Risk Assessment in the Fire Service

Paper Summary:

The paper relates that in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, the level of acceptable risk changed and the public demanded action. The paper provides a review of some of the recent fire events that have sparked a public outcry and outlines what steps were taken in response to public demand. The paper shows how over time, public pressure tends to focus attention on the worst offenders in any type of disaster-related trends in an effort to raise the acceptable level of risk involved.

Outline:
Review and Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, many observers were heard to comment that, "Things would never be the same again," and in many ways they were right. One of the more pressing issues to emerge since September 11 has been the call for improved security and communications across the country to help first responders better cope with the mayhem and chaos that are natural concomitants of such events. Establishing an acceptable level of risk for fire hazards following the highly publicized collapse of the World Trade Center is a risk assessment responsibility, but it has been heavily influenced by the risk management demands of all of the stakeholders involved, which is to say the American public."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Ben-Joseph, E., & Szold, T. S. (2003). Regulating place: Standards and the shaping of urban America. New York: Routledge.
• Bocking, S. (2004). Nature's experts: Science, politics and the environment. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.
• Brunacini, A., Stormant, S., & Kreis, S. (2008). It's not OK to die in structure fires. PennWell Publishing. Retrieved January 2, 2008 from http://www.fireengineering.com/ display_article/139782/25/ARCHI/none/FYI/FDIC-Classroom-Sessions.
• Buell, F. (2003). From apocalypse to way of life: Four decades of environmental crisis in the U.S. New York: Routledge.
• Crane, E. H., & Boaz, D. (2003). Cato handbook for Congress: Policy recommendations for the 108th Congress. Washington, DC: Cato Institute.

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