NIOSH Seeks Investigators for Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program

August 7, 2007 – The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Division of Safety Research (DSR) within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Morgantown, West Virginia, has two immediate openings for Safety and Occupational Health Specialists in the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program.

NIOSH is the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the Department of Health and Human Services. The NIOSH Morgantown facility is a national leader in occupational safety research to prevent job-related injuries. The Division of Safety Research serves as the focal point for the Institute’s occupational traumatic injury prevention and safety programs.

The NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program was initiated in 1998. The overall goal of this program is to better define the magnitude and characteristics of work-related deaths and severe injuries among fire fighters, to conduct field investigations of work-related fatalities, and to develop and disseminate recommendations for injury prevention.
NIOSH conducts independent investigations of line-of-duty fire fighter fatalities. Investigations are conducted for deaths under a variety of circumstances, including deaths that occur on the fireground, while responding to or from alarms, or while training or performing other non-fire emergency duties. The investigations involve site visits, interviews with fire department personnel, and interviews and meetings with other relevant parties. The program does not seek to determine fault or place blame on fire departments or individual fire fighters, but to identify steps that can be taken across the country to prevent future deaths and injuries. The investigation findings are summarized in an investigative report with recommendations for preventing future similar deaths or injuries. Health communication materials are developed from investigations of similar types of deaths. For example, documents have been developed summarizing findings and prevention recommendations from multiple investigations involving structure fires and fire fighters working along roadways.

Individuals interested in seeking a challenging opportunity and future career in the prevention of fire fighter deaths and injuries, and who feel they qualify for these positions, are encouraged to apply. Applicants must apply online at USA Jobs and follow the procedures outlined on the job announcement. The announcement will remain open until August 30, 2007.
Click here to apply.