Firefighter IICTC Program

Chapter 21 Fire and Life

Safety Initiatives

South Carolina Fire Academy

Private dwelling fire safety surveys are performed on a

voluntary basis

21–2

Can provide information on amount, kind of safety equipment in home

Not subject to same requirements of local codes

Survey – Indicate hazards, suggest corrective action

Treat as educational opportunity – Not enforcement

The fire survey is an opportunity to achieve several goals

21–3

Look for commo

n causes of fires

Complete

survey form,

provide copy to occupan

t

Look for commo

n causes

of residential fires

Educate public

Recommend actions

for eliminating non-fire

related hazards

Planning and public relations are also aspects of these

surveys

21–4

Advanced planning

•Required to gain full acceptance

Main

objectives

•Prevent accidental fires

•Improve life safety conditions

•Help understand and improve conditions

Benefits of surveys

•Citizens know and can trust firefighters

•Citizens feel department concerned about welfare

•Increased goodwill can translate into budget support

These surveys offer several kinds of opportunities

21–5

Post survey follow up or notification of survey

Use information gathered to meet community needs, generate specific messages

Gain information through surveys

Promote education after identifying hazards

Firefighters should take the survey seriously and use several

guidelines

21–6

•Conduct surveys in teams of two or more

•Dress appropriately and act professionally

•Introduce yourself, your partner, provide proper identification

•Explain survey procedure

(Cont.)

Firefighters should take the survey seriously and use several

guidelines

21–7

• Maintain a courteous, businesslike attitude at all times

• Focus on preventing fires, eliminating life safety hazards

• Compliment occupants when favorable conditions are found

• Offer constructive suggestions for correcting or eliminating hazardous conditions

(Cont.)

Firefighters should take the survey seriously and use several

guidelines

21–8

• Ask to survey all rooms; including garage

• If accessible, survey basement

• Ask to survey attic if used for storage or contains heating or cooling unit, if accessible

• Ask occupant to open any closed doors

(Cont.)

Firefighters should take the survey seriously and use several

guidelines

21–9

Discuss survey results with owner/occupant, answer any questions

Thank owners or occupants for invitation into home

Leave behind educational materials appropriate for occupants

Keep results of survey confidential; do not share results with any outside entity

After the survey is completed, there are several actions to take

21–10

Post survey

• Leave checklist

• Give copy of recommendations

• Follow SOPs to recommend repairs

Leave materials

• To indicate you tried to contact

• Unstamped materials should not be placed in mailbox

Document

• Per local SOPs

There are several basic skills to use when presenting safety

messages

21–11

Audience-centered

Good development of ideas

Good organization of ideas

Best choice of words

Good delivery skills(Cont.)

There are several basic skills to use when presenting safety

messages

21–12

Good vocal characteristics

Conversational tone

Positive attitude

Appropriate use of humor

Personal style

Know your topic

Audiences will vary and are divided into several categories

21–13

(Cont.)

Present the message

• Based on demographics• If more than one – Prepare for

the more challenging

Audiences will vary and are divided into several categories

21–14

Age

Educational level

Cultural diversity

Socioeconomic

Physical ability

Fire and life safety messages need to meet certain criteria to

be effective

21–15

Accurate

•Use developed resources•Guidelines for answering questions

Positive•Remember positive rather than negative•Instruct what to do, not what not to do

Targeted•Based on several factors•Life changing events•Seasonal messages

You should use one of several patterns to organize your message to help make it

understandable

21–16

Known-to-Unknow

n

Simple-to-

Complex

Whole-

part-Whol

e

Step-by-Step

Presenting to young children requires addressing specific

considerations

21–17

(Cont.)Classroom considerations

Presenting to young children requires addressing specific

considerations

21–18

Children’s common fears

Appropriate vocabulary

(Cont.)

Presenting to young children requires addressing specific

considerations

21–19

Learning style

Fire station tours provide several opportunities you need to

understand

21–20

Enhance department’s public image

Provide fire and life safety messages

Distribute safety awareness literature

May be spur-of-the-moment or scheduled

Fire station tours require planning and following of safety guidelines

21–21(Cont.)

Fire station tours require planning and following of safety guidelines

21–22

(Cont.)

Decide where group goes in case

of alarm

•Decide with Officer in charge•Explain before tour

Remember impressions left will be

strong ones

•Turn off TVs•Present professional workplace

Fire station tours require planning and following of safety guidelines

21–23

Answer all questions

•Courteously•To best of ability

Follow local SOPs regarding

•Climbing on apparatus•Pictures•Trying on protective clothing

(Cont.)

Fire station tours require planning and following of safety guidelines

21–24

Do not allow to roam unescorted

• Meet upon arrival• Keep together until tour

begins

Demonstrate equipment, apparatus

with caution

• Position to prevent visitors from straying

• Exercise caution when activating sirens

Station mascots• Can be liability• May need to restrict presence

Pre-incident planning surveys gather information before an

emergency occurs

21–25

May assist with

•Locating, controlling fire•Locating occupants•Determining potential hazards•Improving emergency operations•Improving both firefighter, occupant safety

Documentation for pre-incident planning surveys show specific details and are used to reach

several goals

21–26

Pre-incident and code enforcement surveys are separate types of

surveys

21–27

Preincident• Become

familiar with structure

Inspections• See if

occupants complied with codes

Pre-incident planning surveys generally follow the same steps

21–28

(Cont.)

Follow local SOPs

Obtain floor plans

Pre-incident planning surveys generally follow the same steps

21–29

Conduct thorough survey

Discuss results with owner/occupant

Maps, drawings, and photographs can provide useful

documentation

21–30

(Cont.)

•Contain information•May be prepared by insurance carriers

Helpful to firefighter

s

•Include plot drawing•Note other important features, information

If unavailabl

e or outdated

Maps, drawings, and photographs can provide useful

documentation

21–31

(Cont.)

Use common symbols

Maps, drawings, and photographs can provide useful

documentation

21–32

May create with

• Geographic Information System (GIS) • Other electronic mapping program

Take photographs if permitted

• Captures detail not in drawings• Most useful in preincident plans• Take from elevated position if possible• Interior, close-ups effective• Video may be made for training if possible

• Fire and life safety initiative programs benefit both the community and the fire department.

• Firefighters are an important part of that initiative by providing information to the public and preparing to respond to emergencies by surveying occupied properties.

Summary

21–33