Safety Bulletin (updated 10-04-2009)

What is a S.A.F.E.R. "Safety Bulletin"? We are all looking to improve the working conditions encountered in the fire service. The Board of Directors of S.A.F.E.R. has decided to augment our role in working to help you provide a safer working environment for your agency and personnel. When we find a significant article or source of reference, we will include it in a special e-mailing to members, as well as posting it here rather than wait for it to be included in the monthly newsletter. By utilizing the "networking" capability of this organization, we will have a vast resouce of information available to all in a timely and convenient manner...information that will hopefully enhance your safety awareness.

Situation: "Blue Sheet Station Fire Fatal Vehicle Accident" The Los Angeles County Fire Department is participating with other agencies in the coordination of a multi-jurisdictional Serious Accident Review Team. The attached is a preliminary summary report regarding the vehicle accident which occurred near Camp 16 and resulted in the fatal injuries of two of their firefighters. For the purpose of incident safety and information, all personnel shall review this document. This report will be disseminated Statewide. Download Safety Bulletin Now

Additional Safety Information: "HIWG Recommended Mitigations for Heat Illness and Injury for Fire Departments" From the Heat Issues Working Group: This is the final draft. You are free to distribute this document. It will be delivered hard copy to the fire chiefs of San Diego FD, Sand Bernardino Co FD, Riverside Co FD (CAL-FIRE), OCRFA, LA County FD, LA City FD, Ventura Co FD, Santa Barbara Co FD and Kern Co FD. It is our report back to them on our work. With their concurrence, we will continue to meet a couple times per year to share information and monitor our agencies improving recognition of heat illness and injury. Thank you for your generous support. In our letter, we also make a recommendation to our fire chiefs that operational inconsistencies, particularly involving safety practices during structure protection operations in the wildland-urban interface be addressed by a similar working group. Thank you for your efforts. Download HIWG Recommendations Now