By Don Zimmerman
Drive through an industrial section of any town, and you may see a flag raised high above a building there. I’m not talking about an American flag, but one that claims the industrial facility is ISO 9001-certified. What is this flag, and why does everybody want one? Basically it claims that a product supplier meets certain quality requirements to ensure that the companies that purchase the product will not be disappointed.
According to the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) Web site, the ISO, based in Geneva, Switzerland, services 162 countries by developing standards to bridge industry and government. The ISO 9000 series of standards are the most well known and concentrate on quality management procedures. The standards include components such as learning what the customer wants, regulatory requirements, handling disputes, and improving the overall quality process. A technical committee meets every so often to review the old standards and update them. Members can submit suggestions that are taken into consideration when new revisions are being completed.
The ISO sure does sound a lot like the NFPA to us. The ISO does not “certify” companies or products. In fact, the ISO does not even allow the use of its logo on banners or flags. Companies that wish to claim they are “certified” can hire an outside third party to certify them, although it seems some companies claim they are compliant by using the guidelines and completing an in-house audit. The companies claiming to be ISO 9001-certified or compliant maintain records in case someone disputes their claim or a problem occurs. Although this is just a brief overview of the ISO for this discussion, the point is, members of industry are proud to say they are ISO compliant, even if most people don’t know what it means.
When we hear ISO, we think of Insurance Services Office, Inc., whose Public Protection Classification (PPC) rates fire departments on a scale of 1-10. According to its Web site, this ISO explains that a rating of 1 means “superior” fire protection, whereas a 10 fails to meet the minimum criteria. In the past several years, there has been much discussion over the rating system, especially with regard to firefighter operations and safety. A department that has a relatively low PPC because of staffing, water, and equipment does not necessarily have “superior” command, accountability, or safety procedures. Therefore, the PPC is primarily a tool for the insurance industry. Besides having the same initials, the other similarity between the two ISOs is that some of us are proud to display our PPC. It’s not uncommon to have a low rating painted on the side of fire department apparatus.
Basic human nature is the reason fire departments and industry want to brag. There’s nothing wrong with espirit de corps in an organization. No one wants to be part of failure. It appears that industry has found its goal, but the fire service is still searching. Although a low PPC is something to be proud of, is it worthy of a flag? National Fire Protection Agency 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program, could be an option. NFPA 1500 is a progressive, all-encompassing document ensuring that fire department equipment and operations are as safe and effective as possible. Most fire departments have been working toward compliance whether they knew it or not. It is the holy grail of firefighter safety. Unfortunately, to be truly NFPA 1500-ompliant is virtually impossible. Referencing at least 44 other standards, the staffing and budget requirements are unattainable for most fire departments in these economic times. Even so, every fire department should be actively working toward NFPA 1500 compliance, making improvements along the way. An NFPA 1500 flag is probably a better choice than an ISO Class 1, but you probably wouldn’t ever see one.
One option could be the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives (FLSI). These 16 initiatives were created when firefighters became tired of seeing line-of-duty-deaths remain constant even with better safety equipment. The initiatives are clearly explained at www.everyonegoeshome.com. Although the initiatives are relatively broad statements, departments across the country are developing new and innovative ways to put the initiatives to work and make our job safer. In fact, it’s difficult to keep up with the Web site because of the new information and projects being added. Maybe we should be working toward a safety compliance or certification-worthy-of flag. This would take commitment by the fire service on every level.
National – The “Everyone Goes Home Campaign” could organize its Web site to accommodate suggestions for an FLSI compliance checklist. Using the initiatives as a guide, a summit could create the guidelines for compliance. National organizations representing chiefs, firefighters, and other members of the emergency services could support the creation of the guidelines and endorse their members becoming active in it.
Department – A safety committee could be assembled if not already created. This committee would meet regularly, as outlined in NFPA 1500, with the goal of constant progress toward 1500 compliance. The department administration would adopt policies and procedures identified by FLSI as being vital to the initiatives. The department would become a life safety initiative partner.
Individual – Members of the fire service could get involved in creative ways to implement the initiatives on a local level. They could sign the seat belt pledge and work toward a cultural change. Individuals would become life safety initiative partners.
Much like ISO 9001, the FLSI would not actively certify departments as compliant. It would simply create and update the standard. Individual departments would follow the checklist and make changes in their organization accordingly. Once the guideline has been put into action and the checklist complete, a letter would be drafted by the department and sent to the FLSI stating compliance. The FLSI would update its Web site list, much like the list of individual partners. In the future, certain grants could have a criterion of FLSI 16 compliance to be eligible, much like statements of compliance to NIMS.
It is clear that successful organizations have goals to improve. The fire service today has the opportunity to match a need to create a culture of safety and a need to show its commitment. It’s time to raise a flag of our own.
Don Zimmerman is a lieutenant and paramedic for the Mentor (OH) Fire Department and assistant chief for the Hambden (OH) Volunteer Fire Department.
