NAFTD Releases Rules of Engagement for Safe Fire Service Training

August 4, 2014

North American Fire Training Directors (NAFTD), in partnership with the International Association of Fire Chiefs Safety, Health and Survival Section, have released the Rules of Engagement for Safe Fire Service Training. Developed through a consensus of training directors and safety officers across the U.S. and Canada, these 10 simple steps will help achieve the goal of eliminating line-of-duty-deaths during training events.

“LODDs during training are preventable and unacceptable,” said NAFTD President Allen Rice. “We need to take concrete measures to eliminate the loss of firefighters during training events, and these Rule of Engagement are the roadmap for this effort.”

The new Rules of Engagement address subjects such as having a training plan, following recognized standards, having qualified instructional staff, taking all possible safety precautions, and ensuring that participants are medically cleared before engaging in strenuous training.

The Rules of Engagement for Safe Fire Service Training were first introduced during the 2014 International Fire/EMS Safety and Health Week in June. The theme of the week was “Train Like You Fight,” which focused on safety on the training ground to prevent LODDs and injury as well as receiving the adequate training to prepare for safe fireground operations. A webinar was held during the week that explained the new Rules of Engagement for Safe Fire Service Training and steps all departments can take to avoid tragedy. View the webinar and download the corresponding slides.

A poster of the Rules are now available on the NAFTD web site. Download the poster now and display it in your department to re-enforce safe fire service training at all times.