NFFF Response to Violent Incidents: Nine Questions You Should Ask

Emmitsburg, MD – Do you know the nine questions you should ask that could help keep you and your firefighters out of harm’s way in a potentially violent situation? As the tragic events in Webster, NY showed, not every violent incident can be anticipated. But fire, EMS, and law enforcement experts agree that being prepared can often make a difference.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is joined by the IAFC, CFSI, NFPA, and NVFC in this new effort to get fire chiefs, company officers and firefighters to ask critical questions that will help evaluate a department’s ability to effectively deal with a violent situation. Nine Questions You Should Ask is the work of Chief John Oates of East Hartford, CT, based on the report from a focus group of fire, EMS and law enforcement leaders held last year in Baltimore. That report has identified 14 National Recommendations to identify potential risks and stay safe. The full report is available here, www.lifesafetyinitiatives.com/12/FLSI12_FinalReport.pdf.

Chief Oates has also has written an article summarizing the efforts of these fire service organizations and leaders to develop tools for firefighters as part of Firefighter Life Safety Initiative #12, Violent Incident Response.

Below is a summary of Nine Questions You Should Ask. Detailed information on the questions and resource material, including the final report, are available at http://www.everyonegoeshome.com/news/2013/violentincidents_011113.html

Nine Questions You Should Ask

Do you use risk/benefit analysis for every call?
Do you have an effective relationship at all levels with the law enforcement agencies in your community?
How good is the information you get from your dispatcher?
Do you allow members to “first respond” directly to the scene?
Does your law enforcement agency use an incident management system?
When responding to a potentially violent incident, do you seek out a law enforcement officer when you arrive?
Have you told your fire officers/personnel that it is OK to leave the scene if things start to turn bad?
Is there a point where you don’t respond or limit your response to violent incidents?
Is your uniform easily mistaken for law enforcement?

Tags: scene safety, violence

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Permalink Reply by The Cannulator on January 31, 2013 at 9:27pm

Got any Ambulance recommendations?

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Permalink Reply by Skip Kirkwood on February 1, 2013 at 8:07pm

I can't think of one of the points made that is not equally valid for non-fire EMS providers and EMS calls. Teamwork and good incident management skills enhance the safety of everyone involved.

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Permalink Reply by The Cannulator on February 1, 2013 at 10:11pm

Agreed skip. I just wish it came from an ambulance source. Just sayin.

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Permalink Reply by Skip Kirkwood on February 3, 2013 at 6:50am

Oh yes. Well, we don't HAVE a national EMS resource in the United States. And since the fire guys run most of our first response, and some of the ambulance, I'm glad that somebody is paying attention to our well-being.

Or, the rest of us could get together enough to have the resources to "do" for ourselves. But there are too many people making too much money from doing things "different" and "independent" to every see that happen.