Risk Management Interventions to Reduce Vehicle-related Incidents and Fatalities”
Grant: FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program – Fire Prevention and Safety EMW-2013-FP-00351
Purpose
Emergency service vehicle crashes and incidents (ESVI) and being struck by vehicles are the second leading cause of U.S. firefighter fatalities, averaging approximately 20 each year. Approximately 16,000 firefighter ESVIs and over 1,100 associated injuries are reported annually. The goal of this project is to improve firefighter health and safety by reducing ESVIs in career, combination, and predominantly volunteer fire departments.
Objectives
We propose to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of proactive risk management-based training, administrative, and technological interventions to improve vehicle operation and reduce ESVIs.
Methods
The methods and specific aims of this grant are:
1) Evaluate risks and design and implement interventions to reduce ESVCs;
2) Measure program effectiveness and economic return; and
3) Develop and disseminate model guidance materials for vehicle-related program interventions.
We anticipate that proactive risk management-based interventions will result in improved driving and reduced ESVCs and related firefighter injuries and fatalities.