Live-Fire Training Fatalities and the Degree of Adherence to National Fire Protection Association Standards (NFPA 1403).

摘要

Firefighter fatalities that occur during live fire training continue to occur despite a national standard outlining methods to conduct such training in as safe a manner as possible. Previous research has not examined the relationship between fatalities in live fire training and adherence to the guidelines outlined in a national standard published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The main research question involved understanding the relationship between live fire training fatalities and the degree of adherence to elements of NFPA 1403, Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions. Sub questions were used to examine two specific elements outlined in NFPA 1403. Berman's work on micro- and macro-implementation provided the conceptual framework for this mixed-methods study. Quantitative data were collected from fire department training officers through an electronic survey. Split-half reliability was used to test the internal consistency of the survey questions. Qualitative data were collected through document review and interviews with leaders in fire service training and were coded to reveal emerging themes. Findings indicated a relationship between the disregard of NFPA 1403 and the fatalities, with the improper use of fuel found to be a factor in each fatality case. Findings also indicated that NFPA 1403 makes live fire training safer when applied properly, but, when not applied, can lead to fatal consequences. Recommendations include training on both the amount of fuel needed to achieve training objectives and the limitations of protective equipment. Implications for social change include providing fire departments throughout the U.S. with information that would save lives among the nation's 1.3 million firefighters.