Public Safety Reports

the resources from neighboring jurisdictions through mutual aid and automatic response

agreements to supplement on-duty resources. CAL FIRE also has access to other state resources

in neighboring service units.

FIGURE 4-2: Moderate Risk Response-Interior Fire Attack

In addition to examining risks faced by the community at large, the department needs to

examine internal risks in an effort to protect all assets, including personnel, resources, and

property. This concept is not new to the fire service and can be an excellent tool for

strengthening existing health and safety guidelines. The National Fire Protection Association’s

Standard for a Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program (NFPA 1500)

recommends the development of a separate risk management plan

for fire departments; that

is, separate from those incorporated in a local government plan. The risk management plan

establishes a standard of safety for the daily operations of the department. This standard of

safety establishes the parameters in which the department should conduct all activities during

emergency and nonemergency operations. The intent is for all members of the department to

operate within this standard or plan of safety and not deviate from this process.

CAL FIRE has compiled an extensive number of preplan documents for its high- and medium-risk

occupancies. These preplans are readily available to responding personnel (in hard copy) and

the department is very attentive in keeping these files up to date and familiar to responding

personnel. This is a very good effort that is considered a

Best Practice

Robert C. Barr and John M. Eversole, eds.,

The Fire Chief’s Handbook

, 6th edition (Tulsa, OK: PennWell

Books), 270.