Manual - International Association of Fire Fighters

PREFACE
When a fire fighter makes the ultimate sacrifice, we usually say that he or she died in the line
of duty. The fact of the matter is that fire fighters don’t die peacefully in the line of duty; they
are killed—often abruptly and violently. All too often, the investigation into a fire fighter’s
death turns out to be incomplete, inaccurate, or inconclusive. In those cases, we never find
out what, if anything, went wrong. Because we believe that every fire fighter’s death must
receive a thorough and unbiased investigation, the IAFF first developed this Fire Fighter
Line-of-Duty Death or Serious Injury Investigation Manual in 1997. During this time, we
also worked with the US government to create the NIOSH investigation program for fire
fighters, a program which we continue to support. We have also assisted many of our affiliates
directly or through the provision of advice and materials with fatality investigations. The
IAFF continues to ensure all materials are up-to-date and relevant for investigation purposes.
In 2006, our membership directed that we work with the International Association of Fire
Chiefs (IAFC) to revise our policies and procedures, especially this manual, to ensure that
there is labor and management cooperation during any fatality investigation. Accordingly,
the IAFF worked together with the IAFC on the revision of the IAFF Line-of-Duty Death and
Serious Injury Investigation Manual to ensure such cooperation and to protect the rights
of our members during the investigation of an LODD or serious injury incident. The IAFF
Division of Occupational Health, Safety and Medicine worked with the IAFF’s Gene Faughnan
Standing Committee on Occupational Safety and Health and with the IAFC Health, Safety
and Survival Section on the complete revision of the original manual.
We owe a comprehensive investigation to every fallen hero, every family member left behind,
and the 298,000 members of our Union. Whether the fault for the loss of one of our brothers
or sisters lies with inadequate staffing, poor incident command, bad communications, lack
of training, equipment failure, or human error—the IAFF is committed to uncovering the
truth. This manual is rededicated to the fire fighters who have died in the line of duty. From
their deaths we will learn how to prevent further tragedies.
General President
Harold A. Schaitberger
General Secretary-Treasurer
Thomas H. Miller
Assistant to the General President
Occupational Health, Safety & Medicine
Richard M. Duffy
Director of Occupational Health and Safety
James E. Brinkley
Investigation of a Fire Fighter Line-of-Duty Death and Serious Injury
i