Line of Duty Death: SOP S-1118

• Standard Operating Procedure S 1118 outlines administrative and investigative procedures for line of duty deaths.
• H.L. McMillen, Fire Chief, approved the procedure effective August 1, 1996.

Purpose

• An internal investigation must be conducted when a line of duty death occurs.

General Information

• A comprehensive and accurate internal investigation is required when a line of duty death occurs.
• Clear, mandatory guidelines are required because of stressful circumstances, and a Fire Chief's Board of Inquiry will be convened.

Instructions/Procedures

• Secure the emergency scene immediately.
• Access should be restricted to only those with an absolute need to enter or work in the area.
• Secure the fire incident scene immediately and treat it as a crime scene.
• This is until the fire cause is determined by Fire Investigators and the Board of Inquiry completes its on-scene investigation.
• Control of the scene/building must be maintained until all investigation needs are met.
• The Police Department needs to be notified for crime scene investigation assistance and provide 24-hour scene security.
• Assign a Mobile Command Post to the scene for logistical support for investigators.
• Incident notification must be ensured to Risk Management and other necessary agencies/persons to support the investigation.
• The FWFD PIO needs to be notified for photo/video support.
• All related/involved equipment must be secured and impounded, handled as evidence using chain of custody practices.
• Provide a scale drawing of the building if existing plans are not available, using City engineers, etc.
• A site for interviews and CISD should be established such as a fire station or the Fire Training Academy.

Interview Site Requirements

• All involved personnel must be held until each person is individually interviewed.
• A Chief Officer should be assigned as coordinator.
• A staff should be quickly assembled to interview and record statements.
• Statements should be treated confidentially and forwarded to the Board of Inquiry.
• Critical incident stress debriefing should be provided before releasing personnel.
• The Fire Alarm Office must assemble a complete record of radio communications and all incident-related records.
• The Fire Chief should appoint a Board of Inquiry to investigate the incident.
• The Fire Chief also outlines the department's objectives for the investigation, and appoints a chairperson.
• This Board must be established within 24 hours of the incident.

Board of Inquiry Composition

• The Board should be small but representative of the ranks, Divisions, and Employee Associations as much as possible.
• Board members should be relieved of normal duties.
• Board members should devote all of their time to the investigation until its completion, potentially taking months.
• A coordinator from the City Manager's Office should be requested.
• This coordinator should have the knowledge and authority to facilitate input from City departments and expedite the investigative process.
• Administrative support will be provided to the Board.
• This support includes but is not limited to comfortable accommodations, computer, audio/visual equipment, telephones, a stenographer and computer operator if needed, guidelines for conducting interviews, CISD support, and a standard set of questions.

Appointing a Liaison Officer

• Make protocol arrangements for representatives from the U.S. Fire Administration, NFPA, IAFC, IAFF, and NIOSH where required.
• Discuss any particular autopsy needs with the Medical Examiner's Office, such as a toxicology report, as referenced in FEMA pamphlet FA-156, Firefighter Autopsy Protocol.
• Ensure scheduling and dedicated space is provided for CISD support.
• Ensure the Board is not intimidated or influenced by outside departments or agencies.
• Ensure no statements are made until the Board delivers its report to the Fire Chief.

Board's general duties include

• On-site familiarization of the incident scene and actions that occurred.
• Ensuring all necessary photos and video documentation is completed.
• Reviewing written statements.
• Coordinating any necessary equipment testing with outside agencies such as SCBA, protective clothing, PASS devices, and radios.
• Preparing a written press release.
• The Fire Chief, Firefighters Association President, and Board of Inquiry Chairperson will jointly release information at the same news conference.
• Interviewing all involved officers/firefighters.
• Reviewing chronological dispatch reports.
• Viewing all personal protective equipment, including SCBA.
• Coordinating with staff/agencies to provide scale drawings of the structure involved.
• Constructing a time line sequence of events chart from communications chronology.
• Reconstructing the scene from statements (interviews/diagrams/designs).
• Writing report.
• Requesting Law Department review of final draft.
• Submitting report including lessons learned and recommendations from the Board.
• Reviewing report with affected families and involved Fire personnel prior to making report public.
• Fully utilizing all available resources, public and private.
• Resources can include NIOSH, National Fire Administration, IAFF, Centers for Disease Control, private agencies, universities, hospital research personnel, and independent testing facilities.

News/Media Information

• News and media information should be released solely by the Fire Chief or their designee.
• The information released should only include what was released by the Board, the Fire Chief, and/or the Medical Examiner's Office.
• The PIO should provide constant updated information on the status of the Board of Inquiry's work.
• When on scene, the PIO should select a site as close as possible but removed enough to accommodate news conferences and protect media and officials.
• The PIO should schedule regular news conferences at predetermined times to lessen the call volume from local, state, and national news groups.
• As much as possible, the Fire Chief or their designee should conduct these briefings.
• Dispel rumors quickly through providing instant correct information.
• Issue a summary of what occurred, using only known facts for an early press release.
• The PIO needs to be prepared for constant news media inquiry.
• Personally brief and update affected families.
• Schedule press conferences and provide as many known facts as possible through the Board of Inquiry, but do not guess.

References

• FEMA FA-156, Part L, Code of Federal Regulations, 42USC 3796 are referenced.