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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOG 303.02 REVISED 11-2008-Incidents Involving Violence` ! I I IFire-Rescue 303.02 - Responding to Incidents Involving Violence Effective: 9/1/2002 Revised: 9/1/2003; 11/5/2008 A4-„ H4, Replaces: I. Guiding Philosophx Beaumont Fire & Rescue Services exists to protect persons, property and the environment from harm. This mission includes the application of our risk management philosophy to protect our personnel from the threat of violence at emergency incidents. II. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance concerning the safer response of fire department companies and members to incidents involving violence. III. Goals The goals of this policy are to communicate: A. Dispatch and deployment policy relative to potentially violent incidents. B. Field operations policy relative to potentially violent incidents. C. Situational safety awareness procedures to employ in potentially violent situations. D. General safety awareness reminders for potentially violent situations. IV. Definitions A. Code 3 - Beaumont Police Department code to be used by Fire Department personnel to alert the 9-1-1 Communications Center to dispatch law enforcement as "emergency assistance needed." To be used only when fire department members have no means of egress and are in danger of immediate injury. B. Emergency Button - orange button on department -issued 800mHz portable radios that may be activated anytime a member is unable to transmit that he/she needs emergency assistance. SOG 303.02 - Responding to Incidents Involving Violence Page 1 of 8 C. QQQ — Mobile Computer Terminal (MCT) code used to transmit the need for emergency assistance when an individual or crew is situationally unable to transmit any other information. D. Violent Incidents - any type of incident in which fire department members may be exposed to harm as a result of a violent or threatening act. E. 906 - Beaumont Fire/Rescue radio code used to transmit the need for emergency assistance when an individual or crew is situationally unable to transmit any other information. V. Dispatch & Deployment Policx A. For calls where the dispatcher knows or suspects that violence is involved, a Violent Incident Assignment (VI) will be dispatched. 1. VI -Level I — dispatch closest Engine or Aerial, Med Unit, and Law Enforcement 2. VI -Level II — add Chief's Car and additional responders to the Level I response (as required by the situation) B. Based on the circumstances of the violent incident, Fire Communications will dispatch units according to one of two modes: 1. Stage and wait for law enforcement to secure the scene. 2. Respond directly to the scene and proceed with caution. C. Fire Communications will collect as much information as possible and rapidly communicate that information to responding companies via radio or MCT. The Dispatch Supervisor will establish phone contact with 9-1-1 Communications Center and will relay the location of staged units to the 9-1-1 Communications Center dispatcher. Fire Communications will keep the 9-1-1 Communications Center updated as necessary until the scene is secured. D. 906 Radio Code or QQQ MCT Code Transmitted 1. When a unit in the field transmits the 906 radio code or the QQQ MCT code, the Fire Communications dispatcher will assume this is a Code 3 emergency assistance request. 2. He/she will not ask for additional information, only acknowledge receipt of the transmission with the unit designation and 906. (Example: "Clear Engine 4, 906"). 3. He/she will dispatch the balance of fire department units to form a VI - Level II response, and notify the 9-1-1 Communications Center to dispatch law enforcement Code 3. SOG 303.02 - Responding to Incidents Involving Violence Page 2 of 8 E. Code 3 Transmitted 1. When fire department and/or EMS personnel transmit a Code 3 request as outlined later in this policy, the dispatcher will dispatch the balance of fire department units to form a VI -Level II response, and notify the 9-1-1 Communications Center to dispatch law enforcement Code 3. 2. The dispatcher will attempt to determine the reason for the transmission and what type of law enforcement assistance is needed, and relay this to the 9-1-1 Communications Center. F. Emergency Button Activated 1. When an individual activates the emergency button on his/her portable radio, Fire Communications will first request a portable status check from the unit. 2. The portable status check will be transmitted two (2) times by Fire Communications before the initiation of emergency procedures. G. Once Fire Communications has determined the status of the unit, the dispatcher will notify the 9-1-1 Communications Center to either "Clear Activation" or "Respond PD Code 3" to the unit's last known location. If the activation is an actual emergency, he/she will dispatch the balance of fire department units to form a VI -Level II response. VI. Field Operations Policy A. Units Enroute 1. While enroute to the scene all members of the crew should be considering the violence potential of the type of call they are responding to. In all cases violence involving firefighters is possible. 2. If violence is suspected, Fire Communications will automatically contact the 9-1-1 Communications Center to send law enforcement support. Depending on the type of call, law enforcement may already be responding and actually be the first on the scene. 3. The first -in company/unit will proceed with caution as they respond. B. Establishing a Protected Working Environment 1. The first priority in arriving at the scene is to provide a protected environment for firefighters to work in. 2. All responding units will follow established staging procedures. 