FIIRE Program Requirements

Fire Departments that participate in the FIIRE Program will be eligible for a premium rate reduction of 10% for risk class 6904. They can also apply for equipment grants during the application period.

Fire Departments that did not participate in FIIRE the prior year must review their worker’s compensation costs and assess their safety and health programs using the Vulnerability Assessment Program (VAP) survey.

FIIRE Program Elements and Timeline

During the first year of participation, all Fire Departments commit to:

Letter of Intent

  • Make a decision regarding participation in the FIIRE Program in coordination with the department’s fire chief, designated union official, and jurisdictional authority.
    • Decision to participate in the FIIRE Program:
      • Submit a Letter of Intent signed by the department’s fire chief, designated union official, and jurisdictional authority.
      • Submit an Application and sign a Memorandum of Participation

Re-Enrollment

  • Departments that wish to continue in the program at the conclusion of the first year of participation must submit a newly signed memorandum of participation annually.

Withdrawal

  • Decision to withdraw from the FIIRE Program:
    • Submit letter declining participation, including information on the basis for decision and signature of those that enrolled the department into the program.

Self-assessment

  • Assess the Fire Department's safety and health programs using the Vulnerability Assessment Program (VAP) survey results.
  • Share the VAP results with Union Representative and Jurisdictional Authority.
  • Refine their Accident Prevention Program (APP) and other policies and procedures based on VAP results.

Strengthen safety committee

  • Strengthen safety committees by participating in L&I provided proactive risk management training to improve the ways in which hazards are assessed and mitigated.
  • Optimize safety committee activities based on training, including applying proactive risk management principles to hazard identification, incident investigations, and injury/near-miss reporting.

Safety Improvement Plan

  • Develop and implement a tailored Safety Improvement Plan (SIP) that integrates self-assessment results, risk management training, and safety and health best practices to address carcinogen exposures and musculoskeletal disorders such as those related to patient transport and equipment handling.
  • Actively monitor and adjust the SIP for effectiveness.

Return to Work Programs

  • Develop plans to incorporate Return to Work, including consideration of the Stay at Work incentive program, to improve outcomes for injured fire fighters and mitigate time-loss costs to the department.

Firefighter Health and Safety Collaborative

Quarterly Reporting

  • Submit three quarterly progress reports and an end of year report to L&I.

Timeline

Open the timeline to see the overview.

Timeline chart for each quarter of the process.

FIIRE Grant Program

About the FIIRE Grant Program

The Firefighter Injury and Illness Reduction (FIIRE) Grant Program awards grants to employers of firefighters to purchase additional equipment or gear to implement safety and health best practices. The grant program is part of the FIIRE Program safety initiative to reduce incidence of firefighter occupational injuries and illnesses through proactive risk management and implementation of best practices.

A key requirement of the FIIRE Program is the development and implementation of a Safety Improvement Plan (SIP). Each fire department’s SIP will be based on self-assessment results, risk management training, and safety and health best practices to address carcinogen exposures and work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

The FIIRE Grant Program, provides funding to FIIRE Program participants to purchase equipment or gear to help them implement their SIP. The funds can be used to purchase equipment or gear used to mitigate exposure to carcinogens or work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Resources

Use the resources on this page as you participate in the FIIRE Program. For general information about fire fighting health and safety, see our fire fighting industry page.

Accident Prevention Program

Carcinogen Reduction Best Practices

Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention

Return to Work Program/Policies

Safety Committee

Vulnerability Assessment Program (VAP)

For more assistance, attend a virtual Safety & Health workshop, or contact DOSH Consultation for free assistance with building your APP, risk management, and other safety & health needs.