1. NFPA 1500 and Firefighter Responsibility
Firefighter I

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3. General Overview of NFPA 1500
NFPA 1500 contains the minimum requirements for safety and health programs
Life-safety factor – stems from natural desire to prevent needless suffering from
Physical pain
Emotional stress
Economic factor – includes legal expenses and expenses caused by loss of manpower, apparatus, equipment, tools, property, or systems.
Key concept – to apply the same degree of safety throughout the fire service
Fire departments may also set safety standards unique to their stations

4. General Overview of NFPA 1500: Employee Interest
The success of a safety program begins at the top of the fire department administrative chain and trickles down
The administration's attitude about safety is reflected in the attitudes of the supervising officers
The main goals are to
Prevent
Human suffering
Deaths
Injuries
Illnesses
Exposures to hazardous atmospheres and contagious diseases
Prevent damage/loss of equipment
Reduce the number and severity of incidents, accidents, and hazardous exposures

5. General Overview of NFPA 1500: Firefighter Health Considerations
Firefighters must be in good physical condition to handle the physical demands of the profession
To stay healthy firefighters must
Stay informed about job-related health issues
Follow recommendations for vaccination against hepatitis B
Use precautions to avoid exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Learn proper lifting techniques to avoid muscle strains and other related injuries
Use tools designed to assist with lifting heavy objects

6. General Overview of NFPA 1500: Firefighter Health Considerations (continued)
To stay healthy firefighters must (continued)
Properly clean and store tools and equipment used in patient care
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, such as
Smoking
High blood pressure
High cholesterol levels
Have regular physicals and medical checkups

7. NFPA 1500: Equivalency
Levels of qualifications are established (e.g. basic, intermediate, master, etc.)
Training, education, competency, and safety standards are set so that all fire personnel are held to the same standard

8. NFPA 1500: Organization
All departments must have the following in place:
Written statement of policy
Operational response criteria (Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs))
Written risk management plan (coverage and components)
Written fire department occupational safety and health policy
Compliance with local laws and guidelines for all activities
Accident investigation procedures
An occupational safety and health committee
Recordkeeping for accidents, exposures, training, and deaths
An appointed health and safety officer (to perform the functions of NFPA 1521)

9. NFPA 1500: Training, Education, and Professional Development
Establish and maintain safety and health training
Training and education programs are in place for new members
Restrict the duties of the new members until they have proven their knowledge of the procedures
Training for all members on
Risk management plan
Department’s written procedures
Emergency medical services
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Safe exiting and accountability

10. NFPA 1500: Member Qualifications
All structural firefighters must meet the following qualifications before being allowed to work in the field
Firefighters must meet NFPA 1001
Drivers/operators must meet NFPA 1002
Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) firefighters must meet NFPA 1003
Fire officers must meet NFPA 1021
Wildland firefighters must meet NFPA 1051
Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) firefighters must meet NFPA 472 or higher
Members must practice their assigned skill sets on a regular basis (annually at a minimum)

11. NFPA 1500: Fire Apparatus and Equipment
New fire apparatus meets NFPA 1901
New wildland apparatus meets NFPA 1906
New marine firefighter vessels meet NFPA 1925
Tools, equipment, and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) are properly secured within all apparatuses
Restraints and harnesses are in place and used (e.g. seatbelts)
All drivers undergo an approved training course

12. NFPA 1500: Fire Apparatus and Equipment (continued)
All traffic laws are followed including possession of a valid driver’s license with an appropriate rating (Class B in the state of Texas)
Apparatus comes to a complete stop at red lights, stop signs, and railroad crossings, even when responding priority one to an incident
Riding on the outside of an apparatus is prohibited
Apparatus and equipment are disinfected per NFPA 1581
Hearing protection is provided when operating tools and riding in apparatus
Powered rescue tools meet NFPA 1936

13. NFPA 1500: Fire Apparatus and Equipment (continued)
All apparatuses are tested per NFPA 1911
Ground ladders tested per NFPA 1932
Hoses inspected per NFPA 1962
Fire Extinguishers inspected per NFPA 10

14. NFPA 1500: Protective Clothing and Equipment
Fire departments provide PPE for all staff
All protective equipment meets NFPA 1971
PPE is cleaned every six months per NFPA 1851
Laundry service is available for contaminated clothing
Damaged or unsafe clothing is taken out of service
Gloves have proper interface (no skin shows)
Minimum two-inch overlap of all protective clothing layers
Programs in place for selection, care, maintenance, and use of protective clothing

15. NFPA 1500: Protective Clothing and Equipment (continued)
SCBA is provided and protected
Members are provided emergency medical gloves and body and face protection
Infection control programs meet NFPA 1581
When involved in HAZMAT ops, members are supplied vapor protective garments that meet NFPA 1991 and are given a safe method of disposal for used garments
Special ops safety equipment provided for:
Wildland firefighting
Technical rescue operations (Urban Search and Rescue (US&R))
Surface water operations (boats)

16. NFPA 1500: Life Safety Ropes
Are only used appropriately
Are taken out of service if ever damaged or below standards
Have documentation throughout the duration of their use
Are tested/checked and approved only by qualified people

17. NFPA 1500: Emergency Operations
Use emergency risk management, accountability, and rapid intervention teams (RIT) for the rescue of members and rehabilitation for personnel
Have a plan in place to handle civil unrest or terrorism
Have a post-incident review process to ensure that lessons learned are shared in an attempt to diminish future accidents and injuries

18. NFPA 1500: SCBA Breathing air meets NFPA 1989
Quantitative fit test annually
Nothing passes through the seal
No beard or facial hair is in the area of the seal
Helmet does not interfere with the seal
Facepiece can be worn under protective hood
Cylinders are hydrostatically tested
In-service air cylinders are stored while charged
Personnel are protected during SCBA air cylinder filling

19. NFPA 1500: Wellness
Member Assistance Program (MAP) or Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is provided to assist members and their families with substance abuse, stress, and family or personal problems that may affect a member's work performance
Wellness program is provided to address physical fitness levels (aerobic conditioning, strength, and flexibility), along with smoking cessation, nutrition, and how to cope with stress
Guidance for the management of problems resulting from critical incident stress is also provided

20. NFPA 1500: Other Personal Alert Safety System (PASS) Devices
Members are provided with a PASS device
PASS devices are tested at least once a week
Hearing Protection
Is provided when noise decibels exceed 90 dB in apparatus and/or when using tools
Communications
An incident clock is used to mark key time landmarks (e.g. call arrives, units dispatch, unit arrive)
Dispatch and responding companies use clear communication
Procedures are in place for emergency traffic (e.g. mayday, code red)

21. Resources
, Essentials of Firefighting (5th Edition), International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA)
NFPA 1500 Guidelines version
Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP)