ID
2-509-1441
Name
Safety Officer (NQS)
Status
Published
Version
2.0
Updated
6/14/2021 11:05:55 AM
Original Release
11/07/2019
Last Major Release
06/14/2021
NQS Position
Resource Category
Incident Management
Primary Core Capability
Operational Coordination
Secondary Core Capability
 
Resource Kind
Personnel
Overall Function
The Safety Officer monitors incident operations and advises the Incident Commander (IC) or Unified Command on all matters relating to operational safety, including the health and safety of incident personnel.
Single resource
In conjunction with a NIMS typed team
NIMS Typed Team
Incident Management Team
In conjunction with a NIMS typed unit
NIMS Typed Unit
 
Description Notes
Not Specified
Supporting Core Capabilities
None
Types
Type Description
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: Develops and implements a transition plan based on escalating incident complexity
Type 3The Safety Officer: 1. Identifies incident-related hazardous situations 2. Identifies actions to mitigate risks and hazards with the greatest potential for serious accident or injury 3. Ensures the safety, welfare and accountability of assigned incident personnel 4. Exercises emergency authority to stop unsafe actions at any time 5. Investigates, or coordinates the investigation of, accidents occurring within the incident area 6. Conducts safety analyses and prepares reports on all incident facilities and locations, as necessary; communicates safety issues or concerns to incident personnel at shift briefings 7. Determines the need for subject matter experts or technical specialists to advise on or oversee unique safety issues or hazards, such as confined space, hazardous materials (HAZMAT), infectious diseases and so on 8. Assigns and oversees Assistant Safety Officers, technical specialists and subject matter experts, as necessary
Components
Component Notes  
EducationNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Not Specified
Type 2Not Specified
Type 3Not Specified
Training1. Identified equivalent trainings should meet or exceed course learning objectives. 2. The NIMS Training Program defines a national baseline to guide and promote NIMS training. It provides recommendations to assist Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) in developing their own training plans, tailored to their specific needs.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Completion of the following: 1. IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS-100 2. IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 3. ICS-300: Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents 4. ICS-400: Advanced Incident Command System for Command and General Staff – Complex Incidents 5. IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction 6. IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction 7. E/L 0954: National Incident Management System Incident Command System All-Hazards Safety Officer Course, or equivalent 8. United States Fire Administration (USFA) O-0305: Type 3 All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT) Introduction, or equivalent
ExperienceNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: 1. Successful completion of the National Qualification System (NQS) Position Task Book (PTB) for the NIMS Type 1 Safety Officer, or equivalent AHJ documentation 2. Satisfactory performance as a NIMS Type 2 Safety Officer 3. Satisfactory performance as a division supervisor or group supervisor, or equivalent supervisory experience
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: 1. Successful completion of the NQS PTB for the NIMS Type 2 Safety Officer, or equivalent AHJ documentation 2. Satisfactory performance as a NIMS Type 3 Safety Officer 3. Satisfactory performance as a strike team leader or task force leader, or equivalent supervisory experience
Type 31. Successful completion of the NQS PTB for the NIMS Type 3 Safety Officer, or equivalent AHJ documentation 2. Experience in incident management in a subordinate safety position
Physical/Medical FitnessThe NIMS Guideline for the NQS defines Physical/Medical Fitness levels for NQS positions.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Moderate
CurrencyA higher position is one for which this position is a prerequisite.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Functions in this position during a qualifying incident, planned event, exercise, drill or simulation at least once every two years
Type 2Same as Type 2
Type 3Functions in this position or a higher position during a qualifying incident, planned event, exercise, drill or simulation at least once every two years
Professional and Technical Licenses and CertificationsNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Not Specified
Type 2Not Specified
Type 3Not Specified
Composition and Ordering Specifications
Specification
Discuss logistics for deploying this position, such as working conditions, length of deployment, security, lodging, transportation and meals, prior to deployment.
Requestor specifies any additional qualifications necessary, based on incident complexity and needs.
14241424
Notes
References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 508: Incident Management Team
FEMA, NIMS 509: Incident Commander
FEMA, National Qualification System (NQS) Position Task Book for Safety Officer, latest edition adopted
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
FEMA, NIMS Guideline for the NQS, November 2017
FEMA, NIMS Training Program, May 2020
FEMA, National Response Framework, October 2019
National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), Position Catalog, latest edition published
United States Fire Administration (USFA), O-0305: All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT) Introduction, latest edition published
Published Versions
Version Publish Date Document Type
2.0 6/14/2021 11:05:55 AM PDF
1.0 11/7/2019 4:19:57 PM PDF