TFD Policy on Personnel Safety at Violent Incidents

Overview

• This document establishes the TFD's policy on personnel safety at violent incidents.
• Procedures include standing-by and summoning help from Law Enforcement using "Code Blue”.
• This document applies to all TFD personnel.
• The document is the original in the TFD modern format.
• There are no forms associated with this document.
• Refer to documents 5018 for Body Armor, 5027 for Civil Disturbances/Riots and the TFD Crime Scene Protection and Evidence Protocol for related information.

Responsibilities

• The TFD Safety Officer maintains this document.
• Incident Commanders must contact Fire Communications to ensure Law Enforcement is responding when a violent incident is identified.
• Incident Commanders are responsible for the safety of on-scene Fire/EMS personnel.
• All personnel maintain awareness of surroundings and exercise extreme caution, avoiding situations involving weapons.

Definitions

• "Code Blue" refers to someone in danger of bodily harm from a violent act, an active felony, or a dangerous suspect present, including situations where TFD personnel are being physically abused or in a major altercation, warranting immediate Law Enforcement response.
• A violent incident involves a shooting, stabbing, cutting, assault, or the possibility of physical harm from violence, or any incident where TFD personnel may be exposed to harm from a violent act.

References

• WAC 296-305-05001 (12) is a reference.
• Refer to City of Tacoma Policy No. 7.09, Workplace Violence Prevention Program to reduce the risk of workplace violence and promote the highest standard of health and safety for employees and visitors.

Rules

• Tacoma Fire Department personnel shall not take unnecessary risks at Violent Incidents.
• When on-scene TFD units identify a Violent Incident:
  • Fire Communications must be contacted immediately to ensure Law Enforcement is responding.
  • Fire/EMS personnel shall stay together as a group, treating only patients in plain view.
  • Searches for other victims shall not start until Law Enforcement Officers arrive and secure the area.
  • Fire/EMS personnel should withdraw from the unsafe area and stand-by if no patient contact has been made, notifying Fire Communications of their action and location.
• TFD personnel transmit "Code Blue" to Fire Communications if Law Enforcement Officers are needed immediately to ensure scene safety.
• "Code Blue" is not for routine requests for police, such as traffic control.
• First-due units stand by and await direction from Law Enforcement when dispatched to a Violent Incident/Crime Scene, all other Fire/EMS units stand-by, notifying Fire Communications of their arrival.

Procedures: Code Blue

• On-Scene unit procedure is to transmit their unit identity followed by "Code Blue" to Fire Communications (example: "Tacoma; Engine 12, Code Blue.").
• Fire Communications doesn't question the unit further, but immediately requests Law Enforcement to assist TFD personnel.

Procedures: Violent Incidents: Responding Units

• Units must stand-by at least 500 feet from the scene, out of line of sight or fire, notifying Fire Communications of their location.
• Report any information about suspects: descriptions, weapons, or movements.
• Proceed to the scene after Law Enforcement confirms scene safety which is normally transmitted from Law Enforcement Officers to LESA, then relayed through Fire Communications to units standing-by.
• If an on-scene Law Enforcement Officer directly notifies personnel face-to-face or over police frequencies that the scene is safe, inform Fire Communications before proceeding.
• If Law Enforcement considers the scene unsafe for Fire/EMS personnel, consider having Law Enforcement bring the victim to the stand-by location, unless movement would aggravate injuries.
• TFD Personnel may enter an unsafe scene to provide medical aid only after agreement with Law Enforcement, stating that without medical intervention, death of the patient is imminent, personnel must:
  • Ask Law Enforcement personnel if their In-charge Officer approves of TFD personnel entering the unsafe area.
  • Ensure that the TFD Incident Commander is aware that firefighters are entering the unsafe area.
  • Enter the unsafe area, escorted by Law Enforcement personnel.
  • Wear full protective clothing, including body armor if available and previously fit-tested.

Procedures: Violent Incidents: Fire Communications

• When dispatching units to a Violent Incident, direct all units to stand-by until Law Enforcement confirms scene safety.
• When the first-arriving unit announces a stand-by location, repeat the location for units en route.
• LESA must be advised of the stand-by location.
• When LESA relays a report by the on-scene Law Enforcement officer "to have aid units at staging report to the incident scene," direct Fire/EMS units to proceed.