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Home My WebLink About114.001 - LODD-Critical Injury-Initial ActionsEffective Date: March 2018 Thomas Cope, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 5/28/2025 Section 114.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 5/28/2030 Page 1 of 10 100 Administrative Manual SECTION 114.001 LODD/CRITICAL INJURY INITIAL ACTIONS PURPOSE This policy serves as a guide to initial actions in the event of a Line-of-Duty-Death (LODD) or Critical Injury (CI) of a Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) member. APPLICATION This policy applies to all scenarios in which a Department member is killed or seriously injured. OPERATIONAL POLICY In the event of a LODD/Critical Injury, the following actions shall be taken: • Make timely notifications of the incident to the appropriate family members; department members; COF leaders; and other public safety agencies within the Operational Area. • Offer appropriate support services to both surviving family members and Department personnel. • Ensure continuity of operations and member safety at both the LODD/CI incident scene and throughout the entire FFD areas of operation. • Investigate and document events, actions, and any contributing factors leading to the LODD/CI incident. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE Due to the complex nature of a LODD/CI incident, the Fire Chief/Duty Chief should consider forming an Incident Management Team (IMT) to manage the inherent operational, logistical, and planning needs. A written Incident Action Plan (IAP) should be created as soon as possible. Initial planning considerations should include the following: Fresno City Fire Department Effective Date: March 2018 Thomas Cope, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 5/28/2025 Section 114.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 5/28/2030 Page 2 of 10 • Continuity of operations at LODD/CI incident scene. • Continuity of operations throughout FFD's other areas of operations. • Notifications and Family Support. • Hospital Liaison (if required). • Investigation and documentation of the incident. • Media relations. • Behavioral Health / Peer Support of members. PROCESS The process is as follows: LODD/CI Incident Commander (LODD / CI IC) Initial considerations should include: Recall of Public Information Officer(s); Emergency Preparedness Officer, training officers; and off duty chief officers to staff initial ICS positions Formation of an Incident Management Team (IMT) and preparation of an initial written Incident Action Plan (IAP). Designate members of Notification Team(s): Designate a Hospital Liaison Officer (if necessary). Ensure continuity of operations and security at the LODD/CI incident scene; consider designating an experienced on-duty officer not directly involved with the LODD/CI event as LODD/CI Incident Scene Branch Director. Ensure other notifications are made as appropriate: Fresno ECC for mutual aid station coverage. Law enforcement for traffic control/motorcade escort duties. Effective Date: March 2018 Thomas Cope, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 5/28/2025 Section 114.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 5/28/2030 Page 3 of 10 Fresno Firefighters Association. Peer Support Team Coordinator. Investigations Unit Supervisor. CalOSHA and Governor’s office as appropriate COF Mayor, councilmembers, and City Manager LODD/CI Incident Scene Operations Branch Director: An officer should be designated as the LODD/CI Incident Scene Operations Branch Director. Reports to the LODD/CI Incident Commander. Manage all operations at the scene of the LODD/CI: Ensure any hazards present are mitigated. Provide for scene security and preservation of evidence (coordinate with Investigations Branch Director). Designate a media staging area, away from the ICP and member rehab areas. (Coordinate media staging with designated PIO). Anticipate prolonged operations at scene; ensure logistical support. Provide a rehab area for on scene personnel away from media and public view. Consider requesting FFD Incident Support vehicle and/or FPD Nest vehicle (Coordinate with Peer Support team for provision of other on scene support services). Members will refrain from making social media posts regarding the incident until family notifications are completed. LODD/CI Notification Officer(s): Notification Officer(s) should be a uniformed Chief Officer. Reports to the LODD/CI Incident Commander. Effective Date: March 2018 Thomas Cope, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 5/28/2025 Section 114.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 5/28/2030 Page 4 of 10 Timely notification of deceased/injured member’s family is the highest priority: Notification made in person is preferred. Multiple deaths and/or injuries will require designating multiple Notification Officers. Access deceased/injured members emergency contact information via the Department staffing software: Consider requesting an on-call Police Chaplain to be part of the notification team(s). Consider inclusion of one or more Family Support Personnel as part of the notification team. Prior to contacting the family: Ensure the notification team has a minimum of two (2) vehicles available if needed; allows rapid transport of adult family members to the hospital while another notification team member may provide childcare in the home or other task. Contact the LODD/CI Incident Commander via cell phone immediately before the initial contact with family to obtain any updated information. Notification: Make notification in a private location. Consider the inclusion of age-appropriate children. Give a brief, accurate description of the event; allow time for family to process the information and ask questions. Provide only information known to be accurate. Transport family members to a hospital if needed (coordinate arrival with designated Hospital Liaison Officer). Assure family members the Department will provide on-going support. Unless the family requests otherwise, do not leave family members alone after notification has been made. A Effective Date: March 2018 Thomas Cope, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 5/28/2025 Section 114.