Fundamental Protocol 2

Scope

This Fundamental Protocol outlines the ‘self-check’ and safe work principles for undertaking operations for the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS). Fundamental Protocol 2 supports Fundamental Protocol 1, and they should always be read in combination.

Guiding Principles

Member health, safety, and welfare is the highest priority for the RFS. During operations, exercises, or activities, the ‘workplace’ for members is often dynamic and evolving. The following principles are to support the safety and wellbeing of members and to assist members in the decision-making process before, during and after any RFS event:

1. IMSAFER – members should complete a self-assessment of the IMSAFER checklist prior to and whilst engaging in RFS operations, exercises, or activities.
   • Illness or Injury – Do I have an illness or injury that impedes my ability to undertake this activity; and/or am I sufficiently recovered?
   • Medications – Am I under the influence of any medication that would impede my ability to undertake this activity.
   • Stress – Am I under severe stress/pressure from personal or work worries that may impact my ability to undertake this activity?
   • Alcohol or Drugs – Am I under the influence of any substance (alcohol or illicit drugs) that would impede my ability to undertake this activity; and/or am I sufficiently recovered?
   • Fatigue – Am I tired, or inadequately rested to undertake this activity?
   • Expertise – Am I currently trained and competent to effectively fulfill my role within the activity?
   • Review – Have I recently reviewed my ongoing suitability to undertake this activity?
2. Priorities of Operations
   • Overriding Priority - Firefighter safety.
   • First Priority - Protect people.
   • Second Priority - Protect property.
   • Third Priority – Protect the Environment
   • Fourth Priority - Help restore normality.
3. LACES – at all times during incidents, members should consider the LACES checklist and raise any concerns to their next in charge.
   • Lookouts – Everyone looks out for everybody else.
   • Awareness – Everybody is aware of current and anticipated behaviour of the fire and other incident hazards and precautions.
   • Communications – Everybody listens and voices any concerns about what is happening at the incident.
   • Escape Routes – Everybody has an “out” identified and agreed on, should things go wrong.
   • Safety Refuge – Everybody helps each other to survive and supports the decision to avoid hazards.
4. Responsibility – members should take appropriate care for the safety of themselves and others around them. Ensure equipment is maintained and safety checks are completed on and around appliances, in accordance with Work Health and Safety (WHS) requirements.
5. Reporting – freely and openly exchange information with others. If members become aware that something is not right, they should voice their concerns, and listen attentively if others express concerns, escalating when necessary to the next in charge.
6. Risk assessment – think through the consequences of something before taking action. It is every members’ responsibility to identify hazards and risks, advise others about them, use appropriate procedures to control the hazards, review the effectiveness of control procedures, and participate in applying good health and safety practices in their brigade.
7. Member wellbeing – members should take appropriate care for the mental wellbeing of themselves and others around them. The RFS provides support services accessible to all members.

Special Considerations

• Members must rely on much more than these principles to be a safe person. This involves the following primary considerations:
  • Fitness – Members should not attend incidents if they suffer from any conditions that will affect their capacity to complete tasks. Apart from the risk of self-injury, they can become a hazard to fellow members.
  • Procedures – The incident ground is no place for people to do their own thing. The RFS aims to build structures to work in ways that are safe for all members. RFS Operational Procedures and Guidelines (OPG) are designed to guide decisions and actions in a safe manner.
  • Training – Activities undertaken by members are challenging. Members must be able to respond effectively and safely in times of emergency. Specific training ensures members are well prepared to perform their duties at all times.
  • Personal protective clothing and equipment (PPC/PPE) – Responding to incidents is a high-risk activity, that exposes members to potentially dangerous environments. The RFS provides personal protective clothing and equipment for members, designed to mitigate the risk of injury. Ensure all PPC/PPE is readily available, maintained in good working order, and used appropriately (within its’ limitations) in conjunction with safe work practises.
• The RFS attends many types of incidents, including fire, flood, mitigation works, medical first response, motor vehicle accidents, automatic fire alarms, and others. This Fundamental Protocol applies to all incidents that the RFS may attend.

Related Information

• Mental Health Services
• Rural Fires Act 1997
• Rural Fires Regulation 2022
• Service Standard 3.1.6 Operational Doctrine
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011