With respect to the success of a safety program, a constant challenge for you is to:

• A. Discipline firefighters who violate safety procedures
• B. Set a good example
• C. Produce a periodic safety bulletin
• D. Provide data to the safety officer

Answer: (B)

Setting a good example is the main lever for a successful safety program. When you consistently demonstrate safe practices—correct PPE use, following procedures, careful risk assessment, and deliberate decision-making—you show that safety isn’t just a rule but a daily habit. This visible commitment from you as a leader creates trust and credibility, encouraging crew members to adopt the same careful conduct, report hazards, and engage in safety discussions. Discipline, while necessary to address violations, doesn’t by itself build the ongoing culture; it reacts to problems rather than prevents them. Similarly, producing periodic bulletins or providing data helps inform, but without your demonstrated commitment, those tools don’t drive real change. Your actions set expectations, shape norms, and sustain the safety program over time.