S1026 PDF: Firefighter Injury/Death Notification Procedure

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE TITLE: ADMINISTRATION, SERIOUS INJURY / KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY INITIAL RESPONSE AND NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE NUMBER: S 1026 R2...

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE TITLE: ADMINISTRATION, SERIOUS INJURY / KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY INITIAL RESPONSE AND NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE NUMBER: S 1026 R2 EFFECTIVE: OCTOBER 16, 2013 REPLACES: S1026 R1 (07.12.11) Rudy Jackson Fire Chief ACCOUNTABILITY: ADMINISTRATION REVIEW CYCLE: ANNUAL Purpose: U U To establish notification and response procedures where a firefighter is seriously injured or killed in the line of duty. Definition: U Designated Fire Department Member: A member previously selected by the firefighter (in Telestaff) to be U U the individual who notifies their Emergency Contact if they are seriously injured or killed. Emergency Contact: A family member or friend identified on FD 013 as the individual to be notified if a U U firefighter is seriously injured or killed. General Information: U A. The serious injury or line of duty death of a firefighter is a very traumatic and highly emotional event. Maintaining a high level of professionalism and the use of self-control by all members of the fire department is vital during this stressful time. B. The primary areas to manage and control are as follows: 1. Notification of person listed as the firefighter’s emergency contact. 2. Confidentiality of information in regard to the injured or deceased firefighter and his/her family is based on their wishes or instructions. 3. Assure that the injured firefighter’s needs/requests are being met. 4. Limit accessibility to the injured firefighter, particularly in the emergency room, to family and designated fire department members. 5. Release critical information to key fire department personnel so that only accurate, timely and approved information is disseminated to the fire department, city officials, and the media via a single point of contact. Instructions/Procedures: U U A. Upon a serious injury of a firefighter that requires transportation to a trauma or burn center, the Fire Alarm Office will notify the Deputy Chief. B. Deputy Chief shall respond, or assign a fire department representative to respond, to the facility. C. Upon arrival, the Deputy Chief or fire department representative will establish command and will make contact with the emergency room supervisor. An assessment shall be conducted to ensure: 1. A reliable means of communication with the Department. 2. A meeting room or other area to accommodate people who respond to the facility. FORT WORTH FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE S 1026 R2 ADMINISTRATION, SERIOUS INJURY / KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY INITIAL RESPONSE AND NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE OCTOBER 16, 2013 PAGE 2 OF 2 3. Coordination with the Public Information Officer. 4. Additional staffing if needed i.e., fire company to post at entrances to the facility to inform and direct arriving family members, friends and fire department personnel. 5. Notification of the Fire Department Chaplain and a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) peer representative to respond to the hospital. D. Notification of the firefighter’s listed emergency contact will be accomplished in the following manner: 1. In the absence of a Designated Fire Department Member, the Battalion Chief or Deputy Chief will determine who will inform the person listed as the firefighter’s Emergency Contact of the situation. 2. The Deputy Chief and/or Fire Alarm Office will access the firefighter’s last known emergency contact. RUDY JACKSON FIRE CHIEF