They Could See It Coming—A New Way of Doing Business, Reducing Training Injuries

A TSO observing Cannon Falls active shooter response training.

The League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) is asking our public safety departments to begin using safety officers while they are engaged in active training. Training accidents account for 17% of our work comp injuries on the fire side and 20% on the police side.

The Loss Control team believes that a safety officer can maximize the control that exists in the training environment—and this concept can reduce training injuries. Key to the safety officer concept is the teamwork between the safety officer and the trainer.

The Basics

1.     Every active training session should have a specifically designated training safety officer (TSO).

2.     The safety officer should be designated well in advance of the training (i.e. avoid making the last person who shows up the safety officer).

3.     Prior to the training, the TSO should meet with the trainer and they should “game plan” the safety issues that may arise. Often trainers will remember from the last few years exactly when/where someone got hurt.

4.     This meeting could be supplement by the use of LMCIT’s “checklist”

5.     At the training, the TSO should provide a safety briefing to participants. The safety briefing should cover vital safety information such as the EMS plan, the required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), and safety issues specific to that training session.

A TSO watches New Prague police on the range.

6.     The TSO should be highly visible (as pictured, we used reflective vests).

7.     TSOs should avoid being involved in the training or helping out as a trainer. Their focus is preventing injuries. They need to see the big picture while the trainer concentrates on the details.

8.     Safety officers should have the authority to stop training, and should frequently confer with the main trainer and pass on their observations of the training session.

The police departments from Cannon Falls, Lino Lakes, and Woodbury volunteered to test the concept. Their officers took this framework, tailored it to their training, and found that it works. The TSO program is not about watering down training; it is about getting ahead of problems. 

After Action Review

1.     The safety officers had the “big picture” and monitored the whole session.

2.     The Safety Briefing set the tone for the day.

3.     The officers understood the role of the safety officers and were aware of their presence (the brightly colored vest didn’t hurt).

4.     The safety officers never stopped the training sessions—because they didn’t need to stop the training. As one safety officer said, “I could see it coming.”

5.     There were no injuries, no near misses, and no close calls.

The safety officers saw problems developing while they were in the initial stages (and prior to any injuries). Since they knew the lesson plan, they could spot “off-script behavior” early—and every time they informed the trainer, who got things back on track.

The Training Safety Officer (TSO) program was rolled out for police at the Loss Control Workshops around the state. If you were not able to attend, please call and I will get you the materials.

Firefighters

We have one fire department that has volunteered to be a test site for the fire side of this program. We are looking for a couple more volunteers. This really is just an expansion of what many of you are already doing—so please call or e-mail me if you are interested.

It is a new way of doing business, and it works!

Remember:

Responder Safety = Public Safety

Up next time…"It was not about the money" (wrapping the maintenance of equipment—like air packs, turn out gear, and ladders—back to the manufacturer).

In the meantime, stay safe and be careful.
 

Rob 

Back By Popular Demand

Dr. Rich Gasaway

Last fall, the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) sponsored four firefighter workshops with Dr. Rich Gasaway presenting his “10 Frequent Mistakes and 10 Best Practices” class. The classes filled quickly, and some firefighters were even turned away.

The course evaluations were the most positive we have ever seen. Many firefighters asked that we sponsor some additional classes. Well, we heard you.

LMCIT is sponsoring two additional workshops with Dr. Gasaway this spring—Wednesday, May 16 in Grand Rapids and Wednesday May 30 in Perham. The cost is $15, and the sessions start at 5:30 p.m. (dinner is included).

Dr. Gasaway brings his research and his firefighting experience together as he provides tools and techniques to improve decision-making on the fire ground. He describes in detail how and why fire commanders become overloaded upon arrival at the scene (most of us have been there!) and provides best practices to assist in maintaining situational awareness. His message applies to EMS and law enforcement as well.

These classes, too, are filling! For more information and to register for a workshop, visit: www.lmc.org/may12fireRB

Because remember:

Responder Safety = Public Safety

Up next time…"They could see it coming" (the ability to see safety issues developing and preventing injuries).

In the meantime, stay safe and be careful.
 

Rob

A Visit From the President

President Obama addresses the crowd in Cannon Falls.
Photo by Jeffrey Thompson, Minnesota Public Radio News

It has got to be an interesting feeling when you hear that the White House advance team is rolling in to scout your city for a presidential visit. Things get even more interesting when you are Cannon Falls Police Chief Jeff McCormick, your lead time is a mere four days—and you are about to leave on an August vacation.

That vacation was put on hold as Jeff and his officers worked with the White House staff, Secret Service, and his regional law enforcement partners to assemble a team and implement a security plan. Fire Chief John Miller put together a plan that assigned an engine, tanker, and rescue to a staging area, while the firehouse was staffed by their mutual aid partners. 

Cannon Falls Ambulance Director Brenda Voshalike and supervisor Mike Althoff coordinated the EMS plan with the Secret Service that used four rigs—three of their own, while Northfield stood by to cover the “normal” calls in their service area. (Alhoff had also been scheduled to go on vacation.)

The event went off perfectly, with the president standing in front of the Cannon River in Hannah’s Bend Park, telling the crowd it was an “incredible setting.” Behind the scenes, the security plan was in action as local officers spotted a man attempting to get into the restricted area by using the river. One of the airboats being operated by the Sheriff’s office and DNR picked him up and turned him over to the Secret Service.

The officers also picked up on another person entering the restricted area, and it was seamlessly handled. The EMS plan kicked in when there was a medical emergency in the crowd—and having a doctor with the Cannon Falls crew allowed them to “hold” on the transport until cleared to leave by the Secret Service. The situational awareness was very high.

Members of the local security team begin the day.
Photo courtesy of Chief McCormick

The chiefs spent most of their time in the command center that had been set up in the city’s swimming pool office building. When asked about communications, Fire Chief Miller replied that it went well and commented that their new 800 MHz radio system “worked great.” After the president’s speech, the chiefs had the opportunity to meet him—and his staff photographed the moment. (This tradition has gone on for many presidencies.)

President Obama went on to stop for a quick sandwich at a local deli, and then it was over. As Miller remembers: “Twenty to 30 minutes after his bus left, it was all over.” When asked what they learned from the experience, Police Officer Steve Sutton-Brown (who had been on a counter-sniper team with the Secret Service and had arrived at the PD before sunrise) elicited laughter when he said, “I should have brought sunscreen.” Chief McCormick recalls ending the day with his daughter at her swimming lesson, and “that’s when [the day’s events] finally sank in.”

Once again, the common themes of relationships, teamwork, planning, communication, and a common operational platform made a very uncommon day memorable for all the right reasons. Congratulations to the Cannon Falls public safety team and all of their regional partners.

Remember:

Responder Safety = Public Safety

Up next time…"Back by popular demand" (information on upcoming spring fireground workshops).

In the meantime, stay safe and be careful.
 

Rob