Which agency performs fatality assessment and control evaluation in the fire service?

• A. NIST
• B. NIOSH
• C. NFPA
• D. OSHA

Answer: (B)

NIOSH is the agency that conducts fatality assessment and control evaluation in the fire service through its Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program. When a firefighter line-of-duty death or serious near-miss occurs, NIOSH investigators go to the scene, collect data, interview witnesses, and examine factors such as training, equipment, procedures, conditions, and organizational elements to identify what contributed to the incident. They then publish reports with evidence-based recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths and injuries in the future. This work is distinct from OSHA’s enforcement role, NFPA’s codes and standards development, or NIST’s research and standards activities.