While the principles of the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives have been mostly embraced by the broad American Fire Service, debates about the “culture of safety vs the culture of suppression” continue to flare. And implementing the initiatives on a local level often present new or unexpected challenges. To help fire departments around the nation adopt the initiatives, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) has created a new handbook, The Strategic Vision Guide: An Action Plan Using the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives.
This guide is a blueprint for incorporating the concepts and materials of the 16 initiatives. It can be used as a stand-alone document or incorporated into Standard Operating Guides or Procedures.
“As I visit departments across the country, I hear fire chiefs and firefighters have embraced the concepts of the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives, but they aren’t sure what to do next. This step-by-step guide is the answer to this crossroad,” explained Chief Ron Siarnicki, Executive Director of the NFFF.
By adopting a strategic vision, departments can enhance their service to their communities and ensure firefighter safety and health are top priorities. Many of the recommendations in the guide are based on principles outlined in two well-recognized books: Leading Change by John. P. Kotter and The Heart of Change Field Guide by Dan. S. Cohen.
