Hoffman Estates Fire Department Standard Operating Guidelines (PDF)

HOFFMAN ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES SOG Category & Identification Number: EFFECTIVE DATE: SAFETY GUIDELINES – 006 January 1, 2022 NIMS COMPLIANT SOG Title: Re...

HOFFMAN ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES SOG Category & Identification Number: EFFECTIVE DATE: SAFETY GUIDELINES – 006 January 1, 2022 NIMS COMPLIANT SOG Title: Responses to Potentially Violent Incidents Revision: 1 APPROVED BY: NUMBER OF PAGES: Re-evaluation Date: Alan Wax January 1, 2024 Fire Chief 2 PURPOSE The following policy is intended to ensure the protection of Fire Department personnel operating at medical, fire or other emergency incidents that, by their nature, are or may become a violent scene situation. DEFINITIONS POLICY Fire Department units responding to potentially violent scene situations shall stage at least one block from the incident location until they are advised by the fire dispatcher that the scene has been secured by the Police Department. Units shall advise the fire dispatcher when and where they are staged. Units shall remain staged until the fire dispatcher advises them that the scene has been secured by the Police Department. Operational Guideline – 001 requires the fire dispatcher to request police assistance at the scene of any potentially violent scene situation in conjunction with the dispatch of fire or EMS equipment. Potentially violent incidents may include, but are not limited to the following:  Domestic Violence Incidents  Shooting or Stabbing Incidents  Battery or Fight Incidents  Incidents Involving Drugs/Alcohol  Reports of Injuries Due to Unknown Causes  Suicide Attempts 1 PROCEDURE Company personnel shall take all necessary precautions to avoid exposing themselves to violent scene situations. Should an incident escalate into a violent or potentially violent situation, personnel shall retreat to a safe area, request immediate police assistance (stating the potential or actual problem), and remain in the safe area until the scene is secured by the Police Department. If patient treatment is occurring when scene safety deteriorates, providers shall attempt to relocate the patient to a safe area if at all possible. EXCEPTIONS REFERENCE DEFINITIONS End of Document 2