The responsibility for ensuring a safety culture of the unit must begin with the:

• A. Battalion chief
• B. Staff officers
• C. Training officer
• D. Company officer

Answer: (D)

Safety culture on a unit starts with the person who leads the crew during daily operations—the company officer. This leader translates safety policies into real-world actions, actively conducts risk assessments, ensures the team uses PPE and follows procedures, and coaches firefighters to make safety the default choice on every task. By modeling prudent behavior, enforcing standards, and addressing hazards as they arise, the company officer sets the expectations and norms that the whole crew follows. While battalion chiefs, staff officers, and training officers shape programs and resources, sustaining a safe culture at the unit level hinges on the company officer putting safety into everyday practice.