Possible/Confirmed Crime Scenes

[colin911]

Just wondering what other dept's do when involved with crime-related medical calls or suicides. Do you wait for police? Do you go in with Ambulance? Do you wait until police have gone in first?

I've been to at least 6 suicides, but I just went to my fourth "code-red" (crime-related) medical call last night for a stabbing victim ... 17 years old, probably going to die in hospital. We arrived on scene with police and ambulance at the same time. There was a lot going on, police trying to round up potential suspects, lots of bystanders and just general chaos. Pretty overwhelming when all of that is going on.

Any other stories of similar events???

[g-01]

Our policy for crime scenes is to wait for the police. We have had "domestic disputes" where we had to wait for the police to clear the house before we could enter. The police are usually quick to arrive when these kinds of calls come in so it doesn't delay us greatly. It is a little intimidating to have three or four officers (and usually a seargant) hovering around while you work. Of course there is always the report imediately after, then the nerve wracking call backs from the investigating officer,,,,,,,,,,,

Just give me a regular old grass fire anytime.


Scotty

[TiSme]

Our policy is also to wait for the police. I have yet to be to a call where the policy have not already arrived on scene. In those cases they have always been there first.

[bestcoast]

We have a wait for Police policy. Generally we wait a block away with ambulance. When police haved secured the scene they give us the go ahead to approach the scene. I have been first onscene to three homicide's in my career and we have had to do a full written statement on everything we saw and did and of course been interviewed by detective's and sometimes called to testify in court. Recently there have been a lot of high profile shootings and stabbing's in our downtown core, something i could really do without but it's part of the job......cheers.........

[Whitewater_419]

We've answered a couple of (possible) arson calls, where we obviously have to put out the fires, but it's probably worth mentioning a mistake I made to avoid others doing it:

When I got on scene, we already had an attack team in an outdoor structure, watering down the hotspots. There was a pile of firewood in a pit in the centre of the area, which was still smoking - thinking I was being helpful, I started moving the logs out of a stack to allow for better water penetration when I was told to leave the area because I was disturbing a possible crime scene. What I *should* have done (and do now) is first ask the commander on scene if this was a crime scene or not (and watching our deputy chief and chief show the police officer how the fire probably started and what the people responsible probably did to make it happen, based on the position of everything and burn patterns made me realize how important it is to not disturb evidence)

I'm sure this type of mistake isn't made by those with years of experience, but probably worth pointing out to the newer FF's on scene, whether or not it's a possible crime scene or not :/

-Marc

[Kanadiana]

Hi,

This thread made me curious as to what might be in it so I checked it out and am glad I did because you people gave me a fuller picture of things that happen with your jobs, things you all have to deal with other than obvious firefighting and medical attention. Many things never "occurred" to me such as having to deal with "crime scenes processes court things etc"

It must be so frustrating and interfere a lot with you people to just simply, immediately and efficiently performing your jobs.

SO much to consider, it seems, when taking on jobs that save/serve/protect etc

BTW ... in CANADA ... is it standard with ALL fire dept's in all communities to have/provide "debriefing" for workers after going out on bad calls? Sounds like in the States its a choice of the individual dept's about having these supports and services available???

Thanks for any feedback :)

And THANKS for what you all do for the rest of us, for sure!

[colin911]

I'm pretty sure that CIS is available from most departments. For us, we have a CIS team that is made up of other firefighters that have had special training. We are able to call them at work or at home. If, however, you're not comfortable talking with someone you know, there is also the Employee Assistance Program ... it's anonymous and free of charge. I would be really surprised if other dept's don't offer the same thing.

Colin

[Kanadiana]

Originally posted by colin911
I'm pretty sure that CIS is available from most departments. For us, we have a CIS team that is made up of other firefighters that have had special training. We are able to call them at work or at home. If, however, you're not comfortable talking with someone you know, there is also the Employee Assistance Program ... it's anonymous and free of charge. I would be really surprised if other dept's don't offer the same thing.

Colin

Thanks for the response Colin. I think we (Canada) have this more available than the States. I really like the idea of crew member s being trained and being there for each other. the work brings so much thats so intense and traumatic :( sometimes. I imagine it builds up, cumulative effects, one upon another. We're human first! I also like the "makes senseness" of it all and imagine many would want to start opening up with something like the Employee Assiistance Program.

Again ... thanks!

Kanadiana sends :)