scope:

This standard contains minimum requirements for a fire-service-related occupational safety and health program.

These requirements are applicable to public, governmental, military, private, and industrial fire department organizations providing rescue, fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous materials mitigation, special operations, and other emergency services.

This standard does not apply to industrial fire brigades or industrial fire departments meeting the requirements of NFPA 600, Standard on Industrial Fire Brigades. Industrial fire brigades or fire departments shall also be permitted to be known as emergency brigades, emergency response teams, fire teams, plant emergency organizations, or mine emergency response teams.

Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to specify the minimum requirements for an occupational safety and health program for a fire department and to specify safety guidelines for those members involved in rescue, fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous materials operations, special operations, and related activities.

Many of the performance objectives of this standard shall be permitted to be achieved in a variety of ways. The achievement of these objectives is intended to help prevent accidents, injuries, and exposures and to reduce the severity of those accidents, injuries, and exposures that do occur. They will also help to prevent exposure to hazardous materials and contagious diseases and to reduce the probability of occupational fatalities, illnesses, and disabilities affecting fire service personnel.

Nothing herein shall be intended to restrict any jurisdiction from exceeding these minimum requirements.