Chief's Corner Archive

National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System

Posted on January 20, 2006 by Charlie Dickinson, Acting Assistant Administrator, USFA

I recently had the opportunity to discuss the National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). As the IAFC so correctly states, we as a family of firefighters steadily continue to lose around 100 firefighters a year. This IAFC effort is an outstanding opportunity for all firefighters to further reduce death and injuries to our nation's firefighters. Below is the program discussion I wish to share not only with you, but to encourage you to share with all the firefighters you encounter this next year. Let us all work diligently together to once and for all, reduce the number of firefighter names added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial wall. I am honored to thank the IAFC for their efforts and to share with you, the following information.

Saving Lives through Lessons Learned

The National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System went live in August 2005. It is seeking to build on the tried and true fire service tradition of learning lessons at the firehouse kitchen table. Generations of firefighters have returned from incidents, sat down at the kitchen table and conducted hundreds of thousands of informal critiques and recounting of past experiences. The tradition of sharing these lessons learned over a hot cup of coffee or cold soft drink was then handed off to subsequent generations of firefighters over the same kitchen table.

One drawback of the kitchen table is its limited ability to broadcast those lessons learned to a larger audience. Firefighters on the next shift, in the next station or in a firehouse across the country missed the lesson. In spite of the education taking place at the kitchen table, firefighters continue to die or get injured in the line of duty at a consistent rate each year.

The National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System (www.firefighternearmiss.com) turns near-miss experiences into lessons learned for everyone in the fire service community. The goal of the system is to improve firefighter safety by collecting, sharing and analyzing near-miss experiences. The reporting system is voluntary, confidential, non-punitive and secure. To date, the system has recorded over 500 reports ranging from the mundane slip on the oil spot in the engine room to the heart stopping accounts of firefighters trapped or cut off by fire. In a providential twist of fate, all of the reporters have survived to tell their story. Many of their experiences are chillingly similar to the fatalities we suffer each year. Experts with near miss reporting systems in other industries are telling us that near miss reporting reduces fatality and injury rates. With our near constant numbers, we need to look to other proven methods to reduce our disappointingly predictable loss numbers.

By visiting www.firefighternearmiss.com, you can report a near miss so others can learn from your experience. The reporting form was designed by firefighters for firefighters. It takes on average about 5-15 minutes to submit a report. Once a report is submitted, the system automatically searches for reports that may be similar to the reporter's experience. The reporter can then review those reports to see what other firefighters in similar circumstances have learned. This feature provides reporters instant feedback and provides an immediate learning opportunity. All identities are kept confidential to promote reporting.

Firefighters can also benefit from the system by subscribing to a popular feature, "Report of the Week." Each Friday, a report found to be of particular merit or experience is electronically sent to subscribers' email addresses. To begin receiving this free service, send an e-mail to nearmiss@iafc.org and type "Subscribe" in the subject line.

A team of experienced, active duty fire service personnel confidentially reviews the reports, deletes any identifying information (e.g., department name, street locations, company numbers, etc.) and codes the report fields for data collection purposes. The reports are then posted so that visitors to the Web site can search submitted reports and begin taking the lessons learned from another firefighter to their own kitchen table. Reports are also being analyzed to evaluate any patterns of behavior or other contributing factors that can be used to provide the fire service with reliable data. The data can then be used for developing targeted training programs, improved risk assessment tools, and other projects for the good of the fire service.

Everyone in the fire service community can reflect on their careers and remember an experience that could save another firefighter from injury or death. The National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System offers the outlet for sharing those experiences to prevent another brother or sister from becoming a name on the Fallen Firefighters Memorial Wall.

For more information on the National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System:

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