Near Miss Training/Reporting

Section 1 - ADMINISTRATIVE

PURPOSE:

Near-miss reporting has proven to reduce fatalities, injuries, and equipment loss in a number of industries (i.e., aviation, medicine, gas/oil, nuclear). Managing error through the use of non-punitive strategies such as near-miss reporting has proven to be an effective tool in keeping the workforce and community served safe. Given the concept’s proven track record, and the dedication this department has to the health and welfare of its members, the Maitland Fire Rescue Department is issuing this policy endorsing the use of near-miss reporting.

PROCEDURE:

This policy applies to all members of the Maitland Fire Rescue Department.

DEFINITIONS:

• Near-Miss – An unintentional act that nearly resulted in an injury or property damage, results in an injury or property damage, could have resulted in a more serious injury or property damage.
• Near-Miss Reporting System – The National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System (www.firefighternearmiss.com) is a voluntary, confidential, non-punitive, secure reporting system whose goal is reducing firefighter death and injury. The system provides a firefighter friendly format for submitting a near miss event.
• Reporter – A firefighter who files a near-miss report.
  • Reviewer – A contract employee of www.firefighternearmiss.com hired to review near-miss reports and collect data. Reviewers sign confidentiality agreements as a condition of employment by the National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System.
  • Simple Human Error (or Error) – An error committed by a member due to: miscommunication, poor decision making based on a lack of adequate information, poor task performance due to a lack of training, or loss of situational awareness.
  • Violation – Willfully committing an act that violates department policy. An example of a violation would be an employee who tucks a seat belt under a riding position to avoid having to wear the belt.

POLICY:

• The Maitland Fire Rescue Department is adopting a non-punitive approach to simple human error. Members who commit an error while in the performance of their duty may be exempt from disciplinary action provided they promptly file a near-miss report. This exemption from disciplinary action applies to actions that do not willfully violate department policy or purposely place members unnecessarily in harm’s way.
• Members who personally experience, witness or are made aware of a near-miss incident shall report such incident to the on duty Battalion Chief and shall then file a near-miss report.
• Members filing near-miss reports shall use the National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System (www.firefighternearmiss.com) as the vehicle for recording their near-miss event.
• Multiple reports of the same incident are encouraged. The variety of perspectives provides additional value to reporting the incident.
• Members shall forward a copy of the posted report to their Battalion Chief, the Deputy Chief or the Fire Chief so the department can rapidly respond to implement corrective actions needed to prevent the near miss from becoming a serious injury or fatality within our department.
• Ensuring anonymity and confidentiality is paramount. No member submitting a near miss report shall be forced to identify themselves to the firefighter near miss web site. Department members lower than the rank of Chief shall not seek out the identity of a member or members who file near-miss reports. Members who voluntarily submit their contact information to the department will remain anonymous.

PROCEDURE:

• Members who experience, witness or are informed of a near-miss incident shall log on to www.firefighternearmiss.com to support the program’s efforts to improve firefighter safety.
• Sections 1 thru 4 of www.firefighternearmiss.com shall be completed by the affected/informed members.
• Section 5 of the reporting system is optional. Members are encouraged to provide at least one off-duty contact number or email address. This contact information provides the system’s reviewers with a means to contact the reporter with follow up questions that will enhance the data collected and provide the maximum reporting effort to ensure another firefighter’s safety.
• Reporters shall copy their submitted report and forward it to their Battalion Chief. No names or contact information are required to personnel below the rank of Chief.

RESPONSIBILITY

• The fire chief is responsible for ensuring the department maintains a non-punitive approach to correcting errors.
• Department officers are responsible for maintaining an environment that encourages members to report errors and file near-miss reports.
• All members are responsible for filing timely near-miss reports.
• All officers are responsible for maintaining a working knowledge of the National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System. * * The department safety officer is responsible for filing reports with www.firefighternearmiss.com whenever he/she is notified or becomes aware of a near miss event in the department.