5 in 2025: Fireground Safety Considerations for Incident Safety Officers

Operating on the fireground presents a dynamic and unpredictable environment where hazards can escalate quickly. Early designation of a qualified Incident Safety Officer (ISO) is essential to help ensure firefighter safety and survivability. To accomplish this task, that individual must be knowledgeable in common things that injure or kill firefighters and be willing to be a trusted advisor to the Incident Commander (IC) by continuously assessing the evolving risks and ensuring the effectiveness of the plan.

Any working fire presents numerous hazards to firefighters on scene. The ISO is there to help prioritize those hazards into “likelihood” of injury and communicate mitigation strategies. The ISO should remember that they are not there to make “tactical” decisions but rather be focused on those things that cause harm to members on scene, such as slips, trips and falls, hazardous energy, collapse potential, and fire progression. A constant reevaluation of the hazards present will also be necessary in these ever-evolving situations. ICs and ISOs, alike, must look at every scene through the lens of risk versus benefit and be willing to change strategies when the risk outweighs the reward.

Here are 5 hazards an ISO should prioritize.

1. Slips, trips and falls

Strains and sprains have consistently topped the list of injury types, and they are likely to remain a persistent concern. The root cause for most of these injuries are “slips, trips, and falls”. Most injuries due to slips, trips and falls are relatively minor, but serious injuries could occur. Efforts to reduce these types of risks must include a thorough evaluation of the fireground for wet surfaces, debris, and uneven terrain. Some parts of the country may experience icy conditions, adding to the complexity and severity of the hazard. Communication from the on-scene ISO regarding these types of hazards, as well as proper scene lighting, are important in maintaining situational awareness.

2. Hazardous energy

Hazardous energy is one of the “reads” that the ISO must identify and plan for. Down power lines are a common cause of hazardous energy. However, there are multiple other sources that should be considered. Gas leaks; swift water; cable systems; weather systems; fuel systems; and even an unchained Pitbull could create energy that may injure members. As the safety officer makes their size up, these types of hazards should be categorized and prioritized if a threat exists. Standard categories for hazardous energy include the following: Stable—not likely to change; Stable—may change; Unstable—may require attention; and Unstable—requires immediate attention. Utilizing these categories will assist the ISO in making sure energy threats are addressed in the correct order.

3. Structural collapse

Structural collapse is also a major consideration when identifying safety concerns on scene. Often, both firefighters and safety officers think of fire being the primary cause of collapse. While this is generally true, personnel operating on scene must also consider and prioritize other causes of collapse. Building integrity can be affected by firefighting activity, creating live loads that the building wasn’t designed to handle. Dead loads, such as HVAC systems or solar panels, may also be cause for concern. The age of the structure may also have a direct effect on collapse potential when considering things such as weight created by snow or ice. Other factors to consider may include prior damage to the structure, such as cracks in load-bearing walls, evidence of water damage, or even signs of termite infestation. Any of these can weaken key structural components. Additionally, explosions, vehicle impacts, or natural disasters, such as earthquakes, can compromise the building’s integrity, even if they are not immediately apparent.

4. Fire progression

Fire progression at a working fire must be closely monitored, and alternative plans should be made in anticipation of rapid development. The amount of data available to fire departments regarding ventilation, flow path, heat release rate (HRR), and fire development inside a compartment, is greater now than in any time in history. Using this data to guide standard operating procedures and guidelines (SOPs; SOGs) is critical for ensuring the safety of firefighters and civilians. It is also important for enhancing the effectiveness of firefighting operations. By integrating this knowledge into SOP’s and SOG’s, fire departments can adopt evidence-based strategies that can improve decision-making on the fireground. This data-driven approach not only improves operational efficiency but also enhances firefighter safety and the overall success of incident stability.

5. Complacency

Some fire departments require the use of checklists for their ISOs. Some individuals who operate as ISOs utilize checklists as a personal preference. These methods of organizing, prioritizing, and making sure the right things are being addressed can be beneficial. However, they may also create a trap for the ISO. Dynamic situations, such as structure fires, require continuous evaluation and re-evaluation. An operational risk evaluation for civilians and firefighters should be an ongoing process. If checklists are utilized, the IC and ISO should remember that hazard evaluation is not a “check it off and forget it” problem. Rather, they should serve as a foundation for ongoing situational awareness and proactive decision making. For ISOs, remaining mobile and maintaining continuous communication with the IC and other on-scene personnel is critical. Hazards on the fireground, such as structural instability and fire progression, can emerge and worsen quickly. These hazards require immediate action. A stationary ISO, or one that is overly focused on a checklist, risks missing these dynamic developments, jeopardizing firefighters and civilian safety.

Become the “trusted” advisor

The effectiveness of an ISO doesn’t begin when the call comes in. In fact, developing the skills associated with managing on-scene risk is a commitment that requires study and practice. Utilizing training scenarios and tabletop exercises are great ways to develop this important knowledge-based skill set. Building good working relationships with those around you is another way to become a trusted advisor when operating in dangerous environments.