DHS Adopts 11 NFPA Standards for Emergency Responders
The National Fire Protection Association and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced the adoption of 11 NFPA standards for emergency responders by DHS. The newly adopted standards will set requirements to assist federal agencies and state and local officials responsible for procuring equipment and services used by emergency responders.
"It is enormously important that first responders have the tools and qualifications necessary to perform their duties well--their lives and the lives of others depend on it," said James M. Shannon. "DHS has taken an important step in supporting the needs of first responders with the adoption of these standards."
The documents adopted will provide direction and allow officials to make better procurement decisions in the following areas: professional qualifications, occupational safety and health, fire apparatus, personal protective clothing, powered rescue tools, and other equipment.
"The threat of fire in any home, school, or business is a reality. To expect first responders to run into the current all-hazard environment without training, equipment, and the basic tools to do their jobs is unacceptable," said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade. "These newly adopted standards by DHS further ensure communities have well-informed, well-trained, and well-equipped first responders, supported by manufacturers, and outside agencies dedicated to protecting the people of this nation."
The 11 newly adopted standards are:
- NFPA 1000, Standard for Fire Service Professional Qualifications Accreditation and Certification Systems
- NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications
- NFPA 1002, Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications
- NFPA 1006, Standard for Rescue Technician Professional Qualifications
- NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications
- NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program
- NFPA 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments
- NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus
- NFPA 1906, Standard for Wildland Fire Apparatus
- NFPA 1912, Standard for Fire Apparatus Refurbishing
- NFPA 1936, Standard on Powered Rescue Tools
The standards documents are available from the National Fire Protection Association and from the American National Standards Institute. DHS previously adopted 14 NFPA standards that remain in use today. All NFPA safety codes and standards are developed through a process accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The 200 technical committees responsible for developing and updating all 300 codes and standards include 6,000 volunteers, representing enforcing authorities, installers and maintainers , labor, research and testing laboratories, insurers, special experts, consumers, and other users.