310-04.pdf

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Standard Operating Guideline SOG 310-04 Vehicle Lock-Outs Issue Date: 05/21/2018...

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Standard Operating Guideline SOG 310-04 Vehicle Lock-Outs Issue Date: 05/21/2018 Effective Date: 06/21/2018 PURPOSE: To establish guidelines for the prompt removal of occupants or animals in vehicle lockout situations. AUTHORITY:  Fire Rescue Administrator SCOPE: This standard operating guideline shall apply to all Emergency Operations personnel. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A: Release from Liability PROCEDURE: 1. Response a. The closest available Rescue shall be dispatched to all reported persons locked in a motor vehicle. If the Rescue in the primary response zone is not available, then the closest Engine shall also be dispatched. b. The closest available Engine shall be dispatched to all reported animals locked in a motor vehicle. c. Upon arrival at any vehicle lockout incident, it shall be the responsibility of the first arriving unit to confirm that the vehicle is indeed occupied, and whether or not the vehicle is running with the A/C turned on. 2. Occupied Vehicle with NO Running A/C a. If an occupied vehicle is found with NO running Air Condition then this should be treated as a true emergency, and the following actions should be taken: i. Any occupant that presents with signs of compromise (i.e., perspiration, altered level of consciousness, etc…) should be extricated immediately and treated accordingly, without delay. 1. This shall include breaking a window of the vehicle with, or without, the owner’s permission. 2. When possible, break a window in a location that will not injure the patient. ii. Any occupant that presents without signs of compromise, then the most appropriate expeditious method of gaining entry to the vehicle. SOG 310-04 Vehicle Lock-Outs Page 1 of 2  1. This should include, but not be limited to, use of the “Jiffy Jack” Car Entry System or breaking a window. 2. Breaking a Window a. When breaking a window of the vehicle the owner’s permission may be gained. b. This is where professional judgement must be used and actions justifiable (the time of day and ambient temperature should be the primary factor). 3. Car Entry System a. A Fire Rescue personnel shall be assigned to continually observe and immediately communicate when the occupant presents with signs of compromise. 3. Occupied Vehicle with Running A/C a. If the vehicle is found to be occupied with the engine running and the Air Condition on, and the occupant presents without signs of compromise, then the following actions should be taken: i. If the vehicle owner requests Fire Rescue personnel to attempt to unlock the vehicle: 1. Ensure Fire Rescue personnel have the vehicle owner’s permission and have them sign the Release from Liability (SOG 310-04 Attachment A). 2. Fire Rescue personnel should then attempt to unlock the door(s) of the vehicle using the “Jiffy Jack” Car Entry System, or a similar tool if available. 3. If Fire Rescue personnel are unable to unlock the vehicle’s door(s), then POP-A-LOCK should be requested. ii. If the vehicle owner requests that a window be broken: 1. Ensure Fire Rescue personnel have the vehicle owner’s permission and have them sign the Release from Liability (SOG 310-04 Attachment A). 2. Only AFTER the Release from Liability (SOG 310-04 Attachment A) is signed should a window be broken to gain entry to an occupied vehicle with running Air Condition for an occupant without signs of compromise. Supersession History 1. SOG #2022, issued 04/01/1994 2. SOG #2022, issued 02/11/2013 3. SOG 310-04, clerical 05/01/2018 4. SOG 310-04, issued 05/21/2018 SOG 310-04 Vehicle Lock-Outs Page 2 of 2