Safety Officer, Field

SOFF Incident Position Description

The Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) is responsible for monitoring operations on an incident from a risk management perspective to provide for the welfare of incident resources and the public. The SOFF can be assigned to incidents of any complexity level; may serve as the primary or only safety officer on initial and extended attack incidents reporting to the Incident Commander (IC); or function as a subordinate safety officer on complex incidents, assigned to a geographic area within the incident. The SOFF works in the Command functional area.  

Prepare and Mobilize

• Ensure individual readiness.
• Gather critical information pertinent to the assignment.
• Travel to and check in at assignment.
• Obtain briefing from previous shift/assignment position, as necessary.

Build the Team

• Interact with all incident personnel to build trust and develop positive interpersonal relationships.

Perform Safety Officer, Field-Specific Duties

Identify Risk

• Obtain computer analytics and modeling of the incident.
• Attend briefings and review the operational plan to understand overall tactics and strategy.
• Compare analytic and briefing information to incident reality (ground truth).
• Work with operational resources to verify location and description of values at risk.
• Monitor incident operations to identify risks and hazards.
• Monitor overall health and well-being of incident personnel.
• Monitor high-risk activities and common denominator mechanisms of injury.
• Serve as a consultant for the Division/Group Supervisors (DIVS).

Assess Risk

• Evaluate the likelihood (probability) of identified hazards impacting incident personnel and the public.
• Evaluate the severity of the potential consequences/risks to incident personnel and the public.
• Prioritize hazards.
• Gauge the level of responder risk.
• Evaluate strategies and tactics to determine if they are still commensurate with the risk involved.
• Regularly report observed field information back to the Incident Management Team (IMT) Safety Officer/Incident Commander (IC) so they can complete their initial and ongoing risk assessments.

Mitigate Risk

• Recommend mitigations to influence severity/probability of hazards.    
• Evaluate the effectiveness of mitigations and adjust accordingly.
• Assist Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS) with safety-related needs.
• Monitor and engage with the public as needed.
• Coordinate with medical resources.
• Present safety message at division/group breakout briefing.
• Stop and correct unsafe acts or conditions.
• Evaluate adequacy of resources to manage an Incident Within an Incident (IWI).
• Review and evaluate the process for an Incident Within an Incident (IWI).
• Support the Incident Within an Incident (IWI) response.

Communicate and Coordinate

• Attend, participate in, and/or conduct briefings.
• Provide and receive Incident Command Post (ICP) feedback and updates.
• Actively engage with field resources.
• Manage conflict and facilitate difficult conversations regarding safety. 

Document

• Complete all administrative tasks and documentation in an accurate and timely manner.

Demobilize

• Coordinate an efficient transfer of duties and outline any issue or unresolved items.

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