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ARE YOU USING PROTECTION?

 Billy    August 27, 2016    No Comments

I’m talking about on fire/EMS runs.
So there. 
Seriously-some interesting discussions going on in relation to what “acts of violence” related PPE fire and EMS personnel should have available, be issued or wearing.
Additional discussions continue about how quickly fire/EMS personnel should “attack” or “go in” to a situation-be it staging until the cops say it’s time to enter OR go in with the cops for rapid access, treatment/removal of the patient.
Our opinion? Glad you asked.
SIZE IT UP. 
And with your SIZE up, you then determine what’s best based upon the:
-CONDITIONS (What’ya got?)
-GOALS (What’ya wanna do?)
-RESOURCES (What equipment and people do you have right now to do THAT with?…What resources do you need…right now, in 10 minutes, in 20 minutes etc ?)
Of course, SIZE UP happens well before any incident (a/k/a planning ahead, training etc) as well as upon arrival-and it continues throughout the run.
Here’s what USFA/FEMA recommend, but again-see above.
https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/active_shooter_guide.pdf
So while generally we can always drill, train and plan ahead, the action taken at the time is based upon the above …and if the cops are on scene, in VERY clear communication with the cops…and if they are not, VERY clear communication with your dispatcher and each other.
ACTS OF VIOLENCE PPE
What about acts of violence related PPE? It can be said-and there sadly is proof-that any run we respond on-including fires-have the potential of us getting gunned down, attacked etc. Prince Georges County, MD, West Webster NY…you know what happened to them and others. RIP.
Some fire/EMS departments are now requiring their personnel to wear armor on all runs. The Manlius NY Fire Department (near Syracuse) now requires all personnel to wear issued 17.5 lb ballistic vests on EVERY EMS run. Check it out:
http://www.localsyr.com/video?videoId=540866598&carousel=1&index=3
Some departments have no related PPE, some have ballistic vests and are donned as needed and some, as you see above, require them for every run.
Below is a piece written about this issue by a former paramedic. While I definitely do not agree with all of his opinions/statements, it’s an interesting and important discussion just the same.
Just like at fires, I try to put myself in the position of the victims to determine the risk we will put our people in-and there are absolutely times where we must put our people at risk-extreme risk-and of course, there are times where we don’t. And just like at fires, those decisions are also based upon the question “if this were my family, what would I want done?”…once again, it’s all about pre-incident prep, size up, the resources (tools, equipment and people) and the related factors.
Check out this piece and consider how it applies to your FD’s policies and preparation:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/08/26/paramedics-are-taught-not-to-risk-their-lives-after-mass-shootings-they-should/?utm_term=.9e6c7423fd21

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