Course overview and learning outcomes

This course is based on NFPA 1521:  Standard for Fire Department Safety Officer Professional Qualifications and is intended for the member within a fire department or emergency service organization who performs the functions of an Incident Safety Officer or who serves as an assistant to the Incident Safety Officer. 

Course overview and learning outcomes: 

• Perform the role of ISO within an incident command system (ICS) at an incident or planned event 
• Monitor the IAP, conditions, activities, and operations 
• Manage the transfer of ISO duties  
• Stop, alter, or suspend operations based on imminent threats posed to fire fighter safety 
• Monitor and determine the incident scene conditions  
• Monitor the accountability system 
• Determine hazardous incident conditions and advise the IC to establish or modify control zones 
• Identify motor vehicle incident scene hazards 
• Monitor radio transmissions  
• Identify the incident strategic requirements (e.g., fire, technical rescue, hazmat), the corresponding hazards, the size, complexity and anticipated duration of the incident, including the associated risks  
• Determine the hazards associated with the designation of a landing zone and interface with helicopters 
• Notify the IC of the need for intervention resulting from an occupational exposure to a typical stressful event 
• Determine hazardous energy sources that can affect responder health and safety 
• Monitor conditions, including weather, fire fighter activities, and work cycle durations 
• Determine incident environmental and operational factors and confirm the establishment of rapid intervention crew (RIC) and evaluate the need to increase RIC capability 
• Communicate fire behaviour, building access/egress issues, collapse, and hazardous energy issues to established RICs 
• Identify and estimate building/structural collapse hazards 
• Determine flashover and hostile fire event potential at building fires 
• Determine fire growth and blow up  
• Determine the suitability of building entry and egress options at building fires 
• Determine the need for a rescue technician−trained ISO or assistant ISO 
• Prepare a safety plan that identifies corrective or preventive actions 
• Deliver a safety briefing for technical rescue incident response member 
• Determine the need for a hazardous materials technician trained ISO or assistant ISO 
• Prepare a safety plan that identifies corrective or preventive actions 
• Deliver a safety briefing for hazardous materials incident response members 
• Identify that hazardous materials incident control zones have been established and communicated to personnel on the scene  
• Conduct a safety and health investigative process 
• Prepare a written post-incident analysis (PIA) from the ISO perspective 
• Report observations, concerns, and recommendations 


Who should attend and key benefits? 

The course is aimed at personnel within a fire department or emergency service organization who performs the functions of an Incident Safety Officer or who serves as an assistant to the Incident Safety Officer.  

How is the module assessed and accredited? 

• Observations and practical skill assessments throughout the programme carried out against specific assessment criteria 
• A written subject matter assessment against the NFPA 1521:  Standard for Fire Department Safety Officer Professional Qualifications 


More information

For more information about the course, or to book a place, please use the enquiry form on this page or email sales@fireservicecollege.ac.uk

Dates and prices

For further information or to make a booking on this course please contact the Business Development Team on 01608 812984 or email sales@fireservicecollege.ac.uk

To see our full terms and conditions please click here