFITS OF AN EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
TS 1B–4
Is available to all members and their families
Provides referrals
Provides health education and counseling
Assists with handling critical incident stress
Prebriefing
Debriefing (CISD)
Defusing

14. APPARATUS SAFETY RULES
TS 1B–5
Seat yourself in the apparatus.
Do not ride standing anywhere on the apparatus.
Do not dress while apparatus is in motion.
Ride within fully enclosed portion of cab; if unable, wear helmet and eye protection.
Wear ear protection if noise level exceeds 90 decibels.
Fasten your seat belt.
Never ride on the tailboard.
Use handrails when dismounting apparatus.
Jump clear of apparatus that may be in contact with electrical wires.

15. PERSONAL SAFETY RULES IN THE FIRE STATION
TS 1B–6
Use proper lifting techniques to prevent back injury.
Keep floors clean and free of slipping hazards.
Watch your footing on stairs and uneven surfaces.
Keep traffic areas free of tripping hazards.
Be sure that aisles are unobstructed and that stairs are well lighted.
Maintain handrails, slide poles, and slides in a safe condition.

18. TOOL & EQUIPMENT SAFETY RULES
TS 1B–7
Replace damaged or broken tools.
Return tools to storage after use.
Inspect and clean tools before storing.
Secure manufacturer’s approval before modifying a tool.
Use spark-resistant tools in flammable atmospheres.
Wear appropriate PPE.
Remove all jewelry.
Select the appropriate tool for the job.
Know the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them.
Inspect tools before use to determine their condition.

19. HAND & POWER TOOL SAFETY RULES
TS 1B–8
HAND TOOLS
Inspect all tools before each use.
Never use a “cheater” to supply additional leverage.
POWER TOOLS
Ensure that trained, authorized personnel make repairs.
Ensure that any electrical tool not marked “double insulated” has three-prong plug.

20. POWER SAW SAFETY RULES
TS 1B–9a
Match the saw to the task and the material to be cut.
Wear proper protective equipment.
Have hoselines in place when using a power saw to force entry into an area where fire is suspected and when using a power saw to perform vertical ventilation.
Avoid the use of all saws when working in a flammable atmosphere.

21. POWER SAW SAFETY RULES (cont.)
TS 1B–9b
Keep unprotected and unessential people out of the work area.
Follow manufacturer’s procedures for proper saw operation.
Use caution to avoid igniting gasoline vapors when refueling a hot, gasoline-powered saw.
Keep blades and chains well sharpened.

22. TRAINING SAFETY
TS 1B–10
NFPA 1500 requires monthly training for all who may engage in structural fire fighting.
Other training sessions should be required as needed or at least twice a year.

24. PERSONAL SAFETY
TS 1B–11
All training at a drill site must include protective gear.
Trainees with any symptoms of illness should have a medical examination before they continue training.
Horseplay during training is forbidden.

25. MAINTAINING & SERVICING EQUIPMENT
TS 1B–12
Training equipment must be maintained in peak condition.
All tools and equipment should be inspected before each drill.

27. EMERGENCY SCENE SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
TS 1B–13
Is it safe or feasible to undertake the emergency operation?
Does operation require rescuing victims or stopping property loss?
Do risks involved warrant limiting the actions of firefighters?
Remember that the IC’s first priority is firefighter safety; the second, victim safety.

28. CROWD CONTROL
TS 1B–14
Know that law enforcement is usually responsible for crowd control.
Keep all bystanders away from the incident for their own safety and that of victims and emergency personnel.
Keep friends and relatives of victims away from the incident but treated with sensitivity and understanding in an area of their own.
Know that zone boundaries are affected by work space, hazard degree, and topography.

29. PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY TAG SYSTEM
TS 1B–15
A simple tag system can help account for personnel within the fireground perimeter.
Identification tags are attached to a control board for quick reference.

30. PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY SCBA TAG SYSTEM
TS 1B–16
An SCBA tag system provides accountability for personnel inside a structure.
Tags allow supervisor to record time of entry and exit of each firefighter.