B.E.S.T. Practices for Health and Safety

BEST-poster-image-updateKeep your department ready to respond to the next call with the NVFC’s Volunteer Firefighter Health and Safety Priorities. Set forth in a series of B.E.S.T. Practices for the volunteer fire and emergency services, the priorities are divided into four main focus areas: Behavior, Equipment, Standards and Codes, and Training.

The NVFC has always been dedicated to keeping first responders healthy and safe. The Volunteer Firefighter Health and Safety Priorities were developed by the NVFC’s Health and Safety Committee in 2008 to further the NVFC’s focus on protecting first responders.

The health and safety B.E.S.T. Practices as set forth in the Volunteer Firefighter Health and Safety Priorities are as follows:

Behavior:
  • Support the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of all personnel.
  • Operate all emergency apparatus and privately owned vehicles to conform to the highest road safety standards and enforce the use of seatbelts.
  • Develop, practice, and enforce recommended health and safety standards for all personnel.
  • Monitor and ensure that all active emergency scenes maintain the utmost level of safety and fireground accountability.
Equipment:
  • Provide and require the proper use of full personal protective equipment.
  • Maintain all equipment based on established safety recommendations.
Standards and Codes:
  • Encourage the use of all smoke, fire detection, and fire suppression devices, including fire sprinkler systems, in all structures.
  • Vigorously enforce all fire safety codes and ordinances.
  • Obtain apparatus and equipment that meet national safety standards.
Training:
  • Utilize fire training programs that conform to the highest professional standards.
  • Operate a safe fire training ground at all times.
  • Establish, maintain, and deliver fire safety programs for all age groups.

The NVFC has developed a poster that you can hang up at the station to keep the priorities in the minds of your personnel and serve as a constant reminder of the B.E.S.T. Practices your department should be following to keep your members safe. Click here to download the B.E.S.T. Practices poster.