General Order for Emergency Vehicle Operation 7/16/2024

General Order for Emergency Vehicle Operation

• Purpose: To provide guidelines for safe operation of emergency vehicles in emergency and pursuit situations.
• Policy: Escambia County Sheriff's Office vehicles will be operated in conformance to law and agency guidelines, with due regard for public safety.

Routine Response

• Definition: Response to situations that do not pose an immediate threat to human life, without activating emergency equipment.
• Guidelines:
  • Deputies will respond in a manner consistent with normal traffic flow.
  • Posted speed limits, traffic control devices, and signals will be observed.

Response to Hazards

• Definition: Response to situations that require expediency to eliminate potential hazards to the public.
• Guidelines:
  • Officers may activate emergency signal devices to allow orderly and safe transit through congested roadways.

Traffic Enforcement/Special Events

• Definition: Deputies may activate emergency signal devices during authorized special events and conduct traffic enforcement activities.

Emergency Response

• Definition: Response to emergencies within the agency's jurisdiction.
• Guidelines:
  • Deputies may operate an emergency unit in emergency mode.
  • Prior approval by a supervisor is not required.
  • Emergency signal devices, including sirens, revolving or flashing lights, and emergency strobes, will be activated.
  • Deputies may exceed the speed limit after weighing the risks of danger to life and property.

Pursuit

• Definition: Response to situations where the deputy has a reasonable belief that the fleeing subject has committed or attempted to commit a forcible felony.
• Guidelines:
  • Deputies are authorized to pursue vehicles when there is a reasonable belief the fleeing subject has committed or attempted to commit a forcible felony.
  • Stolen vehicles may also be pursued at the discretion of the patrol supervisor.
  • The decision to continue a pursuit must be based on the fact that the danger to the public is greater by not attempting to apprehend the suspect.

Pursuit Termination Techniques

• PIT (Pursuit Intervention Technique):
  • Deputies are encouraged to use PIT to bring an end to a pursuit as soon as practical.
  • PIT is only authorized when the deputy has received ECSO-approved training and is currently certified.
• Tire Deflation Devices (Stop Sticks):
  • Stop Sticks may be used during pursuits with supervisory approval.
  • Stop Sticks shall only be deployed by personnel who have received training and are certified.
• Ramming:
  • Ramming is not authorized against motorcycles or vessels unless the deputy is justified in using deadly force and has supervisory approval.
  • Moving Roadblocks:
    • The desirable speed of the suspect's vehicle is less than 50 MPH.
    • Risk factors, such as road conditions, pedestrian traffic, and other obstacles, must be considered.

Primary Unit Responsibilities

• The primary unit is responsible for continually evaluating the circumstances of the pursuit and terminating the pursuit if it exceeds the limits of this order or becomes impractical to continue.
• The primary unit will notify Communications of any changes in speed, direction of travel, traffic, etc.

Secondary Unit Responsibilities

• The secondary unit is authorized to pursue at a safe distance and assist the primary unit.
• The secondary unit will assume primary radio communications to allow the primary unit to concentrate on the suspect's actions.

Support Unit Responsibilities

• Support units will evaluate their assistance capability by considering distance, number of units, and speed and direction of pursuit.
• Support units will maintain a safe distance behind the secondary unit and reduce radio communications to a minimum.

Communications Responsibilities

• Communications will clear the radio channel for emergency radio traffic, notify the patrol supervisor, and advise all precincts of the pursuit.

Patrol Supervisor Responsibilities

• The on-duty patrol supervisor will assume responsibility for monitoring, upgrading, or terminating the pursuit.
• The supervisor will enforce pursuit policies as set forth in this order and direct emergency units into or out of the pursuit.

Intervention

• Intervention of a pursued vehicle will only be permitted when all other reasonable means have failed.
• Use of roadblocks is only authorized in extreme circumstances that justify the use of deadly force or to protect the public from imminent harm.

Termination of Pursuit

• The decision to terminate a pursuit will be made by the primary unit or patrol supervisor.
• Once the decision to terminate a pursuit is made, all units involved will immediately slow to the posted speed limit and turn off all emergency equipment.### Pursuit Termination
• Unless approved by a pursuit supervisor, all units must cease following a suspect vehicle if the pursuit is terminated for reasons other than apprehension.
• The primary unit must inform Communications of the pursuit termination, providing the exact location and last known direction of travel.

