KCFD revaluation policy, protocols after the death of the firefighter

Kansas City, Mon. after the tragic death of the fire brigade team Graham Hoffman, the city of Kansas, Missouri, the fire brigade re-evaluates its protocols for routine emergency calls.

“There is an increase in first aid and emergency rooms that take abuse,” said Michael Hopkins, head of the KCFD battalion.

KCFD guidelines and protocols after the death of the fireman evaluated paramedics and protocols

He said his observation did not lead to a change in protection of protection, but he believes that a shift in the way of thinking is necessary.

“We don't just want to rely on saying:” It is the nature of the job, so it is. “So we definitely want to look at everything,” said Hopkins. “There is a lot to decide how we want to develop and what we want to ask our legislators.”

Shanetta Bossell, 39, was charged with Hoffman's death murder.

The 29 -year -old Hoffman died after being stung in the back of an ambulance during the treatment of Bosell.

According to Hopkins, this incident was an unprecedented and tragic moment in the history of the department.

“This is the only incident that I can imagine where the patient he tried to treat has taken the life of an individual,” he said.

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The call began as a routine answer when Bossell agreed to go to the hospital in the ambulance instead of bringing the police home.

“We have no specific guideline for our members about Pat-Downs,” said Hopkins.

As a rule, these searches are reserved for detained people, a name that in this case was not to be applied because Bossell was not detained.

“Our doctors have autonomy to ask the police for help if he believes that a patient becomes combative or if additional security measures are necessary,” said Hopkins.

Court documents state that officials informed the paramedics on site that they would follow the ambulance to the hospital, a frequent procedure for imprisoned patients, less frequently, if not.

“PD would have a better explanation why they decided to follow the ambulance,” said Hopkins.

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A police spokesman in Kansasas, Missouri, replied to the inquiries from KSHB 41 about the department's protocols to put down for ambulance patients.

“We follow the legal standard, since it refers to the 4th change in the search, frisk and confiscation”, a KCPD spokesman that is divided by e -mail.

KCPD also provided its guidelines in relation to service for services with people who suffer from mental health, drug or alcohol problems.

The guideline comprises several definitions, including EDP or an emotionally disturbed person. KCPD defines EDP as “a name to describe a person in a crisis situation that has an emotional and/or behavioral disability that affects the ability of the person to effectively recognize, interpret and express fundamental emotions.”

KCPD did not answer the question of KSHB 41 whether Bossell was considered an EDP after department standards.

Hopkins said that a person's mental condition is burdened by KCFD a call.

“That changes the situation a little,” said Hopkins. “If we have to do with a patient who is perhaps very drunk in drugs or alcohol or has a problem with mental health – or we know that from the time when we arrive, you will be combative – at this point at the time we would request PD, and this patient if you are looking at the hospital, even if you do not with a LUSIDEN, if you take a look at the point, after the point, after the case, How you have to be instructed with a lug, with the stay.

He said that there are nuances in the brainstorming guidelines, especially when it comes to looking closely at what precise state the patient is.

“Someone who has a diabetic emergency who may be a paramedic or a nurse does not necessarily have to go to prison,” said Hopkins. “There was a medical problem that caused this behavior.”

KCPD did not answer any questions about whether they were aware of Bosell's earlier encounter with law enforcement agencies, in which they allegedly bitten an officer just a few days before Hoffman's death.

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“Firefighter Hoffman did exactly what to do,” said Hopkins. “He pursued the medical protocols and procedures.”

His death could create a precedent for protocols that do not exist.

“While we just want to do better with a pen pencil, it is a process and you have to include a lot of people and a lot of contributions,” said Hopkins. “We don't want to make a one -sided decision.”

This means that they receive a contribution from local 42, the local fire brigade union, the local 3808, the Union for Chiefs and the fire brigade administration.

Hopkins said the department had already started to contact ideas.

“If someone has a suggestion that they believe that they will work and can be implemented professionally, it is part of it,” said Hopkins. “We have almost 1,300 employees and almost 1,000 of them on the street.”

The security of the public and the department is of the utmost importance for KCFD, and discussions about protocol per hopkins will already take place.

“While we checked what happened and what we can do better, we will contact other departments to see what they do to combat these problems,” said Hopkins. “This is a very unique incident that has to be viewed critically, and there is a lot of nuance that flow into it.”

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KSHB 41 Reporter Rachel Henderson covers the neighborhoods in the counties Wyandotte and Leavenworth. Share your story idea with Rachel.