Ch 1-2

Question 1

What is the primary role of the Incident Safety Officer (ISO)?

Answer 1

Monitor and assess safety hazards and develop measures to ensure personnel safety.

Question 2

What is the difference between an HSO and an ISO?

Answer 2

HSO manages the department’s health and safety program; ISO focuses on scene-specific safety.

Question 3

Which NFPA standard defines HSO requirements?

Answer 3

NFPA 1500.

Question 4

What does NFPA 1561 specify for the Safety Officer (SO)?

Answer 4

Requirements, duties, and responsibilities for incident safety.

Question 5

What is the purpose of NFPA 1521?

Answer 5

Outlines job performance requirements (JPRs) for HSO and ISO qualifications.

Question 6

Why did NFPA 1561 change ISO to SO?

Answer 6

To align with NIMS-preferred terminology.

Question 7

What is NIMS?

Answer 7

National Incident Management System, mandating a consistent approach to incident response.

Question 8

Who developed the ‘Preparing the Fireground Safety Officer’ class?

Answer 8

Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA).

Question 9

What historical role did ‘wall watchers’ play in the fire service?

Answer 9

Watched for signs of building collapse during fires in the late 1800s.

Question 10

What event prompted the creation of OSHA?

Answer 10

The Williams-Steiger Act of 1970.

Question 11

What is the significance of NFPA 1500 in fire safety?

Answer 11

Establishes the Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program.

Question 12

What was the FIRESCOPE program’s contribution to safety?

Answer 12

Developed a safety officer role for multiagency incidents.

Question 13

Who popularized the safety sector concept?

Answer 13

Chief Alan Brunacini, Phoenix Fire Department.

Question 14

What is the average annual firefighter LODD from 1977-2017?

Answer 14

108, excluding 9/11 fatalities.

Question 15

What is a ‘hometown hero’ LODD?

Answer 15

Fatal heart attack within 24 hours of stressful duty, included by USFA.

Question 16

Which agency conducts LODD investigations?

Answer 16

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Question 17

What is a recurring NIOSH recommendation?

Answer 17

Appoint a separate ISO independent from the IC at structure fires.

Question 18

What is the trend in fireground-related LODDs?

Answer 18

Increasing due to noncardiac causes like trauma and asphyxiation.

Question 19

Why are fireground injuries per 1,000 fires not declining rapidly?

Answer 19

Despite fewer fires, lightweight construction and rapid fire fuels increase risks.

Question 20

What is the most common firefighter injury type?

Answer 20

Strains, sprains, and muscle pain.

Question 21

How is workers’ compensation rate calculated?

Answer 21

NCCI rate x payroll x experience modifier.

Question 22

What is an experience modifier in workers’ compensation?

Answer 22

Based on a 3-year loss experience, adjusting rates.

Question 23

What is an image factor of firefighter injuries?

Answer 23

Stress in the workplace, affecting morale and operations.

Question 24

What emotional impact follows a firefighter LODD?

Answer 24

Concern, introspection, stress, and trepidation.

Question 25

What is a personal impact of firefighter injuries?

Answer 25

Stress on families, potential for divorce or substance abuse.

Question 26

What is the ISO’s responsibility mnemonic?

Answer 26

MEDIC: Monitor, Evaluate, Develop, Intervene, Communicate.

Question 27

What does 'Monitor' mean in the ISO’s MEDIC role?

Answer 27

Survey the incident environment and activities.

Question 28

What is the ISO’s role in evaluating hazards?

Answer 28

Assess if hazards exist and judge risk versus gain.

Question 29

What does 'Develop' entail for an ISO?

Answer 29

Design preventive measures to minimize harm.

Question 30

When does an ISO intervene?

Answer 30

To prevent harm from imminent or potential hazards.

Question 31

How does an ISO communicate?

Answer 31

Delivers urgent/advisory messages via radio, face-to-face, or signs.

Question 32

Who is ultimately responsible for incident safety?

Answer 32

The Incident Commander (IC).

Question 33

What is the ISO’s role relative to the IC?

Answer 33

Delegated hazard MEDIC responsibilities, reporting to the IC.

Question 34

What safety responsibility do company officers have?

Answer 34

Ensure tactical directives are accomplished safely.

Question 35

What did the suburban fire case study reveal about the IC?

Answer 35

Suffered from 'focal lock,' losing situational awareness.

Question 36

What was a critical observation in the suburban fire case?

Answer 36

Heavy black turbulent smoke under the rear patio deck.

Question 37

What action did the ISO take in the suburban fire?

Answer 37

Recommended evacuation due to deteriorating conditions.

Question 38

What was the outcome of the suburban fire evacuation?

Answer 38

Crews safely exited before a kitchen collapse.

Question 39

What change resulted from the suburban fire incident?

Answer 39

Mandatory TIC use and situational awareness training.

Question 40

Why is an ISO needed despite fewer fires?

Answer 40

Fireground injury/death rates remain high due to modern fire dynamics.

Question 41

What is a societal change affecting firefighter safety?

Answer 41

Lightweight construction and high-heat-release fuels.

Question 42

What is the role of individual firefighters in safety?

Answer 42

Use PPE, perform tasks as trained, maintain team discipline.

Question 43

What is a key ISO task at every incident?

Answer 43

Communicate observations of hazards to prevent harm.

Question 44

What is the purpose of NFPA 1026?

Answer 44

Defines SO qualifications for NIMS safety officers.

Question 45

What is a benefit of ISO intervention?

Answer 45

Can prevent injuries/deaths, as seen in the Illinois strip mall fire.

Question 46

Why are firefighter suicides increasing?

Answer 46

Due to repeated trauma exposure, LODDs, and job stress.

