Program Overview

The Safety program’s purpose is to continuously improve overall safety in the workplace for all District employees. The District is committed to providing the highest level of safety for all members of the organization and finding ways to reduce injuries, accidents, and illnesses while increasing efficiency and effectiveness in job performance. The Safety Program will review all incidents involving safety issues and provide recommendations to the Command Staff for possible implementation.

Management Oversight

The Safety program is directed by the Division Chief of Operations with oversight authority delegated to the Battalion Chief and program coordinator. This program does not have any full-time equivalent employees. This program contains the general expenditures pertaining to safety planning, annual safety inspection services, and overtime for training and program administration.

Goals and Objectives

• Conduct quarterly safety committee meetings to review trends in injuries, accidents, training, and fireground operations, and provide recommendations to executive command staff based on findings.
• Enhance facility safety through annual site inspections by a qualified third party, followed by necessary corrections and repairs.
• Update and distribute OSHA-compliant safety programs to all employees annually, ensuring they understand safety protocols and workplace safety standards.
• Develop and sponsor safety education for Safety Committee members, including training courses and conferences to deepen their expertise.
• Investigate and document serious incidents with "Blue Sheets" and "Green Sheets," and conduct preliminary accident investigations using the Serious Accident Review Team (SART). Improve tracking of injury and accident trends.

FY 2023-24 Accomplishments

• Conducted quarterly safety committee meetings and provided executive summaries to command staff.
• Revised and updated injury/exposure reporting forms and conducted annual facility safety inspections.
• Updated all written safety programs and developed "Blue Sheets" for two serious incidents.
• Program Manager attended key safety courses, including the NIMS L0954 All-Risk Safety Officer course and the FDSOA Safety Officer’s Conference, and received Pro-Board certification as an Incident Safety Officer.
• Expanded the Safety Committee by adding four new members and collaborated with Executive Command Staff to revise the Respiratory Protection policy and develop a related SOG.

FY 2024-25 Program Initiatives

• Conduct quarterly safety committee meetings to provide executive command staff with recommendations and deliverables for improving employee safety.
• Enhance facility safety through annual third-party site inspections and necessary corrections or repairs.
• Distribute OSHA-compliant safety programs to all employees, ensuring they understand and maintain high workplace safety standards.
• Support Safety Committee members' development by sponsoring safety courses and conferences to expand their knowledge and education.
• Improve injury and accident documentation by refining tracking processes and attending the FDSOA academy to obtain Incident Safety Officer certification.