Safety & Health

It is critical for emergency service organizations (ESOs) to ensure the health and safety of their members. The inability of an organization to maintain high standards of safety or to ensure the health both mental and physical of their members increases risks to the individual member and the community as a whole.

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10 Practical Tips for Responding and Operating on Roadway and Highway Incidents

Roadway emergency operations are the #1 traumatic risk firefighters face. Here’s how to minimize the risk.
US FireAdministration

USFAPreparedAndResilientFireAndEmergencyMedicalServices-StrategicPlan

Strategic Plan to address the fire related challenges facing our nation
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Administrative Checklist: Cardiac Events

Summarizes key points to identify, research and potentially include in guiding documents for handling cardiac events by on-duty members.
  • Amber Ribbon Report

Amber Ribbon Report - Best Practices for Fire Service Canines

This report identifies and defines roles/standards for the use of canines within fire/EMS organizations
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An Examination of the Benefits of Health Promotion for the National Fire Service

This study indicates that the majority of the firefighters did not meet the NFPA minimum post-cardiac event exercise tolerance threshold.
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Batteries in Trailer Explode! Battalion Chief's Perspective

How a routine truck fire quickly escalated into a large-scale incident
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Best Practices for EMS and Fire Response to Incidents During Civil Unrest

NHTSA Office of EMS and U.S. Fire Administration share resources to help local EMS and fire departments safely respond to civil unrest.
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Cardiac Awareness Toolkit

A toolkit of policies, tips and tools to help prevent untimely cardiac deaths. "If you don't feel well, don't make it your farewell."
  • Charged for Life Resources

Charged for Life: Lithium-ion battery safety messaging and resources

Tailored messaging and resources, they empower communities to recognize risks, adopt safer practices, and prevent lithium-ion battery fires

Considerations for Fire Service Response to Residential Battery Energy Storage System Incidents

New data on how lithium fires ignite and spread and urges support for further research toward limiting these fires

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Resources for Fire Chiefs

Centralized location for information and tools for fire and EMS agencies as they prepare and respond to COVID-19
  • Crew Resource Management, 4th Edition

Crew Resource Management (CRM) Manual, 4th Edition

This manual covers CRM topics like communication, threat and error, stress, conflict, sleep, situational awareness, and decision making
  • Texas A&M Engineering (TEEX)

Current Practices: Electric Vehicle and Energy Storage Systems

This resource provides lessons learned and suggested next steps as EVs, charging stations, and ESS become more prevalent across the US
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Effect of Aspirin on Hemostatic and Vascular Function After Live FireFighting

This study shows that low dose aspirin can positively influence the negative physiologic factors associated with firefighting.
  • ResponderSafety.com

Emergency Responder Safety Institute (Training, Information Sharing & Data)

Training, Information Sharing & Data Gathering on improving safety practices during roadway response.
  • Emergency Services Ergonomics and Wellness

Emergency Services Ergonomics and Wellness

Handbook on overall wellness and fitness, sleep issues, driving posture and more
  • Emergency Services Road Map to Health & Wellness

Emergency Services Road Map to Health & Wellness

Next generation Fire Department Guide to NFPA 1582: Info, education & sample documents toward implementing a comprehensive wellness program.
  • Evaluation of the fire protection effectiveness of fluorine free firefighting foams

Evaluation of the fire protection effectiveness of fluorine free firefighting foams

This study was to determine the firefighting capabilities for four fluorine. free foams and one short chain C6 AFFF formulation

FEMA 'Ready' Program

Be 'Ready' for Emergencies and Natural Disasters
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FEMA's Hurricane Milton After the Storm Messaging Resource Toolkit

This toolkit provides multimedia resources quickly available for you to be able to share messaging to your community after Hurricane Milton.
  • Fire And EMS Guide

Fire and EMS Multi-Agency Mutual Aid, Preparedness, and Operations Guide

This guide was designed to provide direction on effective use of mutual-aid and multiagency coordination to support SLTT fire and EMS.
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Fire Exposures of Firefighter Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Facepiece Lenses

Thermally degraded and melted SCBA facepiece lenses have been identified as a contributing factor in certain firefighter fatalities.
  • Fire Service Quick Incident Response Workbook for Civil Unrest and Disturbance

Fire Service Quick Incident Response Workbook for Civil Unrest and Disturbance

A fire service resource to help fire chiefs prepare for and when required, better respond to periods of civil unrest
  • Firefighter Hub

FirefighterHub of resources

FirefighterHub was created to be the home of all things fire.
  • Provider’s Guide to Firefighter Medical Evaluations

Firefighter's Guide to Firefighters Medical Evaluations

Healthcare Provider’s Guide to Firefighter Physicals
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Free Whitepaper: The Importance of Flame Resistant (FR) Station Wear

Details why FR station wear should be an integral part of every firefighter’s PPE.
  • NFPA1582 Physical Guide

Guide to the NFPA 1582 Annual Physical

FAQs on NFPA 1582 Annual Physical
  • What you Need to Know About: Hazardous Materials and CBRN PPE Standards and Certified Products

Hazardous Materials and CBRN Personal Protective Standards and Certified Products

Guide to navigate navigate the complexities of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats
  • Texas Fire Chiefs Association Health and Wellness Guide Firefighter Cancer Basics

Health & Wellness Guide Firefighter Cancer Basics

A guide created by TFCA in efforts to maintain a safe and healthy workforce.
  • A Healthcare Provider

Healthcare Provider’s Guide to Firefighter Physicals

Research-based guide to help primary care providers evaluate, treat and monitor firefighters' unique health and wellness needs.
  • Home Oxygen Therapy (HOT) Toolkit