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 5/28/2030 Page 5 of 10 member of the Notification Team or another adult friend or family member should be available to stay with the family immediately after notification. If no Family Support Personnel or other FFD member remain at the scene of the notification, or if the family asks for privacy, the Notification Officer should leave contact information and remain immediately available to the family by cell phone. Offer assistance with contacting other family members, friends, and/or clergy. Offer assistance with local transportation or other immediate needs of the family. After making the family notification: Notify the LODD/CI Incident Commander by cell phone immediately after the family notification has been completed. For notification of immediate family members residing outside of Fresno County or the immediate area, the Notification Officer should consider the following actions: Request that the fire department serving the family’s home community perform initial notification to family members in person. Speak by phone directly to the officer who will make the notification. Provide accurate information regarding the incident to be relayed to the family members. Provide the family with the Notification Officer’s cell phone number. Request confirmation of the notification be made by phone to the Notification Officer as soon as possible. The Notification Officer and/or Family Support Personnel should then be dispatched to the family’s location to make contact in person. Effective Date: March 2018 Thomas Cope, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 5/28/2025 Section 114.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 5/28/2030 Page 6 of 10 Hospital Liaison Officer (HLO): Reports to the LODD/CI Incident Commander. Responds to the hospital quickly: Establish single point of contact with the hospital staff. Ensure the hospital makes no unapproved public statements. Secure any PPE and personal property belonging to deceased/injured member(s). Receives the treatment and prognosis information from the treating physician; relays the information to the LODD/CI Incident Commander. Facilitates the needs of surviving family members while at the hospital: Coordinate the arrival at hospital of the family with the Notification Officer. Ensure the family members receive information from the treating physician in a timely manner. If possible, secure a private and comfortable location for the family. If possible, secure a private location where Department members can congregate. (Coordinate with Peer Support Team member). Family Support Personnel: Some members have pre-designated their preferred Family Support Personnel in their FD-80 Line of Duty Death Preferences document. Often, one or more department members will self-select as "Family Support Personnel" as they gather around the family, offering support The Fire Chief may Special Assign one or more members as Family Support Personnel: At the request of family, FSP may: Effective Date: March 2018 Thomas Cope, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 5/28/2025 Section 114.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 5/28/2030 Page 7 of 10 Serve as a liaison or advocate for the surviving family members and their needs, wishes, and concerns. Serve as the media spokesperson for the family. Offer emotional support to the surviving family members and assist with decision-making as appropriate. Coordinate logistical support for the surviving family members with Fresno Firefighters Association as appropriate. Considerations may include meals, child care, pet care, lawn and yard care, transportation and housing for family members, as well as fundraising and donations Public Information Officer (PIO): Reports to Fire Chief or LODD / CI IC. Form a PIO team (this could include other agencies). Gather accurate information related to the incident before drafting the initial press release. Assist Fire Chief or designee in drafting initial email notification to department members. Coordinate the initial press conference. Incident Investigation Branch: Designate Investigation Unit Supervisor or other sworn law enforcement member LODD/CI Investigation Branch Director: Reports to the LODD/CI Incident Commander. In cooperation with the LODD/CI Incident Scene Branch Director ensures: Incident scene is secured to prevent unauthorized entries. Documentation of incident scene and events completed. Effective Date: March 2018 Thomas Cope, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 5/28/2025 Section 114.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 5/28/2030 Page 8 of 10 Documentation of location and condition of the deceased/injured member’s PPE and personal equipment completed. Secure items as evidence and establish the chain of custody. Witnesses identified and statements obtained. If necessary, Fresno County Coroner response requested. Establish accurate timeline of the events. Behavioral Health / Peer Support: Consider designating the Peer Support Team Coordinator or other member of the team as the Behavioral Health Branch Director: Reports to the LODD/CI Incident Commander. Actions to be taken in support of the affected members should be based on the members’ reactions and circumstances of the incident. Initial support services may include: Peer support services and assessment at the scene of the LODD/CI as needed. Peer support services and assessment at the hospital, morgue, funeral hall, fire stations, or other locations as needed. Facilitation of Crisis Informational Briefings to members as appropriate. Small group diffusing for members directly involved in the incident when appropriate. Behavioral Health Branch Director, in conjunction with the Peer Support Team Clinical Supervisor (or other mental health clinician) should facilitate subsequent behavioral health support services for Department and surviving family members as appropriate: Effective Date: March 2018 Thomas Cope, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 5/28/2025 Section 114.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 5/28/2030 Page 9 of 10 INFORMATION FRESNO CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT Line of Duty Death / Critical Injury Organizational Structure FIRE CHIEF OR DUTY OFFICER PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER FAMILY SUPPORT PERSONNEL ACCIDENT REVIEW TEAM POLICY 104.007 LODD/CI INCIDENT COMMAND POLICY 114.001 MEMORIAL BRANCH POLICY 114.002 INVESTIGATION BRANCH HOSPITAL LIAISON OFFICER FAMILY NOTIFICATION TEAM(S) INCIDENT SCENE BRANCH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BRANCH Effective Date: March 2018 Thomas Cope, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 5/28/2025 Section 114.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 5/28/2030 Page 10 of 10 DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. CROSS-REFERENCES Administrative Manual Section 114.002, Line-of-Duty Death Memorial Procedures National Fallen Firefighter Foundation Website https://www.firehero.org/resources/department-resources/sops /