As former fire chief Dave Daniels characterized firefighting: "Firefighting isn't _______ it's merely risky."

The statement by former fire chief Dave Daniels emphasizes the intrinsic nature of firefighting. When he claims "Firefighting isn't dangerous, it's merely risky," he draws a distinction between the inherent danger present in firefighting and the concept of risk.

Danger generally implies a level of threat that is immediate or potentially harmful, while risk considers both the likelihood of a harmful event occurring and the consequences of that event. By stating that firefighting isn't dangerous, he suggests that the profession is inherently filled with variable degrees of risk, which means that while there are definitely dangerous elements involved, the focus should be on the operational risk management practices employed to mitigate that danger.

Understanding this perspective is crucial for individuals in the firefighting profession, as it highlights the importance of training, preparedness, and situational awareness in managing these risks. In the context of incident safety, recognizing the difference between dangerous situations and the associated risks allows firefighters and safety officers to tailor their approaches effectively to safeguard their teams and the public they serve. This conceptualization also encourages a proactive mindset in assessing situations rather than just labeling them as dangerous.