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.