Who is responsible for determining when it is safe to remove SCBA during overhaul operations?

The safety officer is responsible for determining when it is safe to remove Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) during overhaul operations. This role is focused on monitoring the safety conditions at the incident scene, including air quality and potential hazards that could affect the health and safety of firefighters. Because the safety officer is trained to assess these risks, they can make informed decisions about when it is safe for personnel to remove their SCBA, ensuring that the firefighters do not expose themselves to harmful environments.

This responsibility cannot be left solely to each firefighter based on their discretion, as individual judgment may vary, and not all firefighters may be equally aware of the hazardous conditions present. Likewise, while the incident commander and chief officer play crucial roles in overall scene management and safety, the specific task of monitoring air quality and determining the safe removal of SCBA typically falls within the purview of the safety officer, making this option the most appropriate choice.