Enhancing Safety Through Risk Management Strategies

1. Chapter 3 Applying Risk Management Types 3-1

2. Introduction • Dynamic changes can occur during an emergency • Constant stress on emergency responders at an incident • Decisions may be based on unknown factors and unknown dangers • Treat each job with a risk-versus-benefit analysis 3-2

3. Life Safety Initiative 3 Focus greater attention on the integration of risk management with incident management at all levels, including strategic, tactical, and planning responsibilities 3-3

4. Life Safety Initiative 3 RISK BENEFIT ANALYSIS • Weighing of the facts • All possibilities considered • “Boilerplate” lists • Sometimes instead rely on experience and training • Proficient at the process Cont. Courtesy of Retired Chief Don Barnes 3-4

5. Life Safety Initiative 3 RISK BENEFIT ANALYSIS • Brunacini risk-benefit model • We will, in a structured plan, risk a lot to save a lot (human lives) • In a structured plan, we will risk a little to save a little (property and pets) • We will risk nothing to save nothing (or something that is already lost) Cont. 3-5

6. Life Safety Initiative 3 RISK BENEFIT ANALYSIS • Analysis quality • Only as good as the person completing it • Experience at the expense of mistakes • Mental risk benefit analysis method 3-6

7. Life Safety Initiative 3 RISK MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW • Definition • Thorough system is initiated to ensure that all potential factors are considered • Risk does not necessarily mean bad • Identify as many risks as possible • Severity, probability, exposure model 3-7

8. Life Safety Initiative 3 DECISION MAKING • Overview • Responders learn how to make decisions quickly • Based on limited, sometimes inaccurate information • May be based on actual training • May be more problem solving in nature Cont. 3-8

9. Life Safety Initiative 3 DECISION MAKING • Training-based decision making • Utilizes learned skills • “By the book” • Practice predetermined plans • Helps in undetermined plans Cont. Courtesy of John Kloski 3-9

10. Life Safety Initiative 3 DECISION MAKING • Recognition-primed decision making • Form of recall • Advantage • Quick decisions • Disadvantage • Prone to failure 3-10

11. Life Safety Initiative 3 INCIDENT MANAGEMENT • Safety officer • Scene accountability • Tag system • Passport system • Barcode scanning software • Span of control Cont. Courtesy of Tim Tobin 3-11

12. Life Safety Initiative 3 INCIDENT MANAGEMENT • Emergency traffic • Rapid intervention • Two-in, two-out rule • IDLH atmospheres • Standard for interior structural fires • Questions about rapid intervention groups Cont. 3-12

13. Life Safety Initiative 3 INCIDENT MANAGEMENT • Responder rehabilitation • Rotate personnel through rehabilitation area • Address dehydration • Firefighters should be checked by medical personnel • Vital signs • Policies need to dictate rehabilitation 3-13

14. Life Safety Initiative 3 RISK MANAGEMENT AT THE STRATEGIC LEVEL • Incident commander • First decision is strategic • Life safety is first priority • Constantly reevaluate Courtesy of Lt. Rob Gandee 3-14

15. Life Safety Initiative 3 RISK MANAGEMENT AT THE TACTICAL LEVEL • Operational methods • Meet strategic goals • Analyze every idea • Don’t be afraid to abandon ideas • Importance not determined by amount of rescuers involved 3-15 Courtesy of Lt. Rob Gandee

16. Life Safety Initiative 3 RISK MANAGEMENT AT THE TASK LEVEL • Overview • Safe search • Safe tools • Situational awareness • Radio communications Courtesy of Jeremy Szydlowski 3-16

17. Summary • Enhancing accountability is an effective way to improve safety • Starts in the form of personal accountability • Decisions everyday make your job safer • Job satisfaction results from decisions made • Risks to firefighters are affected by personal decisions 3-17