The Safety and Training Division is involved in a host of services concerning occupational health and safety and efficiency. They are outlined as follows:
Research and Development - The Division is responsible for conducting research and the evaluation of new products, technology, and available services. These range from design and purchase of fire apparatus to firefighting, rescue, and specialty team equipment. The development of new procedures and techniques is required to keep the department on the cutting edge of health, safety, and technology.
Health and Safety - The division shares the responsibility with every member of the department to ensure safe working and living conditions. The training chief is the designated department safety officer and health and safety program manager. The division issues and inspects all protective clothing, and is involved in the departmental compliance with a variety of federal and state standards. Members of the division are frequently designated as an incident safety officer upon arrival at an incident scene and are charged with the health and safety of personnel. The division manages the health and safety program department wide.
Emergency Management - Upon activation of the city emergency operations center, extreme weather, or a large and complex incident, the St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue Department may activate its Sub-Center. It is the responsibility of the Safety and Training Division to staff and coordinate the operation of this Sub-Center.
Apparatus Testing - The Division conducts and/or supervises the annual service testing of all pumping and aerial apparatus. Testing will also occur after any significant repairs have been completed to apparatus.
Reference and Video Library - The division maintains, updates, and supplies both stations' and headquarters’ libraries. This ever changing inventory is kept up-to-date to provide personnel with the latest information available. Video and editing equipment are maintained in the division to provide training and evaluation of techniques.
Research and Development - The Division is responsible for conducting research and the evaluation of new products, technology, and available services. These range from design and purchase of fire apparatus to firefighting, rescue, and specialty team equipment. The development of new procedures and techniques is required to keep the department on the cutting edge of health, safety, and technology.