Chapter 1 The Safety Officer Role

Question 1

Health and Safety Officer (HSO)

Answer 1

The individual assigned and authorized by the fire chief as the manager of the health and safety program.

Question 2

Incident Safety Officer (ISO)

Answer 2

A member of the command staff responsible for monitoring and assessing safety hazards or unsafe situations and for developing measures to ensure personnel safety.

Question 3

National Incident Management System (NIMS)

Answer 3

An incident response system developed by the Department of Homeland Security.

Question 4

National Interagency Incident Management System (NIIMS)

Answer 4

An incident response system developed by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.

Question 5

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Answer 5

A mental health disorder that can develop in individuals who have experienced a terrifying ordeal that involved physical harm or the threat of harm.

Question 6

National Fire Academy (NFA) developed courses that split the safety officer role into two titles (and separate curricula): ____ and ____

Answer 6

health and safety officer (HSO) and Incident safety officer (ISO).

Question 7

In the mid 1990’s, the NFPA task group assigned to update ____, took the concepts developed by the ____ and the ____ and rewrote the standard to reflect the HSO/ISO division. The standard provided a consensus definition for each title.

Answer 7

NFPA 1521, FDSOA, NFA

Question 8

In 1991 the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) developed and offered a course titles “preparing the Fireground Safety Officer”. As part of the class, the FDSOA suggested that the ____

Answer 8

safety officer title and responsibilities be divided.

Question 9

ISO Functions

Answer 9

Monitor incidents
Evaluate hazards/ risks
Develop preventive measures
Intervene to prevent harm
Communicate safety messages
Incident action plan review 

Accident Investigation
Post-incident analysis
Safety committee participation
Procedure review

Question 10

HSO Functions

Answer 10

OSHA compliance
Safety & health education
Accident prevention program
Facility safety
Infection control
Risk management administration
Data analysis

Accident Investigation
Post-incident analysis
Safety committee participation
Procedure review