Fire Service Loss Control (1st Edition)
Chapter 1-Intro to Fire Service Loss Control
Test Review

• Reasons to control losses include:  lower insurance rates, to reduce personal/community  losses, to create safer environments, improve firefighter safety, aid in investigation, to reduce interruption in personal lives/businesses, to reduce psychological impact, to increase firefighter professionalism/job satisfaction, and to enhance public image.
• Loss Control is incorporated in tactical objectives such as rescue, fire control, and property conservation.
• Secondary damage can be minimized by considering alternate types of forcible entry, covering furniture with salvage covers, and using floor runners to protect floors.
• Debris piles should be located where they are less noticeable.
• The fire department mission statement should include loss control and customer service statements.
• Implementing new philosophies, methods, and procedures keeps a "value-added" attitude for the fire department.
• SOPs should reflect the mission statement.
• Loss control procedures should be part of the IMS system.
• New philosophies and attitudes start with management and spread throughout the fire department.
• Loss control should occur before, during, and after the incident.
• Loss control measures must be applied regardless of the customer's economic status.
• Loss control measures are used in planning, fire attack, and property conservation.
• Type of occupancy, equipment, persons present at particular times, location of stored equipment, and location of important items at a specific location should be identified during pre-incident planning.
• Primary Damage is that caused by the fire.
• Secondary Damage is that caused by fire fighting and leaving property unprotected.
• Loss control should be considered during forcible entry, fire attack, ventilation/smoke removal, water usage, extension, salvage, overhaul, and building packaging.
• Occupant services sectors or branches are part of some IMS systems that assist fire victims.
• A walk-through should occur after a fire, when safe, to explain why and what the fire department did to extinguish the fire.
• Assistance such as temporary living, obtaining clothing/necessities, contacting insurance companies, and replacing important documents should be offered by the fire department.
• A book called After the Fire, Returning to Normal, or other publications can help assist fire victims in locating services in addition to arrangements for living, insurance, etc.
• Investigations, restoration of buildings, temporary housing, utility hook-up, returning structure back to occupant, documentation, and prevention/public education should all be post-incident items of concern to Loss Control efforts.