08/19/2026
The "WHY"
Many NIOSH after-incident reports list "lack of designated hazard and collapse zones" or "failure to properly manage and enforce collapse zones" as causes to firefighter injuries or deaths.
The first recommendation of this NIOSH reports cites "Fire departments should ensure, when a collapse zone is established, that the collapse zone is properly managed and enforced by the division supervisor and/or assistant safety officer. Command should also consider designating exclusion zone(s) or no-entry zones as needed due to dangerous or hazardous conditions"
The Guardians' Line provides your safety officers and incident commanders with a tool to establish and maintain no-entry zones for situations on a fireground that are hazardous to your personnel.
NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
The Incident Safety Officer
Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative
IAFC - International Association of Fire Chiefs
Firefighter Injury Research and Safety Trends - FIRST
Firefighter Close Calls - Home of The Secret List
Fire Engineering
The Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library offers a diverse and extensive library collection that includes material in all areas of public health and disease and injury prevention, as well as other subjects including leadership, management, and economics. The collection can be accessed through any of the ph...