3. In all cases, the decision to stage or to go into the scene will be made by the first -arriving unit/initial IC. 4. The decision should be based on experience, what can be seen, what can be heard, what can be learned from the radio or MDC, information obtained from law enforcement, prior experience in the area—or other possible factors. 5. A shooting, stabbing, fighting (domestic or public) should be a red flag indicating more violence. SOG 303.02 - Responding to Incidents Involving Violence Page 3 of 8 6. A person down, suicide, overdose, and parties should be closely evaluated for potential violence. 7. Gang violence will receive automatic law enforcement dispatch. 8. Dispatch and on -scene personnel should not hesitate to call for law enforcement back up if something you believe about the call is potentially violent. C. Stnin2 & Size Up 1. Size -up starts as soon as you receive the call. Initial and follow-up information available from Fire Communications can be important. Things to consider: a. Is law enforcement on the scene? b. Nature of the call? c. Type of injuries? d. Drugs/alcohol/altered level of consciousness? e. Is a fight still in progress? f Number of units responding? g. Is the violent person(s) still believed to be on the scene? h. How many people are involved? 2. If the decision to stage is made, the first -in unit/Incident Commander will notify Fire Communications that the unit(s) are staged and update their location. This notification to Fire Communications is in addition to any other communications to or with law enforcement that the IC may initiate. When the decision to stage is made: a. Members should consider the hazards at hand and stage far enough away to avoid becoming part of the incident — out of line of sight and out of the line of fire for gunshots. b. Members should remember that the crowd itself may be a hazard. c. Units should turn off warning lights when staged and turn them back on when completing the response to the scene. Turning off warning lights while staging may reduce crowd attraction to the incident. The best plan may be to retreat if necessary to ensure the safety of crew members. D. At the Scene 1. If fire department units respond to an incident of an unknown nature and find themselves in a violent situation, they should immediately retreat to a safe location. a. Emergency traffic should be used if necessary for safe egress. b. Fire Communications should be alerted to notify the 9-1-1 Communications Center to update law enforcement on the current situation, or to initiate a law enforcement Code 3 response should the situation warrant it. SOG 303.02 - Responding to Incidents Involving Violence Page 4 of 8 2. The following general guidelines will describe how to secure a scene before mitigation efforts are started. These should be used whenever practical. a. String fire line tape to provide an established barrier between the firefighters and the crowd. Fire line tape is a good divider. It provides a control line for law enforcement to enforce. The tape is generally received well by citizens and should be considered to divide large crowds so that law enforcement can deal with the crowd. b. Call Law Enforcement to secure traffic and crowds. This is the primary responsibility of police at the scene of a fire department emergency. The ranking police officer should report to Command to coordinate law enforcement functions with the IC. The IC should explain to him/her what is needed to control the scene and request more officers if necessary. c. Provide for lighting when indicated. More serious violence occurs after daylight hours. All emergency responders will be able to see more of the scene and recognize potential threats when good lighting is provided. 1. In some unsecured violent incidents that involve patients (example SWAT Operations), it may be necessary for the police department or certified Peace Officer to deliver the patient(s) to Fire and EMS personnel at the perimeter. In these cases, law enforcement effectively becomes the Extrication Group. E. 906 Radio Code or 000 MCT Code Transmission 1. During violent situations where fire crews are at risk of danger/injury and need police assistance immediately, but the situation prohibits detailing why the assistance is needed, use the radio code 906 or the MCT Code Q. The codes 906 and QQQ imply a severe imminent threat to personnel, no explanation is necessary. 2. Fire Communications will immediately advise the 9-1-1 Communications Center that a fire unit has transmitted 906 or QQQ and needs Code 3 law enforcement assistance immediately. 3. The unit in the field will request emergency assistance via the 906 radio code by stating their unit designation and the 906 code. (Example: "Engine 4, 906"). 4. The unit can also press Q(LQ on the unit's MCT keyboard to request emergency assistance using the mobile computer terminal. 5. Fire Communications will not ask for additional information, only acknowledge receipt of the transmission with "Clear Engine 4, 906" for either type transmission. SOG 303.02 - Responding to Incidents Involving Violence Page 5 of 8 F. Code 3 Transmission 1. Code 3 assistance requests are utilized during a violent situation where fire crews are able to state the reason law enforcement assistance is needed emergency traffic. 2. The requesting Officer will provide situational details and/or what type of assistance is needed from law enforcement whenever he/she is able to do so. (Example: "perpetrator on scene with weapon"). 3. This information will be passed on to the 9-1-1 Communications Center and law enforcement responders and will help insure their timely arrival. G. Emergencv Button Activation 1. The orange emergency button is available as an alerting mechanism if units in the field need emergency assistance. 