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Policy 3308: CIVIL DISTURBANCE AND/OR RIOTS

Policy 3308: CIVIL DISTURBANCE AND/OR RIOTS

YAKIMA COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 12

10000 ZIER ROAD

YAKIMA, WA 98908

POLICY # 3308

COMMISSION CHAIR SIGNATURE s/b Marshia Goss, Chair

EFFECTIVE DATE: JANUARY 7, 1999

REVISED DATE: APRIL 14, 2009

POLICY TITLE: CIVIL DISTURBANCE AND/OR RIOTS

REFERENCE: WAC 296-305-05001(12)

SOG 2-7 Assistance to Police Operations

Policy 3307 Risk Management for Incidents of Violence

PURPOSE District personnel, equipment or apparatus, shall not be used in activities related to quelling mob action unless such action is specifically authorized by the Chief of the Department.

1.0 The Fire Chief shall be the judge of the degree of Fire Department participation and implementation of Civil Disturbance procedures during any such activities.

2.0 Members in areas not affected by Civil Disturbance activities will continue with their normal duties/activities.

3.0 First arriving units when encountering a situation classified as a Civil Disturbance will notify dispatch in normal size-up manner. Dispatch will be directed to notify the Chief of situation.

4.0 DEFINITIONS

Civil Disturbance: Any mob action related to acts of arson, violence, riot, rebellions, insurrection or other unlawful action by various organized or unorganized groups.

5.0 RESPONSIBILITY

Fire Department members shall be responsible for acting with good judgment, tolerance and tact so as not to precipitate violent mob reaction. During periods of Civil Disturbance, individual members may be subjected to unusual stressful verbal abuse. Self control and restraint are of the utmost importance for preventing escalation of a marginal incident into a destructive long-term mob action.

6.0 The station officers shall arrange for security of affected Fire Stations to prevent vandalism and injury to personnel and equipment.

7.0 The station officers shall institute necessary measures to ensure station security.

8.0 GUIDELINES

Equipment carried exposed on running boards and sides of apparatus shall be placed in compartments, top storage areas or in crew cabs. Equipment in crew cabs shall be covered. Equipment on some apparatus may have to be stored in available open compartments and covered.

9.0 Fire Apparatus Protection

9.1 Hose bed covers shall be in position. The rear flap shall be secured down, if provided.

9.2 Hydrant wrenches should be carried towards the front portion of the load, out of sight.

9.3 Apparatus without hose bed covers shall have a tarp over the hose bed and top basket to protect equipment and hose.

10.0 Aid/Medic Units Protection

10.1 Rear doors shall be locked from the inside to prevent unauthorized entry. The remaining doors shall be locked when leaving the apparatus.

11.0 Personnel Protection

11.1 Members shall respond wearing full protective turnouts. Except for the officer and driver, helmet face shields or goggles shall be in the covered position.

11.2 To prevent vandalism to private vehicles, it may be necessary to direct arriving members, to fire stations out of the disturbance area and exchange crews via fire department transport.

12.0 Emergency Response/Operations

12.1 Unless otherwise authorized by the Chief of the Department, initial response within known civil disturbance areas shall consist of one Duty Officer and one Engine Company. The Engine Company will not engage in any activity that will aggravate the situation or put personnel in serious danger of injury.

12.2 A report of a Civil Disturbance by the first-arriving unit will signal all subsequent arriving units to stand by in a designated base area, unless otherwise directed.

12.3 Whenever possible, hand lines shall be taken directly off of hydrants. Apparatus will be hooked to a hydrant as a last resort.

12.4 Rescue and extinguishments should be the prime objectives of the Incident Commander; overhaul should be limited to those efforts that prevent rekindle. Salvage operations may have to be curtailed due to possible mob action.

12.5 Apparatus and personnel should be returned to quarters as quickly as possible.

12.6 Members should be alert to transmit information regarding hostile acts against apparatus and personnel. In the event of mob activity at the emergency scene, it may be necessary to withdraw and delay extinguishments operations until security forces secure the area.

12.7 Avoid unnecessary conflict (personal communication or physical contact) between Department personnel, rioters, or bystanders. Primary responsibility is the protection of life and property.

12.8 Provide protection for hydrants, suction and hose lines. If necessary, protection for apparatus, tools, equipment, hydrants, hose lines and other operating facilities shall be provided by Police or other enforcing personnel.

13.0 During Civil Disturbance situations, responses into or out of the area will be non-siren.

14.0 Fire Station Protection

14.1 Stations within or adjacent to the areas of Civil Disturbance shall keep doors and windows locked.

14.2 Activities outside the station shall be minimized to those necessary to provide emergency response.

14.3 Available outside illumination shall be utilized.

14.4 Available protective devices for doors and windows shall be placed in position.

14.5 When vandalism or mob action is directed against fire stations or personnel, it shall be immediately reported to the Chief.