Overview

The National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System is a voluntary, confidential, non-punitive and secure reporting system with the goal of improving firefighter safety. By collecting and analyzing information on near-miss events, improvements canbe made in command, education, operations and training.

Definition of a Near Miss

A near miss is an unintentional, unsafe occurrence that could have resulted in an injury, fatality or property damage. Only a fortunate break in the chain of events prevented an injury, fatality or property damage.

Program Goals

• Provide an opportunity for firefighters to share experiences which can help prevent injuries and protect the lives of other firefighters.

• Collect information which can assist in formulating strategies to reducethe number of firefighter injuriesand fatalities.

• Foster a safety-focused culture that recognizes errors as aninherent part of human behavior.

Firefighter Fatality and Injury Statistics

• There have been an average of 100 fatalities and 100,000 injuries per year since 1977.

• The fatality and injury statistics are, essentially, increasing over the last 15 years when compared to a decreasing number of structure fires.

• Improvements in PPE, equipment and training have caused a “Catch-22” for firefighters. Better protection, aggressive tactics, lighter weight construction and improved handling capabilities of heavy apparatus are putting firefighters at greater risk.

• Non-fatal firefighter injuries and prevention efforts cost anywhere from $2.8 billion to $7.8 billion per year. (NIST Report on Consequences of Fire Fighter Injuries - 2005)

Why Share Near-Miss Experiences?

• To share lessons learned with firefighters on a national scale.

• To prevent another firefighterfrom getting injured or killed.

• To identify trends ininjury-producing behaviors.

• Aviation industry found that sharing near-misses improved overall safety.

What will be done with the collected information?

• Members of the fire service community can learn from other firefighters.

• Officers can use the reports in training drills.

• Fire service community will receive bulletins, program reports and alerts depending on the urgency of the information collected.

• Training academies can incorporate near-miss reports in building curriculum.

• Fire service associations can use the reports as part of an improved emphasis on safety to their members.

• Manufacturers will be notified when reports are received regarding performance issueswith equipment.

Who can submit a report and does it need to be a recent experience?

Any member of the fire service community is encouraged tosubmit a report when he/she is involved in, witnesses, or is toldof a near-miss event. Regardlessof when the near-miss experience occurred, all reports contain valuable information.

Two ways to submit a report

• Electronically submit a report on www.firefighternearmiss.com.

• Print a form from the website and submit it via mail or fax.

Home Page Screen

Demographics Questions

Seven questions about the reporter (title, years of fire service experience, department type, etc.)

Event Questions

Eight questions about the event (type, cause, etc.)

Event Description

Describe the event in your own words.

Lessons Learned

Describe the lessons learned.

Optional Contact Information

Providing your name and contact information is optional. Reports can be submitted anonymously without contact information.

Post Submission Screen

Once a report is submitted, the reporter can view a list of reports similar to his/her report.

Search Reports Screen

View reports submitted from other firefighters.

How long does it take to submit a report?

It takes about 3-5 minutes to enter the demographic and event questions. You decide how much time you want to spend on the event description and the lessons learned.

What happens to a report once it is filed?

The report is reviewed by active duty, experienced fire

service professionals who remove or generalize names,

departments and other information as needed in order to

protect the identity of the reporter. Reviewers are trained to

identify any safety hazards requiring immediate action.

Reviewers also code the reports into a database in order to

analyze patterns. Once the report is de-identified, reviewed

and coded, the report is posted on firefighternearmiss.com

for other firefighters to use as a learning tool.

Report Trail

Firefighter submits report

1st Reviewer•Opens report

(within 72 hours of submission)

•Reads

•De-identifies

•Forwards to 2nd Reviewer

2nd Reviewer•Ensures report is de-

identified

•Returns to 1st Reviewer

Report is Posted for Viewing

Alerts & bulletins issued as needed

1st Reviewer Codes report

How can I participate in this program?

Visit www.firefighternearmiss.com to:

• Submit a near-miss report so other firefighters can learn from your experiences.

• Read, learn and share information from near-miss reports with members ofyour department.

• Learn more about theNational Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System.

Near-Miss Reporting System

This project is funded by grants from the Department of Homeland

Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and Fireman’s

Fund Insurance Company.

The project is supported by FirefighterCloseCalls.com in mutual

dedication for firefighter safety and survival.

The project is administered by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) in consultation with the National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System Task Force. The project is endorsed by IAFC, International Association of Fire Fighters and the Volunteer & Combination Officers Section of the IAFC.

Near-Miss Contact Information

Mailing Address:

National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System

4025 Fair Ridge Drive

Fairfax, VA 22033

E-mail: nearmiss@iafc.org

Phone: 703-273-0911 or 571-238-8287

Fax: 703-273-0920

Photography byJason R. Henskewww.fyrfoto.com