2. Fire dispatchers will attempt to quickly make two (2) attempts to contact the unit for a portable status check before initiating emergency procedures. If the button was accidentally activated, the unit should simply reply "OK" to the status check and the activation will be cleared. VII. Situational Safety Awareness Procedures A. Public perception is not always positive. Some people fear detection of criminal activity and do not respect us or our profession. They may be the cause of the injury and not want the patient to receive emergency care. Some danger signs: 1. Antagonism toward us. 2. Verbal abuse. 3. Lack of cooperation. 4. Passive and cooperative but your instincts tell you there is a threat. B. In other words, anyone may be a potential threat or danger. Uniforms sometimes can be threatening to certain people. Persons may confuse us with the police or may not like any type of authoritative figure. To prevent confusion about who were are, introduce yourself as a Beaumont firefighter as soon as possible. Especially when dealing with customers with an altered level of consciousness (for whatever reason), we should introduce ourselves as Beaumont firefighters, tell them we are there to help, and ask what we can do. C. Weapons 1. Always be aware that a weapon may be on a person or near but out of sight. Train yourself to look for them — between car seats, waistbands, jackets, loose clothing. 2. Common Weapons — guns, knives 3. Makeshift Weapons — anything that wasn't designed to be a weapon, but could be used as one (baseball bats, etc.). D. Spotting the Apparatus (Residence) 1. Turn off the siren several blocks away if possible. SOG 303.02 - Responding to Incidents Involving Violence Page 6 of 8 2. Drive slowly and pass the house. 3. Spot the vehicle approximately 100 feet past the residence. This will allow us to approach the scene from a safe position. E. ADUroaching the Residence 1. Do not slam the door of the apparatus. 2. Keep volume low on the radio. 3. Gain information before entering the house. 4. Look and listen before entering the house. 5. Listen for arguments or fights — how many voices do you hear? F. Apartment Buildings 1. Keep the elevator door on manual so that it will remain open for emergency egress. 2. Check the stairwell to make sure it is unlocked to provide an escape route. G. Contact & Control 1. The firefighter making contact should stand on the door knob side of the door. This will require the person to open the door wide to see you. 2. If there is a screen or storm door, position yourself on the doorknob side of the inner door. Be subtle and non-aggressive in positioning yourself. Greet the homeowner with a friendly demeanor. 3. NEVER STAND DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF A DOOR. H. Entering the Structure 1. Introduce yourself. 2. Dogs — hold onto door knob, ask for the dog to be secured. 3. If you are asked to come in, ask them to open the door. 4. If they insist, ask them why they can't come to the door. 5. Consider the risks involved when looking into windows. 6. Scan the room for weapons, alcohol, drugs, signs of violence. 7. Look for makeshift weapons. 8. Look for signs of hidden weapons (bulges in clothing — watch their hands). 9. Keep the crew in sight at all times — Never leave a crew member alone. 10. Have at least two crew members together at all times. 11. Have the person who answered the door lead you to the patient. I. Separating Disputants 1. Remember, injuries from domestic disputes are often reported as accidents (falls with injury, etc.). 2. Don't stand between disputants. 3. Separate disputants by taking them to an area where they can't see or hear one another (at least two members with each disputant). SOG 303.02 - Responding to Incidents Involving Violence Page 7 of 8 J. Spotting the Apparatus when Approaching a Vehicle 1. Park apparatus to the rear of the vehicle (a full length from the vehicle). 2. Slight angle to driver's side — as a protection barrier from traffic. 3. Use safety cones when necessary. 4. Use safety vests. K. Interview Stance 1. If you suspect violence, stand at a partial right angle out of arms reach (they must turn to attack you). 2. Don't stand against a wall. 3. Don't fold your arms — indicates judgment. 4. Don't put hands in pockets — appears unconcerned. 5. Use physical barriers (coffee table, chair, etc.) between yourself and a potentially violent person. 6. Move people away from makeshift weapons. 7. If you see a weapon, call law enforcement VIII. General Safetv Awareness Reminders A. Do: 1. Pay attention to any information provided by Fire Communications. 2. Be aware of your surroundings and the signs of impending danger. 3. Display a confident/in control attitude (Command presence). 4. Always look for the informal or designated leader of a potentially violent group — visually monitor and, if possible, make a personal contact to ease tensions. 5. Clear the scene of materials that might stimulate violence. 6. Set up fire line tape to secure the perimeter. B. Don't: 1. Get lulled into a false sense of complacency (we've been here 100 times before). 2. Ignore the potential for violence on any call we respond to — including travel to and from the call, and trips back and forth to the apparatus while on scene. 3. Ignore your gut feeling — when it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. 4. Be confrontational — be confident, but not abusive to anyone or any group. 5. Be an easy target — call for help early and be prepared to bail when the need arises. 6. Be a dead hero. SOG 303.02 - Responding to Incidents Involving Violence Page 8 of 8