Cop Arrests Fire Captain

There are a number of implications in regards to this clip that could have been prevented, and even more that could lead to either future improvements or future failures. First of all the situation shows a clear breakdown of communication between cooperative agencies. I will make some policy assumptions here. Perhaps in this situation the officer was attempting to regulate traffic based on laws and departmental policies within the police force. On the same note, the Captain for the fire department was likely acting in accordance with departmentally established policy set to ensure firefighter safety. Had communication been better between police and fire personnel then policy would have been further understood between different agencies. This is where communication is essential.

I would like to know the stated legislative mandates for scene control for these agencies. I know that in Colorado the acting medical provider controls the scene, in most cases the EMT-P. If this is the case in the Hazelwood Fire Department then there is major implication created by the officer. If the police interfere with the acting medical provider’s ability to provide care (in this case by removing an assisting party) then that could lead to patient claims of negligence, or even abandonment. It seems almost as if there is a power issue at hand in this situation (one that was inappropriately addressed). In the end it all boils down to a unified understanding of scene control policies as well as an understanding of cooperative agencies policies and obligations.  If agencies work together to clearly understand that their respective policies, it will breed more effective and efficient scene management.

From a personal perspective I have to say that the police officer in this situation was 100% out of line, and doing nothing more than attempting to flex his ‘legal’ power.  There is no reason to ask for this apparatus to be moved. In the video it can be clearly seen that traffic was light, and there were still two accessible lanes for traffic.  Fire apparatus’ are placed on MVA scenes with very specific and particular intentions, safety. Whether you’re a police officer or firefighter, everyone knows that scene safety in the #1 priority. To go to the extreme of arresting an aiding medical professional on the scene of a medical call is not only inappropriate and unnecessary, but completely dangerous. As a direct result of this arrest not only was the patient jeopardized, but the entire service area of the apparatus was as well. If the officer was removed from the rig, it would have taken this engine out of service, or at the very best substantially inhibited the crew’s ability to go back into service as they would be short handed.