How to build company drills from NIOSH reports

You’ve probably read — or at least skimmed — a NIOSH firefighter fatality report, but do you know what to do with it? Or how it came to be? Wesley Attwood, a senior investigator with NIOSH’s Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program, explains how departments request an investigation, what investigators examine and why the process is voluntary, independent and nonpunitive. He also clears up some common misconceptions, including that NIOSH investigates every line-of-duty death and that the program only reviews fatalities. More importantly, Attwood brings the reports down to the company level, showing how the condensed report slides can fuel a five-minute drill, preplan discussion or Main Street size-up. He also highlights recurring lessons involving fire dynamics, staffing, communication, medical evaluations and psychological safety. The takeaway: Don’t let these reports go missing in a sea of browser tabs. Put them to work before the same concerns show up on another fireground.

Additional resources:

NIOSH seeks firefighter input on LODD, serious injury investigations

Learning from serious injuries: NIOSH updates guidelines for investigation requests

FireRescue1 NIOSH news and resources

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