SOP 206.07 POLICE LIAISON SECTOR

A large proportion of response situations involve some interaction of a routine nature between Police and Fire personnel. In complex , situations, however, there is often a need for command level interaction between the two departments. In cases where this interaction becomes complex, Command may assign a Police Liaison Sector to co- ordinate functions in this area.

In situations involving several police officers, a senior officer or supervisor is instructed to report to the Command Post. When there is a need for communication and no supervisor has reported to the Command Post, this should be requested through dispatch or through any police officer on the scene. The police supervisor should be requested to stay at the Command Post with the assigned Sector Officer.

The Police Liaison Sector will coordinate all activities requiring coordination between the departments.

Examples are:

Traffic Control

Crowd Control - establishment of perimeters Evacuation - hazardous materials, etc.

Fatalities

Crime Scenes - (bombings, etc.)

Persons Interfering With Fire Department Operations

The Police Liaison Sector Officer will be responsible for determining the specific needs in each situation and communicating these to the Police Supervisor.

Some situations are naturally more of a Police responsibility than a Fire responsibility. In these situations the Police Liaison Sector Officer should station himself at the Police Command Post to coordinate requests for assistance from the Police Department. to the Fire Department. At crime scenes the Fire Department often operates in a supporting role to the Police Department, providing specialized equipment or expertise and all- personnel must be aware of the Police Department's jurisdiction.

Dead bodies are a responsibility of the Fire Marshal and the Police Department, delegated by the Justice of the Peace.

CROWD CONTROL

The Police Department will en force a Fire Line as identified by the Fire Department. It is the responsibility of the Police Department to keep unauthorized persons outside this Fire Line. Authorized personnel inside this Fire Line are the responsibility of the Fire Department, including news media, utility personnel, fire volunteers, etc. Command must identify the area to be controlled to the Police Department, keeping in mind the possible dangers of the situation and the area needed for operations. Fire volunteers may be assigned to rope-off this identified area. The Police Liaison Officer is responsible for coordinating the location and establishment of the Fire Line with the Police Department and directing the work of assigning this function. Fire Department personnel assignments (Within the Fire Line is smaller area known as the Fireground). This is the immediate danger zone within which only specifically assigned personnel with protective clothing and equipment are authorized. Control of this zone is a Fire Department responsibility.

TRAFFIC CONTROL

Alarm will automatically notify the Police Department of the need for traffic control at any working fire. When the need for traffic control is urgent or complex this should be reported to Alarm to be relayed to the Police dispatcher. Time will be saved if specific traffic control locations are relayed through Alarm. Example: "Have P.D. close W. Ennis Avenue from Dallas St. to Sherman St.”.

When special Traffic Control measures are needed, such as with hazardous materials incidents, the basic requirements may be relayed through dispatch with a request for a Police Supervisor at the Command Post.

EVACUATION

Area evacuation (area outside immediate exposure area) will be undertaken after approval by the Emergency Preparedness Director. Discretion should be used to insure safety of civilian population. IF IN DOUBT ---- EVACUATE.

PERSONS INTERFERING WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT

When Fire Department personnel encounter interference from anyone at the scene of an incident, a specific request shall be made to the Police Department identifying the type of problem encountered and the desired action. In such circumstances a Police Liaison Sector Officer shall be assigned to work with the police supervisor.

If the situation reaches a point where Fire Department personnel are physically endangered by an unstable situation, Fire Department units will withdraw until the Police Department can stabilize the situation. The liaison officer will work with the Police Commander in coordinating the re-entry of units into such areas. Unstable civil situations are a Police Department responsibility and Fire Department personnel and equipment will not be used in violent crowd control situations, except in self-defense.

Following a fire for which no responsible party is available, it may become necessary to leave the premises or valuable property in the possession of the Police Department. At major incidents, the Police Liaison Sector Officer will handle the details of this transfer of responsibility with the Police Supervisor.