USFA and the IAFF Initiate Project on Firefighter Safety to Evaluate Emergency Response Systems, Develop Effective Risk Management Programs

Release Date: June 15, 2005

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, and head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, announced today the United States Fire Administration (USFA) will be working with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) in a project to enhance risk management capability of local fire departments. The goal of this initiative is to enable fire departments to design effective risk management programs based on community hazards and service commitment, enhance firefighter safety, and provide tools for continual evaluation of emergency response systems.

"Risk management for the emergency services community is an emerging issue that impacts on the safety of firefighters and the citizens they protect," said Brown. "I join with President Bush and Secretary Chertoff in supporting innovative efforts such as this that contribute to public fire protection and homeland security."

This study will examine critical issues related to the development of effective risk management programs. Geographic information systems (GIS) computer simulation will be used to develop risk management models that will be recommended for department of various sizes serving different populations in varying geographic regions.

"I am very pleased to work with the IAFF in this effort to enhance firefighter health and safety as well as potentially reduce civilian fire fatalities and injuries," said R. David Paulison, U.S. Fire Administrator. "This initiative will support the development of risk management efforts for the fire service."

"This project will help fire departments in the assessment of risks in the community, which is key in the enhancement of firefighter health and safety," said Harold Schaitberger, IAFF General President. "This study will help us save lives."

Further information about this project effort, as well as other USFA research studies in firefighter safety and health, may be found on the USFA Web site at: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/research/safety/

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.