Corey Conrady: The Rural Firefighter
Drummond FD
This article is dedicated to all fire departments -- not just rural -- and the kinds of things we deal with as firefighters who live and serve in the communities we have grown up in.
Building a Culture of Safety What is culture? The definition is “an umbrella term that encompasses the social behavior, institutions, and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, and habits of the individuals in these groups. Culture often originated from or is attributed to a specific region or location.” Now, what is a culture of safety? Safety Culture is the way safety is perceived, valued, and prioritized in an organization. It reflects the real commitment to safety at all levels in the organization. It has also been described as “how an organization behaves when no one is watching”. attitudes, assumptions, and values. The existing system of assumpThe National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) has asserted tions and beliefs reinforces particular values: that the culture of the fire and emergency service is a major contrib● Every LODD is automatically labeled as heroic, no matter the utor to the fatal trend in firefighters’ health and safety (Siarnicki, circumstances (versus an occupational fatality that is preventable). 2010). This culture has not been concisely defined, but the literature ● Recommendations to follow standard operating procedures suggests both that it exists as a stand-alone concept and that it and exercise appropriate caution are described as cowardly. has unique characteristics that are uncommon to non-uniformed ● The urgency of quickly arriving at the scene of an emergency professions. justifies driving in a manner that endangers the lives of other moThis effort is directly related to three of NFFF’s 16 Firefighter Life torists and pedestrians who may be encountered en route, as well Safety Initiatives (FLSIs). FLSI 1, which states: Define and advocate as the responders themselves.” the need for a cultural change within the fire service relating to safeSo what is this all saying? ty; incorporating leadership, management, supervision, account1. Building a culture of safety then begins at the top and requires ability, and personal responsibility (NFFF, 2011), is an overarching “buy-in” from everyone. initiative, acknowledging that the organizational culture of the fire 2. Every injury or fatality can be prevented. service must undergo a change to accept the other 15 recommenda3. Caution should be everyone’s SOP. tions. Without understanding the culture within a fire and emer4. Driving too fast endangers everyone. gency service organization, it is likely that changes called for in the As we continue in this series, we will continue to look at Buildother 15 initiatives cannot be successfully ing a Culture of Safety, not just in our deimplemented or sustained. (U.S. Fire Adpartments, but in our lives outside. We will Help is available if you need immediate ministration National, Safety Culture Change continue to look at the 16 Life Safety Initiasupport in Oklahoma. Contacts include: Initiative, a Study of Behavioral Motivation on tives and how we can implement them in our Reduction of Risk-Taking Behaviors in the Fire departments. • Warriors Rest Foundation -and Emergency Service). Brett Key at 405-252-7489 This study conducted by the U.S. Fire Sources • First Responders Against Suicide -Administration concluded that many interThe National Fallen Firefighters Foundation leads Facebook page is available to message nal factors are at play to determine a culture an “Everyone Goes Home” Firefighter Life Safety First Responders in Oklahoma within an organization, “many interrelatInitiatives” plan on their web page https://www. ed factors must be addressed in order to • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -everyonegoeshome.com/16-initiatives that lists 16 produce a significant change in outcomes in 800-273-8255 (or go to website for chat) attitude initiatives, we as the fire service should terms of reducing line of duty injuries and strive to implement in our departments. • National Helpline -- 800-662-HELP (4357) deaths and improving overall firefighter • Crisis Text Line -- Text HOME to 741741 The National Safety Culture Change Initiative safety and health.” (NSCCI) was developed to advocate for the need • OSFA -- 405-424-1452 (will respond with The study also states that “unsafe attihelp within 48 hours) for culture change for health and safety within the tudes and behaviors often prevail in spite of fire service. This effort is led by the International the common knowledge that there are less • Corey Conrady 580-540-0970, call or text Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), in partnerrisky alternatives that could result in fewer me anytime ship with the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). deaths, injuries, and illnesses. • Oklahoma Fire Service Chaplains -https://www.ffsafetyculture.org/ In fact, it was noted that efforts to proFacebook page lists four area contacts mote health and safety were often met with In an emergency, contact Pastor Gary Download the report at https://www.usfa.fema. resistance and scorn, reinforcing the notion Lillie (Hawley Fire) 580-541-5980 gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa_342.pdf that they created conflict with established Oklahoma FirefighterAugust/September/October 2022 33