Reasons for Termination

• Pursuits will be terminated if they expose the public or deputies to more danger than the offense or conditions warrant.
• Pursuits will also be terminated if:
  • A patrol supervisor or ranking supervisor is unavailable to approve continuation within a reasonable time (1 minute).
  • A supervisor orders termination.
  • Visual contact with the violator is lost for more than a reasonable time.
  • There is no longer a belief that the suspect committed, attempted to commit, or is attempting to commit a forcible felony.
  • There is a clear and unreasonable danger to law enforcement officers, fleeing motorists, or other persons.
  • Radio contact with the Communications Section is lost.
  • Road, sea, time of day, weather, or traffic conditions substantially increase the danger of pursuit.

Individual Unit Termination

• Individual emergency units will terminate participation in a pursuit if they experience equipment failure or damage to their vehicle that creates a driving hazard.

Pursuit outside Escambia County

• Communications will notify the appropriate jurisdiction when a pursuit is near or has entered their area, advising them of the known criminal charges against the violator.
• If another jurisdiction assumes primary responsibility for the pursuit, ECSO units will relinquish their positions and follow at a safe distance.

Other Agency Pursuits

• When a pursuit initiated by another agency enters Escambia County, all guidelines and restrictions regarding pursuits apply.
• The ECSO patrol supervisor will assume the pursuit supervisory role regarding ECSO participation.

Vessel Regulations during Pursuits

• Vessel occupants must wear life jackets at all times during pursuit.
• The vessel operator may exceed posted speed zone limits or other regulatory zone limits after weighing the risk of danger to life and property.
• The vessel operator may disregard navigation rules after considering the likelihood of injury or damage to life or property.

Reports

• Deputies involved in a pursuit must document their involvement immediately after the pursuit.
• The primary deputy will initiate an original offense report with the heading "vehicle pursuit," including:
  • Initial charge(s).
  • Weather conditions and road surfaces at the time of the pursuit.
  • Population of the area(s) where the pursuit took place.
  • Other deputies involved.
• All other deputies involved will complete a supplement report on their involvement.
• The supervisor in charge of the pursuit will complete a supplemental report, including:
  • Supervisor's actions and involvement.
  • Description of any injuries.
  • Description of any damage to vehicles or property.

Administrative Review

• Every pursuit will be reviewed to ensure that policies are being followed and to make any necessary changes.
• The Uniform Services Section OIC will review all pursuits, and those that are not justified will be documented and forwarded through the Chain of Command.

General Order for Emergency Vehicle Operation

• Purpose: To provide guidelines for safe operation of emergency vehicles in emergency and pursuit situations.
• Policy: Escambia County Sheriff's Office vehicles will be operated in conformance to law and agency guidelines, with due regard for public safety.

Routine Response

• Definition: Response to situations that do not pose an immediate threat to human life, without activating emergency equipment.
• Guidelines:
  • Deputies will respond in a manner consistent with normal traffic flow.
  • Posted speed limits, traffic control devices, and signals will be observed.

Response to Hazards

• Definition: Response to situations that require expediency to eliminate potential hazards to the public.
• Guidelines:
  • Officers may activate emergency signal devices to allow orderly and safe transit through congested roadways.

Traffic Enforcement/Special Events

• Definition: Deputies may activate emergency signal devices during authorized special events and conduct traffic enforcement activities.

Emergency Response

• Definition: Response to emergencies within the agency's jurisdiction.
• Guidelines:
  • Deputies may operate an emergency unit in emergency mode.
  • Prior approval by a supervisor is not required.
  • Emergency signal devices, including sirens, revolving or flashing lights, and emergency strobes, will be activated.
  • Deputies may exceed the speed limit after weighing the risks of danger to life and property.

Pursuit

• Definition: Response to situations where the deputy has a reasonable belief that the fleeing subject has committed or attempted to commit a forcible felony.
• Guidelines:
  • Deputies are authorized to pursue vehicles when there is a reasonable belief the fleeing subject has committed or attempted to commit a forcible felony.
  • Stolen vehicles may also be pursued at the discretion of the patrol supervisor.
  • The decision to continue a pursuit must be based on the fact that the danger to the public is greater by not attempting to apprehend the suspect.

Pursuit Termination Techniques

• PIT (Pursuit Intervention Technique):
  • Deputies are encouraged to use PIT to bring an end to a pursuit as soon as practical.
  • PIT is only authorized when the deputy has received ECSO-approved training and is currently certified.
• Tire Deflation Devices (Stop Sticks):
  • Stop Sticks may be used during pursuits with supervisory approval.
  • Stop Sticks shall only be deployed by personnel who have received training and are certified.
• Ramming:
  • Ramming is not authorized against motorcycles or vessels unless the deputy is justified in using deadly force and has supervisory approval.
  • Moving Roadblocks:
    • The desirable speed of the suspect's vehicle is less than 50 MPH.
    • Risk factors, such as road conditions, pedestrian traffic, and other obstacles, must be considered.

