It’s no secret that both volunteer and career firefighters face a broad scope of risks. While the total number of deaths is on average 100 per year, there are also thousands of injuries reported- any of which could have likely resulted in death in the worst circumstances. Therefore, directors and managers of firefighting teams must be proactive about risk management strategies to protect their crew while out in the field. In turn, Firefighter Management Liability can be reduced, and teams can return home safely at the end of the day. Read on to take a closer look at the necessity of a successful risk management plan.

For experienced firefighters, they understand that being competent incident commanders is a huge part of risk management. According to Fire Engineering, strong leadership is evidenced by decisiveness; decisiveness is driven by confidence; confidence is confirmed by experience, and experience is supported by training and mentoring. This promotes a strong leader and in turn, reduces the risk.

The NFPA 1250 explains the entire process referred to as a similar, five-step format:

• Identification and analysis
• Formulating alternatives
• Selecting alternatives
• Implementing alternatives
• Monitoring program

Dive deep into the risks that are present in the field and work to create a safety program that speaks to each one. Weigh them based off of probability and severity when determining how to manage the risks. Exposure avoidance, segregation of exposures, contractual transfer, and a solid loss reduction/prevention program are common recommendations, says the article.

Next, be sure to plan for the recommended changes and give ample time for all personnel to accommodate the shift. Otherwise, managers risk alienating some employees or experiencing backlash or resentment. If equipment or procedural changes are required, an in-depth training session will need to be held. Set goals for achieving any necessary transitions and provide a way of tracking progress. Once all of the training has been completed and employees are comfortable facing and preventing dangers, the risk will be better controlled.

At Provident Fire Plus, we offer custom tailored packages to best protect firefighters. We understand the risks that emergency response teams are subjected to on a daily basis, and have worked to serve these dedicated professionals for over 87 years. For more information about our products and policies, we invite you to contact our experts today at (855) 201-8880.