1. Firefighter Life Safety Resource Kit
Firefighter Life Safety
Initiatives
Part II
Make Everyday a Training Day…So that Everyone Goes Home
c. 2006 NFFF

2. Initiative # 10
Grant programs should support the
implementation of safe practices and/or
mandate safe practices as an eligibility
requirement.

3. What Initiative #10 Means
There is grant money available for you to begin
implementing the initiatives. Grants should, however, be
tied to increasing safety measures. No safe practices/no
grant.
 If you ask for a grant to improve health and wellness,
for example, recommendations should be made and
implemented as a condition of future grants.
 Take time to learn how to write grants professionally
— beginning with the identification of granting
sources.

4. Initiative # 11
National standards for emergency response
policies and procedures should be developed
and championed.

5. What Initiative #11 Means
National Standards for emergency response policies and
procedures should be developed. At the local level,
departments may have to increase response times to “arrive
alive.”
 Help to adopt safe driving rules and enforce them.
 Secure loose objects in cabs and on vehicles.
 Respond to emergencies using emergency response
SOPs; no red lights and sirens to routine calls.
 Make sure all vehicles meet current safety standards.
 MOST IMPORTANT: MANDATE SEAT BELT USE!

6. Initiative # 12
National protocols for response to violent
incidents (including terrorism) should
be developed and championed.
Ky. Firefighter Killed, Second
Wounded in Shooting at Scene
of Domestic 'Worst Nightmare':
Domestic Dispute Call Turns to Tragedy
Memphis: Firefighting Presents More Dangers
Than Just Fire
Six Firefighters Shot, Injured in Indiana Violence
All Remain Hospitalized, One Seriously

7. What Initiative #12 Means
Fire and EMS workers deserve to have policies
which will reduce their exposure to all threats of
violence.
 Promote policies to “stage” violence incident
responses, removing the pressure to react
immediately. SOPs should include “GO” and “No-
GO” criteria.
 Learn all you can about responding to terrorist
incidents, regardless of your department’s size or
proximity to predicted targets.

8. Initiative # 13
Firefighters and their
families must have access
to counseling and
psychological support

9. What Initiative #13 Means
Firefighting is a high-risk occupation which, from time
to time, can put the employee and his or her family
under extreme stress. They deserve access to mental
health care.
 If you are feeling stress (depression/anxiety or
physical symptoms) seek help from physician, EAP
counselors, religious or other sources.
 Don’t “tough it out”; this could lead to bad results for
you and your family.
 Stress-awareness should be part of firefighter
training at all levels.
 Help a buddy you see struggling with stress-related
problems.

10. Initiative # 14
Public education must
receive more resources
and be championed as a
critical fire and life safety
program

11. What Initiative #14 Means
Public Education is a responsibility of all fire service
personnel. It should not be reserved for one week on
October. Increased civilian awareness will decrease
firefighter risks.
 Make communicating the fire prevention message to
the community a priority.
 Utilize USFA resources and materials—they are free
and excellent.
 Become an ambassador for community safety in
your church, children's’ schools, volunteer groups,
etc.
 Become an advocate for code adoption &
enforcement .

12. Initiative # 15
Advocacy must be
strengthened for the
enforcement of codes and
the installation of home
fire sprinklers

13. What Initiative #15 Means
The widespread use of residential sprinklers will
improve outcomes for civilians and decrease
firefighter injuries and LODDs.
 Ensure all firefighters understand how sprinkler
systems operate and the value they bring to reducing
Line of Duty Death’s.
 Actively advocate for residential sprinkler laws and
widespread adoption.
 If you build a home, consider the installation of a
sprinkler system—lead by example.

14. Initiative # 16
Safety must be a primary
consideration in the
design of apparatus and
equipment.

15. What Initiative #16 Means
Encourage your department to make “safety” the
highest priority in equipment and apparatus
purchases—as high as design and price.
 Form an apparatus committee and help set your
department’s policies on equipment and
apparatus purchases.
 Read professional journals and attend
conferences where new innovations in apparatus
and equipment are demonstrated.
 Learn NFPA standard 1901 regarding apparatus
safety standards.

16. Self-Evaluation Summary
• Is Your Department on the
path to a Line of Duty
Death ?
• Do you know what the path
looks like ?

17. Does it Look Like this?
• More Accidents
• Criminal Charges
• Incarceration
• Civilian casualty
• Firefighter casualties
• Older & Heavier
• Stiff versus Flexible
• High Cholesterol versus Low
• Insulin versus Non Insulin
• Experience Exchange versus Early Death

18. IF YOUR DEPARTMENT IS ON THE ROAD TO A
LINE OF DUTY DEATH YOU CAN BEGIN TODAY TO
CHANGE THE ROAD YOU’RE ON:
 Watch the videos in the Firefighter Life Safety
Resource Kit
 Conduct an organizational assessment and
implement changes
 Encourage and reward positive changes
toward safety

19. Make a Commitment TODAY…
Become an ADVOCATE for the
16 FIREFIGHTER LIFE SAFETY INITIATIVES
For more information on the
Courage To Be Safe…So Everyone Goes Home
program
www.everyonegoeshome.com