NCJ Number
65990
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE POLICE FUNCTION WHILE PROTECTING A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT SCENE IS TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL ACCIDENTS WHICH MIGHT BE CAUSED BY VEHICLE CONGESTION AND TO PREVENT LOSS OR DESTRUCTION OF EVIDENCE.
Abstract
THIS POLICE TRAINING PAMPHLET POINTS OUT NECESSARY POLICE ACTIVITY BEFORE REACHING THE ACCIDENT SCENE INCLUDING TURNING ON LIGHTS AND SIREN TO ALERT MOTORISTS AND INCREASING SPEED, DEVELOPING A PLAN OF ACTION, AND EVALUATING THE CURRENT HIGHWAY SITUATION. FIRST AID AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION PRIORITIES TO BE FOLLOWED AT THE ACCIDENT SCENE ARE LISTED. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPER CARE OF THE INJURED AND ASSISTING INJURED PERSONS IN TRAPPED VEHICLES ARE GIVEN. THE REPORT ALSO DESCRIBES THE THREE CLASSES OF FIRES POLICE OFFICERS ARE LIKELY TO ENCOUNTER IN THESE SITUATIONS--THOSE INVOLVING ORDINARY COMBUSTIBLES SUCH AS CLOTH OR UPHOLSTERY, THOSE INVOLVING GREASE, OIL, GASOLINE, OR OTHER LIQUID FLAMMABLES, AND THOSE INVOLVING ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. THE IMPORTANCE OF A MULTIPURPOSE TRI-CLASS FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND ITS MAINTENANCE ARE DETAILED AND SPECIFIC, AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS ARE FURNISHED. USE OF AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR CIVILIAN VOLUNTEERS IS DISCUSSED AND THE NECESSITY AND VALUE OF PRESERVING EVIDENCE IS DESCRIBED. THE REPORT GIVES SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR USING ROAD FLARES AND SUGGESTS HOW TO PROTECT THE PROPERTY OF THOSE INJURED. TABULAR DATA, QUESTIONS, AND A RESOURCE TEXT ARE INCLUDED. (AOP)