The Safety Division, under the direction of the Battalion Chief/Safety Officer provides policy for environmental, safety and health issues for the prevention of accidents, injuries, illness and fatalities. In addition, the Safety Division, with assistance from the Physical Fitness and Safety committees identifies safety programs, deficiencies and recommends safety policies.

The goal of the LAFD is to instill in all personnel that safety is everyone’s responsibility and it is our intent to develop a scope of safety that will be incorporated into our community through our schools, businesses and families.

Mission Statement and Division Functions

I. Mission Statement: To provide for the protection of the health and safety of department members through effective management, education, training, and programs. Development and evaluation of policies and procedures that prevent injuries, illness, and improve the health and lively hood of our members.

II. Division Functions:

• Manage Health and Safety Program, that complies with NFPA 1500, Standard for Occupational Safety and Health Program, NFPA 1521, Standard for Fire Department Safety Officer, NMOHS, New Mexico OSHA, and all LAFD FCDs, training policies and procedures. This program encompasses many facets of the Safety Division.
• Chair the occupational Safety and Health Committee.
• Chair the LAFD Fitness Committee.
• Manage and Coordinate CTT, and Micro-Fit testing.
• Manage and Coordinate Defensive driving classes, DDC, CEVO, Driver's License policy.
• Infection Control Plan and Training.
• Manage personal injury accidents, vehicle accidents, worker's compensation claims, return to work, and personnel rehabilitation.
• Develops, reviews, updates LAFD Fire Chief's Directives.
• Safety is responsible for emergency response, and must be able to function with in the Incident Command System.
• Safety must maintain a level of training that is acceptable by NFPA 1521.
• Work as Liaison between LANL and other outside agencies to provide proper and adequate emergency response, stand-by, and service.
• Assist with the Manage and Coordinate TRT.
• Assist with the Emergency Medical Technician training.
• Manage and Coordinate. Other programs can be but are not limited to: Hearing conservation plan, Personal Protective Equipment, Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, New Mexico Safe Drinking Water Act, Respiratory protection plan, FF Accountability system, Facility Safety.

III. Safety Division Objectives:

• The safety committee conducts research, develops recommendations, studies and reviews matters pertaining to the occupational health and safety program and makes recommendations to the Fire Chief.
• The physical fitness committee monitors the LAFD Fitness Program, and conducts research, develops recommendations, studies and reviews matters pertaining to the Fitness Program and makes recommendations to the Fire Chief.
• Safety is responsible for the physical fitness testing of all combat firefighters on an annual bases. This includes, daily fitness programs, ES&H annual physical, Wellness Center Micro-Fit testing, and all documentation and record keeping that is associated with its up keep.
• Safety is responsible for the providing annual drivers training to all LAFD employees, so as to meet NFPA standards, and comply with County Insurance's required drivers training.
• Safety is responsible for the development and upkeep of all infection control training, documentation, record keeping, and follow up testing of potentially infected persons.
  Safety works hand in hand with County Risk Management in proper investigation, documentation, and record keeping of all LAFD related accidents.
• Safety is responsible for making sure that all Safety related FCD's are written, or updated to reflect any NFPA, OSHA, standard changes.
  Safety provides risk management during emergency operations, and is responsible for FF rehabilitation on the scene of an emergency.
• The safety officer is not dismissed of any pertinent fire department training, and is accountable for maintaining such training.
• Safety works with LANL Staff in the coordination of specialized emergency stand-bys, which is required by new standards established in OSHA. Head of the oversight committee that establishes a means by which LAFD can provide specialized rescues in the field of: High Angle Rescue, Heavy Vehicle Extrication, Confined Space Rescue, Trench Rescue, Haz Mat response. The whole thing revolves around the establishment, training, documentation, and record keeping, of a Technical Rescue Team, (TRT).
• All documentation, and record keeping involved in providing update and initial medical training to LAFD members, whom are instructed by the Safety Officer.