Communicating On-Duty Illness And Injuries SOP 105.03

Question 1

To whom will the DFD have a procedure for communicating serious illnesses or on duty injuries of FD members?

Answer 1

Their families

Other members of the department

Question 2

Who will manage notification of the family and other department members?

Answer 2

Assistant Fire Chief

Question 3

Who will determine the extent of the investigation of all serious on duty injuries or illnesses if caused by an on duty incident?

Answer 3

The Fire Chief and as required by applicable City, State, and Federal laws

Question 4

What are the 2 responsibilities of the shift battalion chief?

Answer 4

1. Provide follow-up at the hospital of on duty injuries

2. Notify the assistant fire chief

Question 5

Who is it the responsibility of the Assistant Fire Chief to notify?

Answer 5

Insure that any on duty relatives have been notified

Notify the Fire Chief

Question 6

What should the Assistant Fire Chief obtain from personnel records?

Answer 6

Information regarding emergency notification,; i.e., party to be notified

Question 7

How will initial contacts with family be made?

Answer 7

In Fire Department uniform and in a marked Fire Department vehicle whenever possible

Question 8

If the illness or injury is life threatening who may make the notification with the Assistant Fire Chief?

Answer 8

Fire Chief

Question 9

How should contacts with family be made?

Answer 9

In person

Question 10

How will initial out of town contacts be made?

Answer 10

By telephone

Question 11

What are 2 things that should be provided to the family once contact has been made?

Answer 11

Transportation to the hospital for the family members

Arranging child care for young children

Question 12

How can the Assistant Chief assist at the hospital?

Answer 12

Seek assistance from the hospital personnel to unite the injured member and the family members and have the doctor explain the member’s condition

Question 13

Who should the Assistant Chief appoint?

Answer 13

A Family Liaison Officer

Question 14

What should the Family Liaison Officer first obtain in order to provide information to the department concerning the patients condition/progress?

Answer 14

Permission from the family or the member involved

Question 15

How should notifications to the department be made regarding the patients condition/progress?

Answer 15

By email and pager

Question 16

What should notification by email and pager about the condition/progress of the patient include?

Answer 16

Indication as to whether visitors are appropriate

Question 17

When should subsequent patient updates be sent?

Answer 17

To every shift that the ill or injured member would have been on duty

Question 18

What may change in the notification regularity if the patients condition changes significantly?

Answer 18

Updates may be required more often

Question 19

What are the 2 goals of the investigation team?

Answer 19

1. Thoroughly analyze and document the events leading to the serious injury or illness
2. Make recommendations aimed at preventing similar occurrences in the future

Question 20

Who from the city will also serve on the investigation team?

Answer 20

City’s Risk Manager

Question 21

What is the secondary objective of the investigation team?

Answer 21

Obtain, document, and secure evidence which may be a factor in any regulatory actions or litigation resulting from the incident

Question 22

What is the investigation team report and all related documentation?

Answer 22

An internal FD administration report

Question 23

Who will serve on the investigation team as the departments internal investigation expert?

Answer 23

Fire Marshal

Question 24

Who will supervise and coordinate all witness interviews?

Answer 24

Fire Marshal

Question 25

Can the investigation team include any outside experts, outside agencies for technical consultation?

Answer 25

YES

Question 26

Can a member of the Denton Firefighters Association be a member of the investigation team?

Answer 26

Yes. A member of the DFA will be invited to appoint a member to the investigation team

Question 27

Who will determine the schedule and method of presentation for the final report of the investigation team?

Answer 27

Fire Chief