Orlando Fire Department

Issue Date:

October 29, 2001

GENERAL ORDER
Applicable to:

Effective Date:

November 29, 2001

Number:

GO 2001-610-12

Approved by:

ALL OFD PERSONNEL

Charlie B. Walker, Fire Chief

Issued by:

Deputy Chief Randall R. Tuten
Fire Rescue Operations Bureau Commander
Subject:

Amends:

RESPONSE TO SCENES OF VIOLENCE
Reference

Rescinds:

SO 92-915-4
1.0

PURPOSE
1.1
This procedure is designed to establish a standard for all Fire Department units
responding to scenes of violence with injuries.
1.2

2.0

The Communications portion of this procedure is limited to situations where open
language is not advisable for safety reasons.

PROCEDURES
2.1
When Fire Department units are dispatched to a scene of known violence with
injuries, Fire Department units will determine whether there is a need to stage. If
staging is determined, the units will stage approximately three (3) blocks from the
scene on an adjacent street (out of direct line of sight, if possible) and wait until
the scene is secured by law enforcement. At all times, when approaching the
scene, the unit officer must evaluate the safety of the scene.
2.1.1

If Fire Department units are dispatched to a scene of violence that is
already secure, or assailant is not on scene, units will respond to scene as
an emergency response.

2.1.2

If the scene is not secure, the unit officer will determine whether the
responding units will stage until the scene is secure. If it is decided those
units will stage, the units will respond non-emergency to the staging
site. If, before reaching the staging site, the law enforcement agency
states the scene is secure, the response shall be upgraded to an emergency
response.

2.1.3

Once the unit officer has determined the responding units will stage, that
officer will change the portable radio to the appropriate, law enforcement,
talk group to monitor that agency’s response. He/she will leave the
mobile radio on the appropriate OFD TAC. The officer will advise the
law enforcement dispatcher that units are staging, giving the address of the
call. The dispatcher should then give the unit officer the unit number of
their responding unit. The unit officer will monitor that talk group until
the responding law enforcement unit advises they have arrived and
secured the scene.
GO 2001-610-12 Response to Scenes of Violence
Effective November 29, 2001
Page 1 of 2

 EXAMPLE:
OFD Unit Officer: “OFD E101 to OPD, responding to 439 S Magnolia”
Law Enforcement: “OFD, unit responding is 314”
OFD Unit Officer: “OFD, check”
2.1.4

During staging, OFD units will keep their radio traffic on the law
enforcement talk group to a minimum, speaking only to coordinate
response, or request an ETA. Plain talk will be used in place of codes and
signals by both agencies.

2.1.5

If the Dispatcher cannot establish the presence of victims, all units will
respond non-emergency to the staging location. If it is later established
that there are victims and the scene is secure, the response shall be
upgraded to an emergency response.

2.2

If upon arrival, the responding units are uncomfortable with the situation, they
should withdraw and stage approximately three (3) blocks away from the scene.
The unit officer should notify the law enforcement agency following the before
mentioned procedures.

2.3

In situations where Fire Department personnel are on the scene and acts of
violence are in progress, or the threat of violence occurs, they will:
2.3.1 Call for law enforcement assistance via the Fire Department dispatcher.
Open language should be used to describe the situation.
2.3.2

In situations where open language cannot be used, a call for law
enforcement assistance will include the following conditions:
Condition 1 – Family Disturbance
Condition 2 – Combative Patient/Person
Condition 3 – Armed or Dangerous Person
Condition 4 – Suspect Child or Elderly Abuse.

3.0

POSTING & RETENTION
Post and retain in accordance with G.O. 2000-601-01.

GO 2001-610-12 Response to Scenes of Violence
Effective November 29, 2001
Page 2 of 2