# Presentation: 285577

## SAFENET

*A **Better** Way to Communicate*

## SAFENET: A Better Way to Communicate

- If you’ve got a concern, there is a way for you to be heard.
- It’s called “SAFENET.”

## What Is SAFENET?

- SAFENET is a safety reporting system designed for firefighters and endorsed by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG).  It provides another way for frontline firefighters to be heard and get unsafe situations recognized and resolved.

## Why Was SAFENET Developed?

- SAFENET is a response to many requests from field fire managers and firefighters for a way to identify and pursue safety issues.
- SAFENET also documents issues and will help identify long-term trends and problems.

## SAFENET-- A Place To Turn

- In the past, there was no formal channel for fire personnel to express their concerns.
- If you were aware of a potentially dangerous tactic or situation, you may not have known where to turn.

## SAFENET Is Your Voice

- That’s why SAFENET was developed.
- You have a voice on the incident.  We want to hear it.

## SAFENET

- It takes about ten minutes to fill out.
- It could save a life.  Maybe even your own.

## SAFENET

- Since the fire season of 2000, all firefighters have had access to SAFENET.

## SAFENET

- Anyone can file a SAFENET.  Firefighter.  Truck driver.  Camp crew.  IMT members.

-  SAFENETS can be filed almost anytime, almost anywhere.

## SAFENET

- SAFENETS can be filed  electronically, by mail, or by phone.

## SAFENET

- SAFENETS can be turned into almost anyone -- the incident commander, a fireline safety officer, your supervisor, the agency administrator.

## SAFENET-- Use It!

- No one will be penalized for writing a SAFENET.
- In fact, the opposite is true.  SAFENETS are encouraged.  The rule of thumb is, when in doubt, *write it up!*

## SAFENET And Confidentiality

- If you sign your name, the SAFENET may not be kept confidential.  Signing is your choice.
- If you don’t sign your name, though, there is no way to report to you what kind of corrective action was taken.

## SAFENET-- You Wanted It!

- SAFENET was designed by firefighters for firefighters.
- Remember, firefighters originated the idea that something like SAFENET was needed.

## SAFENET

- Sure, sometimes you’re exhausted on a fire.  *But that’s exactly when you and your peers need SAFENET the most.*

- Ten minutes can make a difference.

## SAFENET

- SAFENET will not make safety issues disappear.  It’s not a quick-fix for all problems.

## SAFENET

- But it is a start.
- It can make your difficult, dangerous jobs safer.  It is worth trying.

## SAFENET

- SAFENET is more than a form.  It’s a tool to communicate.  It’s a way that you can make a difference ... for yourself, and for others.

## SAFENET

- SAFENET is a system designed for sharing knowledge and mitigating hazards for all fire line personnel, regardless of agency.

## “Silence gives consent.”

*-- Oliver Goldsmith*

## SAFENET-- A Way to Be Heard

- SAFENET is your chance to be heard about fire safety issues that are important to you.
- Write up a SAFENET sometime.  Turn it in.  Get your answer.  See if it makes a difference.  We think it will.

## SAFENET

- The SAFENET system is intended solely as a tool for wildland firefighters and fire management. It's objective is to provide a forum for firefighters to voice their safety concerns, facilitate problem solving, and to aid in identifying trends as they relate to firefighter safety. Neither the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) nor its members, make any claims as to the accuracy or validity of individual SAFENETS.

## Getting in Touch

- Here’s How:
- Mail our Self Addressed, Stamped, paper form (available through the Cache System).
- Or, go to _[www.nifc.gov](http://www.nifc.gov/)_ on the web, click on the “Safety” link, and follow the directions to SAFENET.
- Or Call 1-800-000-0000