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My Safety

 

An important aspect of safety is individual responsibility for one’s own health and safety. Even with the best supervision, each individual firefighter will occasionally be required to make personal decisions concerning safety. It is important that individual responsibility is taught as the basis for a viable safety program. Some of those individual responsibilities are:

  • Fitness for duty. Begin each work shift both mentally and physically prepared for the rigors of wildland firefighting. Getting adequate sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, and proactively participating in physical training are foundations for your personal safety.
  • Utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE). Wear your PPE without being told. Each individual is responsible for performing their own risk assessments. Utilize PPE when a hazard is identified that can be mitigated by wearing a particular PPE component.
  • Following safe work practices. For example, using a spotter when backing up vehicles is the prudent and professional course of action. If you are unsure how to perform a job or task safely, ask your supervisor or an experienced coworker.
  • Using the correct reference materials is an important aspect of safety. You should have a working knowledge of the Interagency Standards for Fire and Aviation Operations (Red Book), Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, and your local operating guidelines.
  • Ensure instructions are clearly understood. Communication is a basic responsibility for all fire personnel. Ask appropriate questions to clarify uncertain issues. Speak up when you observe hazards that may place you or others at risk.
  • Maintain situational awareness at all times. Awareness is a vital component of My Safety. Pay attention to what is happening around your area of operations. Always display an awareness of what is happening around you by asking questions or sharing information.

Summary:

Do not expect someone else to be responsible for your safety. Take it upon yourself to make My Safety your number one priority.

Discussions Points:

  • Talk about ways you can improve your safety.
  • Have your supervisor talk about their expectations for individual safety.

 

Category
Leadership
References
10 Standard Firefighting Orders, PMS 110
10 and 18 Poster, PMS 110-18
18 Watch Out Situations, PMS 118
Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461
Interagency Standards for Fire & Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book)


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NWCG Latest Announcements

IBC Memo 24-01: OF 297 Signature Order and 2024 Fire Season Use IBC Memo 24-02: Summary of Changes for SIIBM, PMS 902

Date: July 15, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee 

The NWCG Incident Business Committee (IBC) has recently released two memorandums. The first provides direction on the use of the Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 for the 2024 fire season. Due to delays in hard copy printing, both the 2024 revision and the older version of the Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 are acceptable for use during the 2024 fire season.

The second memorandum documents the updates of the newly revised NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management (SIIBM), PMS 902. The summary of changes attached to the memo covers the major updates and process changes from the 2022 version.

References:

IBC Memorandum 24-01: OF 297 Signature Order and 2024 Fire Season Use

IBC Memorandum 24-02: Summary of Changes for the NWCG Standards of Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902

IBC Memorandum 24-02 Attachment: Summary of Changes

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

Date: July 10, 2024
Contact: Incident Medical Unit Subcommittee 

A new publication from the Incident Medical Unit Subcommittee is now available. The NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552 will be used as a guide and as an opportunity to begin to build out Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) modules for the remainder of Fire Year 2024. These standards will be fully implemented as the minimum standard starting in January 2025.

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support outlines the roles, duties, qualifications, and equipment pertinent to REMS. A REMS team, strategically stationed at wildland fires, plays a pivotal role in prioritizing swift access and medical treatment to injured or ill firefighters for safe and efficient egress off the fireline. This ensures their rapid transport to definitive medical care in cases of emergency during firefighting operations, highlighting the invaluable contribution of the REMS team to firefighter safety and well-being.

References:

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

National Wildland Firefighter Day

Date: July 2, 2024
Contact: National Interagency Fire Center 

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) would like to recognize July 2, 2024, as National Wildland Firefighter Day (NWFFD). Established in 2022, NWFFD honors the dedication of wildland firefighters and support personnel. This day falls within the 2024 Week of Remembrance (June 30 - July 6), providing an opportunity to renew our commitment to wildland firefighter safety while remembering those who have fallen in the line of duty.

NWCG continues to provide leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners. NWCG standards and training establish common practices to contribute to safe, effective, and coordinated national interagency wildland fire operations.

References:

NWCG.gov

Week of Remembrance

National Wildland Firefighter Day

2024 Week of Remembrance

Date: June 27, 2024
Contact: 6 Minutes for Safety Subcommittee 

As we approach the 2024 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30 to July 6, we dedicate this time to thoughtfully reviewing and recognizing the events of the 2018 Mendocino Complex. As such, this year’s theme of “Learning From the Mendocino Complex” embodies a longstanding hallmark of WOR, honoring through learning.

Throughout the week, our energy will be directed toward fostering generative conversations in briefing rooms and at tailgates.

References:

6 Minutes for Safety - 2024 Week of Remembrance

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center