National Firefighter Near-Miss Reporting System -The National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System is a voluntary, confidential, non-punitive and secure reporting system with the goal of improving fire fighter safety.
Submitted reports will be reviewed by fire service professionals. Identifying descriptions are removed to protect your identity. The report is then posted on this web site for other fire fighters to use as a learning tool.
Mayday Post Incident Analysis (Dallas & Tarrant County Fire Chiefs Associations)- Firefighter LifeSafety Initiative (LSI) # 9 states, “Thoroughly investigate all firefighter fatalities, injuries, and near misses.” NIOSH and the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office are responsible for investigating all Texas Line of Duty Death’s. Who, then, thoroughly investigates all injuries and near misses? And, where is the line drawn?
Currently, the firefighter near miss reporting system is a voluntary and relatively anonymous means of reporting near miss events. This system is a great start, but does not go far enough to insure such events are thoroughly investigated and information utilized. In a novel and combined effort, the Dallas County Fire Chief’s Association and the Tarrant County Fire Chief’s Association initiated an effort to comply and implement LSI # 9.
Member departments experiencing a close call, near miss, or “Mayday” may contact the joint Safety and Health Committee to initiate a post incident analysis of the event, in much the same manner as a LODD investigation. Two tracks may then be followed. A department may be large enough to conduct its own PIA but request the Committee to review findings prior to releasing a report and recommendations. Smaller departments or those lacking experience in PIA may request assistance from the Committee. Either way, the event is reviewed and recommendations brought to the Chief of the requesting department. Once approved, lessons learned are shared with the member department and Association members. Ultimately, it is the goal of the Committee to share information globally.
The Committee is happy to share experiences, methodology, or lessons learned with other Departments, or give direction in conducting PIA’s. Contact may be made through the Committee Chair, Plano Fire Chief Hugo Esparza at hugoe@plano.gov .