US Fire Administration and the International Association of Fire Chiefs Initiate Study on Reduction of Fire Service Risk Taking Behaviors

EMMITSBURG, MD – The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) announce a partnership initiative to identify individual and organizational behaviors that adversely impact firefighter health and safety and to develop strategies to mitigate them. The IAFC’s Safety, Health and Survival (SHS) Section will lead the study.

"This study will promote a stronger health and safety culture in the fire service, advocating for organizational leadership and personal responsibility to reduce on-duty fatalities and injuries," said U.S. Fire Administrator Ernest Mitchell. "USFA is excited about the opportunity to work with IAFC and its SHS Section on this research effort."

Organizational leadership and personal responsibility are critical in creating the culture change needed in the fire service to promote firefighter safety. This study supports the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Life Safety Initiative #1: Define and advocate the need for a cultural change within the fire service relating to safety; incorporating leadership, management, supervision, accountability and personal responsibility.

"There is a fundamental need for this type of research that promotes positive behaviors and effectively leads to the further reduction of firefighter fatalities and injuries," said IAFC President and Chairman of the Board, Chief Hank Clemmensen. "The IAFC is pleased to partner with USFA in this effort."

Further information on USFA's firefighter research initiatives may be found on the USFA website at www.usfa.fema.gov.