Question 47

What is a media impact of LODDs?

Answer 47

Can lead to critical comments and public perception shifts.

Question 48

What is the ISO’s role in risk management?

Answer 48

Promote safe incident handling through proactive measures.

Question 49

What is a key lesson from the suburban fire case?

Answer 49

Situational awareness is critical to prevent disasters.

Question 50

What is Crew Resource Management (CRM)?

Answer 50

A behavioral approach to reduce human error in high-risk activities.

Question 51

What prompted the development of CRM?

Answer 51

1979 NASA workshop on human error in aviation accidents.

Question 52

What is the aviation industry’s CRM achievement?

Answer 52

Reduced accident rate by 80% through system-wide adoption.

Question 53

Name three of Gordon Dupont’s 'dirty dozen' human error factors.

Answer 53

Lack of communication, complacency, lack of knowledge.

Question 54

What is James Reason’s Swiss cheese model?

Answer 54

Defenses are like Swiss cheese; aligned holes lead to accidents.

Question 55

What is an active failure in Reason’s model?

Answer 55

Unsafe acts by people in direct contact with the system.

Question 56

What is a latent condition?

Answer 56

Pre-existing system conditions that provoke errors or weaken defenses.

Question 57

What are the three CRM error management activities?

Answer 57

Avoidance, entrapment, mitigation.

Question 58

What are the six components of the fire service CRM model?

Answer 58

Communication, teamwork, task allocation, decision making, situational awareness, postincident analysis.

Question 59

What is a 'sterile cockpit' in CRM?

Answer 59

An environment where communication focuses solely on the mission.

Question 60

What is the purpose of inquiry in CRM communication?

Answer 60

Question a situation that causes concern.

Question 61

What is advocacy in CRM?

Answer 61

Stating an opinion on the proper course of action.

Question 62

What is the first step in Todd Bishop’s assertive statement process?

Answer 62

Use an opening/attention getter, e.g., 'Hey, Chief.'

Question 63

What is a CRM buzzword for immediate risk?

Answer 63

'Red flag' or 'red light.'

Question 64

What does CRM promote in teamwork?

Answer 64

Members working together for the common good.

Question 65

What are the three components of the leadership triangle?

Answer 65

Rank, authority, respect.

Question 66

What is personal competence in leadership?

Answer 66

Internal strengths, capabilities, and character.

Question 67

What is technical competence?

Answer 67

Ability to perform tasks requiring specific knowledge or skills.

Question 68

Why is mentoring important in CRM?

Answer 68

Imparts knowledge and skills, fostering open communication.

Question 69

How does CRM handle conflict?

Answer 69

Focus on what is right, not who is right.

Question 70

Who retains ultimate decision-making authority in CRM?

Answer 70

The recognized ranking officer, e.g., the captain.

Question 71

What is Alan Brunacini’s risk-versus-gain mantra?

Answer 71

Risk a lot to save lives, calculated risk for property, nothing for lost causes.

Question 72

What are the four areas of self-assessment for team members?

Answer 72

Physical condition, mental condition, attitude, understanding human behavior.

Question 73

What is a key characteristic of effective CRM followers?

Answer 73

Healthy concern for crew safety.

Question 74

What is task overload in CRM?

Answer 74

Exceeding capacity to manage simultaneous responsibilities.

Question 75

How do fire officers assess crew limits?

Answer 75

Through training, exercises, and mentoring.

Question 76

What is recognition-primed decision making (RPD)?

Answer 76

Making quick decisions based on past experiences.

Question 77

What is naturalistic decision making?

Answer 77

Decision making in dynamic, time-constrained environments.

Question 78

What is situational awareness in fire incidents?

Answer 78

Assessing what is going on around you in a dynamic environment.

Question 79

What is a common cause of situational awareness loss?

Answer 79

Ignoring out-of-context information.

Question 80

What is one step to maintain situational awareness?

Answer 80

Fight the fire, focusing on details and the big picture.

Question 81

What is a situational awareness loss factor?

Answer 81

Fixation or tunnel vision.

Question 82

What is a mental jogger for crews?

Answer 82

'What’s going on here?'

Question 83

What is the purpose of postincident analysis?

Answer 83

Review performance and identify improvements.

Question 84

When should postincident analysis occur?

Answer 84

As soon as convenient, while information is fresh.

Question 85

What is a key question in postincident analysis?

Answer 85

Were standard operating procedures followed?

Question 86

How should poor performance be addressed in postincident analysis?

Answer 86

In private, not publicly.

Question 87

What is a benefit of CRM communication skills?

Answer 87

Reduces errors from miscommunication.

Question 88

What is a CRM core value?

Answer 88

Trust.

Question 89

Why is leading by example effective in CRM?

Answer 89

Influences crew behavior through admired traits.

Question 90

What is a CRM strategy for low-frequency/high-risk tasks?

Answer 90

Say the checklist out loud.

Question 91

What is the role of the fire officer in CRM decision making?

Answer 91

Make final decisions, incorporating team input.

Question 92

What is a benefit of CRM training?

Answer 92

Enhances problem identification and incident control.

Question 93

What is a postincident analysis documentation requirement?

Answer 93

Use a standard form for consistency.

Question 94

What is a CRM belief about human error?

Answer 94

No one is infallible; errors are normal.

Question 95

What is the purpose of the CRM model in the fire service?

Answer 95

Reduce human error to prevent tragic outcomes.

Question 96

What is a key CRM communication skill?

Answer 96

Effective listening, allowing the speaker to express fully.

Question 97

What is the role of the fire officer in task allocation?

Answer 97

Prioritize tasks to avoid overload and ensure safety.