Alert: Preventing Deaths and Injuries of Fire Fighters When Fighting Fires in Unoccupied Structures

2008

NIOSH Docket Number 141

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is conducting a public review of the NIOSH draft document entitled NIOSH Alert: Preventing Deaths and Injuries of Fire Fighters When Fighting Fires in Unoccupied Structures, NIOSH Docket Number NIOSH-141. This document has been determined by NIOSH to be a Significant Guidance document, in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidelines under the Federal Data Quality Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-554, Section 1(a)(3)[515]). The overall goal of the review is to enhance the quality and credibility of Agency recommendations by ensuring that the scientific and technical work underlying these recommendations receives appropriate public review. This guidance document does not have the force and effect of law.

Peer Review

Title: Preventing Deaths and Injuries of Fire Fighters when Fighting Fires in Unoccupied Structures

Subject: Summary of fatality statistics and selected case reports.

Purpose: To highlight hazards and provide recommendations for preventing fire fighter deaths and injuries when working in structures that are known or suspected to be vacant or unoccupied.

Timing of Review: Spring 2008

Primary Disciplines or Expertise Needed for Review: Fire fighter injury prevention

Type of Review: Individual

Number of Reviewers: 6

Reviewers Selected by: NIOSH

Public Nominations Requested for Reviewers: No

Opportunities for the Public to Comment: Yes

Peer Reviewers Provided with Public Comments Before Their Review: No

Peer Reviewers:

Matt Chibarro
Organizational Affiliation: Fire Protection Engineer, Occupational Safety & Health Administration
Areas of Expertise, Discipline, or Relevant Experience: Fire protection engineering, safety and health regulations and federal standards
Recommended by: NIOSH
Richard Duffy
Organizational Affiliation: Special Assistant to the President, International Association of Fire Fighters, AFLCIO
Areas of Expertise, Discipline, or Relevant Experience: Fire fighting, labor relations
Recommended by: NIOSH

William Goldfeder
Organizational Affiliation: Deputy Chief, Loveland-Symmes Fire Department, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Safety Health and Survival Section
Areas of Expertise, Discipline, or Relevant Experience: Fire fighting, fire department management, occupational safety and health
Recommended by: NIOSH

Robert Neale
Organizational Affiliation: Training Specialist, United States Fire Administration, National Fire Academy
Areas of Expertise, Discipline, or Relevant Experience: Fire fighting, training, education, safety and health
Recommended by: NIOSH

Heather Schaffer
Organizational Affiliation: Director, National Volunteer Fire Council
Areas of Expertise, Discipline, or Relevant Experience: Fire fighting, volunteer fire department organization and management
Recommended by: NIOSH

Robert Solomon
Organizational Affiliation: Vice President, National Fire Protection Association
Areas of Expertise, Discipline, or Relevant Experience: Fire protection engineering, national consensus standards
Recommended by: NIOSH

Charge to Peer Reviewers:

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is planning to publish a NIOSH ALERT document titled “Preventing Deaths and Injuries of Fire Fighters When Fighting Fires in Unoccupied Structures.” This document addresses considerations of defensive versus offensive fire attack based on knowledge regarding occupancy, and the need for evaluation of the risks versus gains of these strategies.

Since you have programmatic interest or expertise in this subject, we would appreciate you or your designee’s review of this draft document. Please send your comments by March 15, 2008 directly to NIOSH.

Please note that because this is a pre-decisional draft, we request that you not further distribute this document outside of your organization, and that it not be publicly cited or quoted. Thank you in advance for your assistance in reviewing this document.

Comments and Response:

Peer Reviewers’ Comments

Response to Peer Reviewers’ Comments

Alert: Preventing Deaths and Injuries of Fire Fighters When Fighting Fires in Unoccupied Structures

2008

NIOSH Docket Number 141

Background Information

Review Comments

Submissions from the Public in Order of Receipt

Peer Review