Risk Management Practices in the Fire Service - Essay Example

The manual further defines the fire department's mission as "managing risk for others" (FEMA, 1996, p. 23). In carrying out this mission, the manual lists ways a fire department can manage individual risks or "things that go wrong when departments attempt to deliver services that define this mission" (FEMA, 1996, p. 24). The areas discussed include personnel, fire inspection precautions, administration, and communication.Next, the manual discusses the application of risk management. Recommendations are given regarding the assessment of risk and bravery in the face of risk.

Bravery may be accepted to save lives but it is inappropriate to risk one's life, "when there are no lives to be saved" (FEMA, 1996, p. 64). The manual describes public expectations, occupational safety and health, principles and development of incident action plans, incident commander responsibilities, and roles in the firefighting organization. Examples are given with regard to unoccupied buildings, unusual situational risks, time factors, unacceptable risks, strategies, communication, personal protective equipment, experience, judgment, and training.

The manual also emphasizes the importance of pre-incident planning and management of information.Even with this focus on concept and application, the manual is missing key elements that could reduce fatalities among firefighters. Perhaps the answer lies in a look at how fatalities have recently occurred. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates on-duty firefighting deaths at about 0.1% from 1994-2004, and Half of the deaths among volunteers were caused by heart attacks and 26% by MV-related trauma or career firefighters, 39% were caused by heart attacks, 29% by other causes, and 20% by asphyxiation (CDC, 2006, pp. 453-454). The CDC further recommends that, in order to avoid heart attacks, departments require preplacement and annual medical evaluations, stress testing for some firefighters, and fitness and wellness programs (CDC, 2006, pp. 454-455). To avoid motor-vehicle related trauma, departments should require seat belt use and twice-a-year training in driving safety.

For avoiding deaths resulting from being trapped in a structure, CDC recommends adherence to NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program, meaning more extensive personnel training on these practices is warranted (CDC, 2006, p. 455).How commanders communicate may also prevent deaths. According to Rita Fay, NFPA manager of fire databases and coauthor of an NFPA report, "Taking the time to re-evaluate departmental command techniques is an important means of reducing the risks with which firefighters are faced (Fire Engineering, 2000, p. 40).In summary, careful procedures need to be outlined to stop a large number of deaths from heart attacks and motor vehicle accidents, and FEMA's risk management manual does little to help establish guidelines in these areas.