OP 40 - Incident Safety Officer (05)

Question 0

To provide maximum safety at an emergency scene, it is important that all members operate in a safe manner at all times, true or false?

Answer 0

True.

Question 1

The incident safety officer’s ISO vital function is to assist the incident commander in minimizing the threat of death or injury to members, true or false?

Answer 1

True. The PFD is committed to providing the safest possible work environment. The emergency scene poses some risk and many potential dangers.

Question 2

According to OP# 19 what is the ISO responsible for?

Answer 2

Physically monitoring the emergency scene, evaluating risk, giving progress reports to the IC, ensuring that a rehab area is established and to participate in command level planning sessions.

Question 3

Upon arrival, what is one of the first things the incident safety officer should do?

Answer 3

Report to the incident commander for a face-to-face briefing in order to ascertain the overall strategy and the specific safety plan. Also discuss any special circumstance or danger.

Question 4

Who will wear a blue vest marked safety officer?

Answer 4

The incident safety officer.

Question 5

Should the ISO perform a 360° survey of the incident scene?

Answer 5

Yes. After conducting a face-to-face with the incident commander. Also consider drawing a diagram of the site. Attempts to obtain direction, street names, position of apparatus, placement of hose lines. Obtain and review the VBI for potential hazards.

Question 6

The ISO will evaluate the scene in terms of a standard emergency scene risk assessment (significant risk, calculated risk, no risk) and advise the IC of immediate safety concerns, true or false?

Answer 6

True.
The ISO will use the following risk management guidelines to determine appropriate risk-taking actions by members.
1. Keep significant risk to members limited to potential life-saving situations.
2. Inherent risk of routine activities should be reduced or minimized.
3. No risk to the safety of members is acceptable when there is no possibility of saving life or property.

Question 7

The ISO can terminate any unsafe act, condition or activity posing an imminent hazard or risk at an emergency incident, true or false?

Answer 7

True. The ISO will immediately notify the IC of any strategic or tactical changes. Conditions that are not immediately dangerous to life and health of a responder will be given to the IC for appropriate consideration.

Question 8

What will the ISO do if they identify hazards, unsafe conditions or unsafe operations that are not imminent hazards?

Answer 8

Report them through the regular chain of command.

Question 9

The ISO must monitor radio transmissions and identify if barriers to clear communications exist, true or false?

Answer 9

True.

Question 10

The ISO is responsible to evaluate the scene and ensure that appropriate levels of PPE are properly worn, true or false?

Answer 10

True.

Question 11

The ISO will ensure that the Philadelphia accountability/entry control system is being utilized, true or false?

Answer 11

True. They will assist the IC in monitoring the movement of members. The ISO will ensure that the hydrant/roll call slips are collected and reviewed.

Question 12

The ISO will advise the IC of the need for additional rapid intervention team’s, or additional safety officers, true or false?

Answer 12

True. In the event of a RIT activation the ISO will continue to conduct assigned activities unless otherwise directed by the IC. The ISO will strongly recommend that the IC consult the operations section chief and the sector supervisors on the timing of RIT deactivation.

Question 13

The ISO will monitor and evaluate visible smoke and fire conditions and advise the IC of the potential for flashover, Backdraft, collapse or fire extension, true or false?

Answer 13

True. The ISO will establish a collapse/safety zone and determine the safest paths for personnel to operate.

Question 14

The ISO will confirm the status of utilities, true or false?

Answer 14

True.

Question 15

In technical rescue incidents, the ISO will be responsible for the specialty sectors (hazmat, confined space, swiftwater rescue, high angle rescue), true or false?

Answer 15

False. Unless certified and authorized to perform such duties.
Specialty teams are responsible for furnishing their own safety officer. The ISO will evaluate hazards to fire suppression and medic units. The ISO will work in association with the specialty team safety officer.

Question 16

The ISO is responsible to assess access and egress routes of the structure or site and the impact on personnel safety, true or false?

Answer 16

True.

Question 17

The ISO is responsible to monitor the health and welfare of all members and insure that they are not overextended and are rehabilitated in an effective manner, true or false?

Answer 17

True. The exact location of the rehab area will be coordinated with the highest ranking EMS official on scene.

Question 18

The ISO shouldn’t evaluate apparatus placement and traffic safety hazards, true or false?

Answer 18

False.

Question 19

The ISO will provide periodic progress reports to the IC on risk assessment issues, true or false?

Answer 19

True. In long-term incidents, the ISO will be present in all strategy and planning sessions. Certain incidents may require the assignment of assistant safety officers (ASO) due to size and complexity of the scene.

Question 20

The ISO should continuously assess the building/scene of hazards, true or false?

Answer 20

True. The ISO should address ongoing accountability, communication, resource availability , level of PPE, safe corridors for operating, illumination of the site and the supply of breathable air throughout the incident.

Question 21

The ISO should monitor weather and atmospheric conditions with regard to rehab and safety issues, true or false?

Answer 21

True.

Question 22

The ISO must participate in any post-incident review sessions, true or false?

Answer 22

True.

Question 23

Every individual member has a duty to be safe, to watch out for the safety of other members at the scene and to comply with all safety procedures, true or false?

Answer 23

True. Company officers carry an additional responsibility of ensuring that all members of their crew are operating in a safe manner.
Chief officers and sector supervisors must also ensure that tasks are conducted safely.

Question 24

At a major incident a member from the safety office will respond to the scene, true or false?

Answer 24

True.