FIRE FIGHTER FATALITY INVESTIGATION AND PREVENTION

Our Work, Reviewed

International Association of Fire Chiefs Releases a Task Force Report with Recommendations to Enhance and Support the NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program

On August 21, 2007, the Board of Directors of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) endorsed a report by a task force of the IAFC Safety, Health, and Survival Section. The task force was asked to “develop a set of recommendations regarding changes” to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program. IAFC Report to NIOSH

We appreciate the IAFC’s leadership in convening the task force of respected fire service leaders and fire department representatives. Equally, we thank the task force for its hard work and thoughtful review in analyzing the NIOSH program and developing recommendations.

The task force has recommended a range of actions. By and large, the recommendations entail collaborations by IAFC, NIOSH, and other partners “to advocate and support improvements” in the NIOSH investigation program. The report also makes recommendations to develop additional systems to improve fire fighter safety. NIOSH looks forward to working collectively with the IAFC and other fire service organizations to enhance the fire fighter fatality investigation and prevention program.