Scene Safety

Scriptor

Scriptor

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I've asked several people about this (my EMT instructor, fellow EMT's) and they all seem to think it's beyond our job description. But for the sake of scene safety, if there is a firearm laying out (safely out of any PT or bystander's reach) wouldn't it be wise for a knowledgable EMT (or first responder for that matter) to carefully and safely disarm and disable, with gloved hands, the possible life threat? I know the police should already be there, and they should be the first to take care of it, but if I was the first one on scene and I saw the threat my iinitial reaction would be to clear the weapon and disable it, so as to ensure my safety, my partner's safety, and the safety of other individuals on scene.

Hopefully something like this wont happen... but what if, you know? Is it really that big a deal if I were to make the scene a little safer by using my knowledge of fire arms to disarm one?
 
In case like that, no. you should not be on scene first. PD should be there. No there is no reason you should be hanndling a fire arm.
 
If the patient's reasonably far away, as are all other bystanders, well, the gun's not going to shoot you on its own. Just treat the patient and STAY AWARE, if someone who doesn't belong starts coming up, then it's time to start acting. Besides, you don't want to tamper with criminal evidence.
 
Police department should be on scene already and if not, ask for assistance from the PD. Worry about the PT and let law enforcement worry about life threats.
 
police being on scene first is a luxury based on the system you work in. EMS will be on scene of many apparently safe scenes only to realize as the call pregresses that there is a danger. One needs to get the police on scene asap.
 
As stated, PD is not on all scenes. If you feel that it is in reach of a pt, then place it in a drawer somewhere and keep an eye on the area. It is not for you to unload it or make sure the safety is on. Misfires can happen to easily. Just pick it up by the trigger guard( with gloved hands) and place it in a drawer.

If the scene has criminal activity, then notify the LEO and let them know where you placed it. If this is just a basic medical call, Then there is no need for LEO. It is not illegal to have a gun in your home. Just place it where it is harder to get to, so you know if someone is going for it!
 
If there is a gun, it would be safer to have a LEO come and deal with it because you can't predict the future, someone could come running in and use it. You never know. Its better to be safe
 
I'm taking a firearms safety course for this reason.

It will give me the knowledge to identify/classify both restricted and unrestricted firearms (both long rifles/shotguns and handguns), handle the firearms, unload/load, assemble/disassemble and, if (God forbid) the circumstances arise, how to operate.

Chances are I'll never have to put that knowledge to use as an LEO will most likely be on scene of a firearms incident, but no knowledge is a waste. ^_^
 
reaper said:
As stated, PD is not on all scenes. If you feel that it is in reach of a pt, then place it in a drawer somewhere and keep an eye on the area. It is not for you to unload it or make sure the safety is on. Misfires can happen to easily. Just pick it up by the trigger guard( with gloved hands) and place it in a drawer.

If the scene has criminal activity, then notify the LEO and let them know where you placed it. If this is just a basic medical call, Then there is no need for LEO. It is not illegal to have a gun in your home. Just place it where it is harder to get to, so you know if someone is going for it!
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The last way you want to pick up a firearm is by the trigger guard. Too much chance of your fingers slipping inside of the guard and having a ND.
 
We've run into this situation more than a time or two. We will generally verbally acknowledge that a weapon is present. We worked a code one time with a 44 mag about 4 feet from the guy's head. Apparently he just kept it on the floor behind his favorite chair.

It wasn't a threat, we made sure it was out of the way, but without a finger on the trigger it wasn't going to get up and shoot us on its own.
 
I would say if your knowlagable enough about firearms why not clear the weapon put the bullets somewhere safe. This would allow you to devote your attention more towards the patient and not the firearm. Who knows when the patient takes a turn for the worst you could totally forget about the weapon that has the potential to take your life. I dont know, logically it makes sense to clear the weapon. However Im sure you could get bound up with your agency or the law somehow.
 
FTRPO said:
I would say if your knowlagable enough about firearms why not clear the weapon put the bullets somewhere safe. This would allow you to devote your attention more towards the patient and not the firearm. Who knows when the patient takes a turn for the worst you could totally forget about the weapon that has the potential to take your life. I dont know, logically it makes sense to clear the weapon. However Im sure you could get bound up with your agency or the law somehow.
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And you would be surprised at how many LEO's, who are supposed to be knowledgeable in firearms, have ND's when trying to clear or handle a weapon.
 
ffemt8978 said:
And you would be surprised at how many LEO's, who are supposed to be knowledgeable in firearms, have ND's when trying to clear or handle a weapon.
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ND? You mean AD? :unsure:

Like this?

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhIJOVD8hwY[/YOUTUBE]
 
Im not sure what ND means but Im guessing that its some term for accidental discharge. I guess what Im saying is I am willing to take the risk. I would take the option of accidental discharge over the option of it being picked up by the wrong hands.
 
There is no such thing as an Accidental Discharge...they are Negligent Discharges.
 
Sorry I was typing a reply to the prior comment when AJ posted this. That video is a classic. The speech prior to the accidental discharge is priceless. Like I said I would rather have the gun in my hands still.
 
Like I said I didnt know what ND was. I was just assuming it was something along the lines of an accidental discharge but now I know that theres no such thing.
 
ffemt8978 said:
And you would be surprised at how many LEO's, who are supposed to be knowledgeable in firearms, have ND's when trying to clear or handle a weapon.
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This I agree with.

In the firearms course I'm taking this month, I'll have a wider knowledge of firearms than a lot of my city's LEOs.
 
I have had to safe a weapon once. That was an MVA where the guy had a CCW permit and was carrying at the time. No problem, drop the mag, lock the slide back and catch the round out of the chamber. All goes into a bag (we used a biohazard bag) and turned over to PD with the rest of his belongings.

I have no problem doing that. Now if the weapon is on scene from, say, a gang shoot, then I am not getting close until PD is on scene, no exceptions
 
jtpaintball70 said:
Now if the weapon is on scene from, say, a gang shoot, then I am not getting close until PD is on scene, no exceptions
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So you make it to your patient and you see a gun laying on the ground in the vicinity. You're going to bolt?
 
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