NCJ Number
76759
Date Published
1980
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This training key is designed to instruct police officers in observation, evaluation, and rescue techniques to be used in responding to fire emergency calls.
Abstract
Police officers are frequently the first to arrive at a fire scene, and they must be prepared and trained to make quick, critical decisions regarding the hazard evaluation and the possibility of rescuing trapped victims. This guide describes techniques which the officer can use to make those decisions. Initial police actions upon arrival at the fire scene are detailed, including traffic control; fire reports to the dispatcher; creation of fire lines; and observation of the exact location of the fire, the speed of its spread, the color of smoke and visible flame, and evidence of another crime. Hazard evaluation techniques to be considered before entering a burning building are described. They include evaluation of probable occupancy, evaluation of the chance of victim survival, and consideration of the proximity of the fire departments. Backdraft precautions and entry techniques to be used in an attempt to rescue people from burning buildings are also detailed. Finally, building evacuation techniques are discussed. A discussion guide regarding burns and burn treatment follows the text, and a three-item quiz and one suggested reading item are included.