Primary Unit Responsibilities

• The primary unit is responsible for continually evaluating the circumstances of the pursuit and terminating the pursuit if it exceeds the limits of this order or becomes impractical to continue.
• The primary unit will notify Communications of any changes in speed, direction of travel, traffic, etc.

Secondary Unit Responsibilities

• The secondary unit is authorized to pursue at a safe distance and assist the primary unit.
• The secondary unit will assume primary radio communications to allow the primary unit to concentrate on the suspect's actions.

Support Unit Responsibilities

• Support units will evaluate their assistance capability by considering distance, number of units, and speed and direction of pursuit.
• Support units will maintain a safe distance behind the secondary unit and reduce radio communications to a minimum.

Communications Responsibilities

• Communications will clear the radio channel for emergency radio traffic, notify the patrol supervisor, and advise all precincts of the pursuit.

Patrol Supervisor Responsibilities

• The on-duty patrol supervisor will assume responsibility for monitoring, upgrading, or terminating the pursuit.
• The supervisor will enforce pursuit policies as set forth in this order and direct emergency units into or out of the pursuit.

Intervention

• Intervention of a pursued vehicle will only be permitted when all other reasonable means have failed.
• Use of roadblocks is only authorized in extreme circumstances that justify the use of deadly force or to protect the public from imminent harm.

Termination of Pursuit

• The decision to terminate a pursuit will be made by the primary unit or patrol supervisor.
• Once the decision to terminate a pursuit is made, all units involved will immediately slow to the posted speed limit and turn off all emergency equipment.### Pursuit Termination
• Unless approved by a pursuit supervisor, all units must cease following a suspect vehicle if the pursuit is terminated for reasons other than apprehension.
• The primary unit must inform Communications of the pursuit termination, providing the exact location and last known direction of travel.

Reasons for Termination

• Pursuits will be terminated if they expose the public or deputies to more danger than the offense or conditions warrant.
• Pursuits will also be terminated if:
  • A patrol supervisor or ranking supervisor is unavailable to approve continuation within a reasonable time (1 minute).
  • A supervisor orders termination.
  • Visual contact with the violator is lost for more than a reasonable time.
  • There is no longer a belief that the suspect committed, attempted to commit, or is attempting to commit a forcible felony.
  • There is a clear and unreasonable danger to law enforcement officers, fleeing motorists, or other persons.
  • Radio contact with the Communications Section is lost.
  • Road, sea, time of day, weather, or traffic conditions substantially increase the danger of pursuit.

Individual Unit Termination

• Individual emergency units will terminate participation in a pursuit if they experience equipment failure or damage to their vehicle that creates a driving hazard.

Pursuit outside Escambia County

• Communications will notify the appropriate jurisdiction when a pursuit is near or has entered their area, advising them of the known criminal charges against the violator.
• If another jurisdiction assumes primary responsibility for the pursuit, ECSO units will relinquish their positions and follow at a safe distance.

Other Agency Pursuits

• When a pursuit initiated by another agency enters Escambia County, all guidelines and restrictions regarding pursuits apply.
• The ECSO patrol supervisor will assume the pursuit supervisory role regarding ECSO participation.

Vessel Regulations during Pursuits

• Vessel occupants must wear life jackets at all times during pursuit.
• The vessel operator may exceed posted speed zone limits or other regulatory zone limits after weighing the risk of danger to life and property.
• The vessel operator may disregard navigation rules after considering the likelihood of injury or damage to life or property.

Reports

• Deputies involved in a pursuit must document their involvement immediately after the pursuit.
• The primary deputy will initiate an original offense report with the heading "vehicle pursuit," including:
  • Initial charge(s).
  • Weather conditions and road surfaces at the time of the pursuit.
  • Population of the area(s) where the pursuit took place.
  • Other deputies involved.
• All other deputies involved will complete a supplement report on their involvement.
• The supervisor in charge of the pursuit will complete a supplemental report, including:
  • Supervisor's actions and involvement.
  • Description of any injuries.
  • Description of any damage to vehicles or property.

Administrative Review

• Every pursuit will be reviewed to ensure that policies are being followed and to make any necessary changes.
• The Uniform Services Section OIC will review all pursuits, and those that are not justified will be documented and forwarded through the Chain of Command.

Guidelines for safe operation of emergency vehicles in emergency and pursuit situations, prioritizing public safety and adhering to laws and agency guidelines.