The Safety Officer is responsible for monitoring and assessing all safety aspects of the Task Force during operations, pre-deployment, and post deployment. The Safety Officer’s main function is the reduction of injury and death. The Safety Officer works to reduce this potential for injury at all incidents, regardless of event size. The Safety Officer reports directly to the Task Force Leader.

The duties of the Safety Officer are:

• Oversee all health and safety aspects of Task Force activities and the fitness and welfare of Task Force personnel. This includes personal safety at the assembly point, in transit, at layover sites, and in the operational area;
• Ensure optimal safety and injury prevention is being practiced at all times, particularly during camp setup and function, training and during operations;
• Ensure the use of respiratory and other protective equipment at work sites;
• Ensure safe operation of motor vehicles, tools and other equipments;
• In cooperation with the Medical Director, investigating, completing and forwarding all reports regarding Task Force personnel injuries and illnesses to the appropriate organization;
• Immediate intervention when improper safety procedures are noted;
• Prepare records and reports;
• Successful completion of respiratory protection training and able to administer quantitative fit test;
• Develop and implement safety component of the Task Force Action Plan;
• Formulate and conduct regular safety briefings;
• Perform additional tasks or duties as assigned;
• Maintain and undertake minor repairs for all issued equipment.

Skills Required

• Construction and/or Fire Officer Safety course(s);
• Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundations Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation basic level;
• Ability to manage a group of individuals within the incident command structure;
• Must have sufficient skills to develop a written or verbal report on the safety plan for the operation;
• Must be able to deploy by ground or air (fixed and rotary wing).

Skills Desired

• NFPA or equivalent training in any of the following courses:
  • Confined Space Rescue
  • Rope Rescue
  • Swift Water Rescue
  • Trench Rescue
  • Fire Officer
  • Safety Officer
  • Critical Incident Stress
  • Hazardous Material Training;
• Structural Collapse training at a technician's level equivalent to NFPA 1670 (Rope rescue, Confined Space, Trench Rescue);
• Official training in Incident Command System (ICS 100, ICS 200 etc...);
• Previous management experience in emergency response or military;
• Knowledge of applicable WH&S regulations and NFPA standards including, but not limited to, respiratory, head, foot, hand, eye, and face protection;
• Knowledge of the principles of risk management;
• Knowledge of proper accident investigation techniques and considerations;
• An awareness of public health and industrial hygiene considerations.