The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Out of Zone Response
I was reading the thread about scanners and a reply saying that the person would never respond to someone else's call. Scenarios started coming to mind and I was wondering what others have to say about this.
For example: You are driving down the road and you have your mobile scanner with you and you catch a call for something like 60 yr old with chest pains and you just happen to be driving through that particular neighborhood at the time. I know that if I actually witness someone in trouble, I will help however I can, but to respond to a location out of your district...I dunno. What about if it's a fire that you are driving by and see that there MIGHT be a shortage or people. Do you stop and see if they need extra help? Would this be concidered "freelancing"? Or would you wait for a MA call?
I suppose this question will be geared more toward volly dept's, but I would like to hear voices from different angles.
I should say that I do not own a scanner, and the pager is set to our own districts calls. This is just a question that came to mind, and I couldn't come up with an informative response to myself.
Thanks in advance
KSHF
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Rusty Mancini on
-
We will radio the officer of that department and ask if he needs our assistance if were in the area. In these days and times, they are always grateful for the help. All members will present their ID which has their certs. on it, to let the IC know what their qualifications are.
As far as us responding from our district, we wait until were invited! Works out well!!
-
Permalink Reply by Oldman on
-
If I'm not in my district, and I'm not called to MA, I don't offer. There is too much liability, not just for me but for whoever the incident belongs too.
FFN is a perfect example of; How do you know people are who they say? Just because someone has a t-shirt or a badge, doesn't mean they have a clue.
-
Permalink Reply by Derek R. on
-
These are all great resposnses. I figured as much coming from the people that are responding. and appreciate them all. Who would have figured a hypothetical thought would generate serious, genuine responses.
The "whanker/whacker" term DID come to mind at one time, but then thought that there were responsible, respectable people out there that use them as well.
Like mentioned earlier, I don't own a scanner, but thought about what if I did. Would I respond to someone elses call if I was close by. And thoughts like, "would I be covered if something went wrong". And you all seem to be in agreeance in regards to @$$ coverage. This leads me to my own personal answer about this. Our medical training is Medical First Responder level. When on calls, we are covered by insurance. Now, if we volunteer our time at a ball game or other event without filling out a form and checking in with EHS, we are not covered by insurance if something goes wrong. The event has to be documented beforehand and approved. So, with that, I would say that it would be unwise to respond to a residence in another town if you are near. But these are the rules up here. Not everywhere. I also know that if we happen upon an accident, and no help is there, I, for example, would be covered by the good samaritans act. Again, this is here. Things may be different in other areas.
Thanks to all that replied. Maybe others reading this will get something from it, or have something else to add.
KSHF
-
Permalink Reply by Norm Tindell on
-
Like the earlier post mentioned, I'd be very cautious. I think to arrive unannounced and offer help might be very confusing for the caller and first responders alike. Better to wait carefully to see if responders are in desperate need of help. Even then, it's pretty risky. More likely to get you in trouble than to be successful. Guess I'm just cynical...actually just plain cautious!
-
Permalink Reply by Michael Meadows on
-
The only time I ever offer assistance is if I am at a car crash and I'm either A) first on scene as a witness or B) if there are just a couple of people there and no or one truck on the scene. I usually get told "no we got it but thanks for offering" but there are those few occasions. Plus I have been called to testify in one case where I was first on scene when I lived in NC and was witness to an accident where they drove off. Long story short it was a he was driving-she was driving argument and I had to be the one to settle who was driving. Pretty easy to tell it was the woman she was naked and she was the driver no doubt about it. Back to the topic that's the only time I ever stop to offer assistance.
-
Permalink Reply by Michael A. Lewis on
-
I don't see why not. I'm a volunteer firefighter and I have responded to 2 of our neighboring depts. I would and have because I was the closet. But, 1 time I did to or neighbor to the south and that dept. chief did not like it, but said it was only ok, if my dept. got called to or their dept. had to get a second tone out. And for the dept to the west, I live only about 1 mile from their district line, and their closet station is over 10 miles away. several times i responded to their calls right over the district line. It was ok with their chief that I did it. But then I got into trouble with my chief for doing that. So, I would suggest anyone who might want to help out another dept. talk to their chief, and talk to the chiefs of the districts you drive through on a normal basis.
-
-
It's not that, I have an ego or hero complex or that I have to save the world. I also work with a dept. where their policy is the closet resource responds. So I was responding was as a closet resource until that dept. units got their and released me or wanted me to continue. All the calls I went to were medical aids. I have about 6 1/2 yrs of service, along with an EMT, and multiple other certificates of training, which I use montly if not weekly.
-
Permalink Reply by Ron Ayotte on
-
If one were to come across a medical ,in person while in a restaurant (been there, done that) while traveling (been there, done that) that is different. When EMS arrives, identify yourself, give them the info and then let them take over.
Coming across a fire while in one's travels... utilize your training, call 911 and try to evacuate the residents if they haven't yet done so. When the FD arrives, give them an update and let them take over... become a spectator.
To have the scanner on and respond to a medical or fire because "you're in the neighborhood" is Whackerism to the 10th power.
-
Permalink Reply by FETC on
-
Medical response's as Lindsay said, there is no duty to act when you are not on duty or not in your town, (now I understand some states have a law that says you must stop if passing an accident) but we are talking about hearing a call and responding out of your town. So if you have to drive to the address, your are essentially freelancing or hooping the call. You would be practicing EMS without any protection from personal and professional liability and/or workmens compensation if your were hurt or exposed.
Now as far as a fire, if a person came up to me in the comand post, and asked if I needed help, I would ask you to leave. I have no idea of your training, your certifications, the quality of your gear... etc.
The entire issue from a fire standpoint is a huge liability, in which I do not have time to accept on your behalf. Once again, in my area it would be considered freelancing or a serious whacker incident.
-
Permalink Reply by zack on
-
i wouldn't respond to someone else call. the only scenario that would differ from this is maybe me witnessing a car crash. i would be obligated to stop and help. i do own a scanner and i actually had a post about it and this issue came up on that post too. but that would be about the only situation.
-
-
in Michigan it is 100% legal to have a scanner in your car. i have looked into the laws it changed about may of 09
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28mgrr0a55iybug255oaxo0l55%29%29...
there is a link to inform you
pretty much saying if you are a felon or are committing a crime you cant have one.
-
-
I agree with you. Sadley today people are sue happy. Their got to be a way to get to know each firefighters abilities and training better from neighboring depts.
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