Home Oxygen Therapy (HOT) Toolkit

Tool kit for Fire Chiefs to address the hazards of Home Oxygen Fire Hazards
  • Fire, Life & Safety Section and Safety, Health & Survival Section

IAFC's Fire Department Planning for a Response to Electric Vehicle Fires Bulletin

This one-page bulletin is intended to guide our pre-response, response and post-event responses to electric vehicle fires.
  • Wellness Fitness Initiative

IAFF/ IAFC Joint Labor/ Management Wellness Fitness Initiative (Overview)

An overall wellness/fitness system developed to maintain firefighters’ physical and mental capabilities

International Wildfire Management: Strategic Insights and Collaborative Opportunities for Fire Leadership (White Paper)

Identified actionable collaboration opportunities that can inform future wildfire strategy development and implementation
  • Kidneys For First Responders

Kidneys for First Responders

Kidneys for Communities (First Responders) is a nonprofit organization that helps first responders and their donors with transplants.
  • East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment WIKI

Lessons Learned from East Palestine Train Derailment

Critical hazardous materials emergencies lessons learned from the Palestine train derailment
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Lithium-Ion and Energy Storage Systems Resources

Dedicated resource page for lithium-ion battery responses at Lithium-Ion and Energy Storage Systems.
  • US FireAdministration

National Fire Academy (NFA) Online self-study courses

You can sign up for self-study classes at any time and complete them at your own pace.
  • Search and Rescue

National Search and Rescue Geospatial Coordination (NSARGC) Group

Providing national leadership for the integration of geospatial information, processes, technology, and systems into search and rescue
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NFPA Codes and Standards (Free Access)

The IAFC is pleased to provide free access to NFPA``s 300 technical documents. While these read-only online documents cannot be ...
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NIOSH Row House Firefighting Tactics Factsheet-Poster

This fact sheet and poster highlights tactics you can use to stay safe when fighting row house fires
  • National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

NIOSH: Safety and Health Considerations for Junior Firefighters

Safety and Health Considerations and Information for Junior Firefighters
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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

Key info on PFAS chemicals that may be present in firefighting foam, potential health risks and actions being taken by state & local governments
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Firefighter Turnout Gear Textiles Exposed to Abrasion, Elevated Temperature, Laundering, or Weathering

A study's findings, firefighters at risk of increased exposure to cancer-causing chemicals in their protective clothing?
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Preventing Deaths and Injuries to Firefighters Working at Strip Mall Fires

NIOSH has recommended precautions that fire departments should take while fighting strip mall fires.
  • COAP

Program-based Strategies for Opioid Diversion in the Fire and Emergency Services

Learn about emerging best practices from fire and EMS program-based strategies for opioid diversion
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RAPT - Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool (FEMA)

Updated RAPT provides census-tract level demographic info and infrastructure locations related to COVID-19 planning, response efforts.

Removing Diesel Exhaust from Apparatus Bays

Exhaust capturing systems are the most effective to prevent firefighter exposures in addition to other systems.
  • Responding to Propane / Flammable Gas Incidents Bulletin

Responding to Propane / Flammable Gas Incidents Bulletin

This resource is to help the fire service respond to flammable gas leaks in structures in a safe, efficient, and coordinated manner
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Response Considerations: Incidents Involving Crowds During the 2024 Presidential Election Period

This white paper with contains background on potential risks; operational considerations, and resources
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Sample SOP/SOG – Responses to Incidents Involving Lithium-Ion Batteries and/or Energy Storage Systems

This document provides arrival and on-scene procedures for fire department units responding to a structure fire.
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released Shelter-in-Place Pictogram Guidance for ten hazards and three building types

Shelter-in-Place Pictogram Guidance for ten hazards and three building types

FEMA released Shelter-in-Place Pictogram Guidance for ten hazards and three building types
  • CHARGE

Take Charge of Battery Safety

FSRI's lithium-ion battery safety campaign includes key resources to help firefighters respond to li-ion battery fires.

U.S. County COVID-19 Cases & Planning Report

Access Covid-19 cases data in the United States by county. Infographic updated daily.
  • Science of Fire and Explosion Hazards from Lithium-Ion Batteries

UL FSRI Fire Safety Academy: The Science of Fire and Explosion Hazards from Lithium-ion Batteries

This course focuses on lithium-ion batteries, thermal runaway and how fire/explosion hazards can develop.
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VCOS and NVFC Lavender Ribbon Report Update: Best Practices for Preventing Firefighter Cancer - September 2021

Updated information, statistics and resources on the 11 best practices to prevent firefighter cancer.
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VCOS and NVFC Lavender Ribbon Report: Best Practices for Preventing Firefighter Cancer

Information, statistics and resources on the 11 best practices to prevent firefighter cancer.
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VCOS Yellow Ribbon Report - Under the Helmet: Performing an Internal Size-Up

Background, statistics, resources, and action items toward a proactive approach to mental wellness in the fire & emergency service
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VCOS Yellow Ribbon Report Update

The VCOS Yellow Ribbon Report Update includes a new set of 11 best practices for responder behavioral wellness.
  • VISION The VCOS International Strategic Initiative Online Network

VISION: The VCOS International Strategic Initiative Online Network

Resources that focus on specific areas of challenges relating to creating and sustaining viable emergency response programs
  • ResponderSafety.com

Wildland Fires and Traffic Management

This program teaches traffic incident management considerations for roadways affected by wildland fires.
  • Women Healthcare Provider Guide Firefighter Physicals

Women's Healthcare Provider’s Guide to Firefighter Physicals

Women's Healthcare Provider’s Guide to Firefighter Physicals