Policy Text
MAJOR EMERGENCIES, DISASTERS,
AND UNUSUAL OCCURRENCES
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/01/05 STANDARD NO. 041 REVISED: 03/22/18
REPLACES: Rev. 03/19/14;
OBJECTIVE: To establish criteria for responding to emergencies, disasters, and unusual
occurrences.
POLICY: The policy of the Homestead Police Department (HPD) is to rapidly deploy
personnel who may be essential to save lives, protect property, and maintain
order in circumstances involving large-scale emergencies, disasters, and unusual
occurrences, i.e., major fires, major aircraft crashes, natural disasters, civil
disturbances, accidents involving hazardous materials, etc.
SCOPE: All employees of this Department shall be governed by the procedures set forth
below.
I. MAJOR FIRES:
A. This procedure encompasses fires that are beyond the scope of normal activities. The
Miami-Dade Fire Department will respond and extinguish fires; however, the HPD
personnel may be the first on the scene and will be governed by the following:
1. Situation evaluation:
a. Police officers, when observing what appears to be a fire, should contact
the dispatcher to confirm that the Fire Department has been notified. A
situation evaluation must be reported via radio or telephone to the
dispatcher and will include:
1) Location.
2) Size of the involved area, both actual and potential.
3) The apparent direction in which the fire is burning.
4) Type of area involved (i.e., business, residential, etc.).
5) Access routes for emergency vehicles.
6) Additional HPD personnel required and location where personnel
should assemble.
7) Any injuries, if known.
8) Notation of suspicious persons or vehicles at/leaving the scene.
Major Emergencies, Disasters, and Unusual Occurrences – SOP# 041
b. After the original situation evaluation is reported, consideration should be
given for the need to establish a Field Command Post, in addition to the
location, which will best suit the needs.
NOTE: Police officer responsibilities consist mainly of perimeter/traffic
control, evacuation, and assisting Fire Department personnel upon
request. Police officers will not attempt to assist fire fighters in specific
fire control/rescue efforts, except under compelling circumstances.
c. Should Fire Department personnel believe the fire is of a suspicious
nature, they shall notify the Fire Prevention Investigator, who will request
a police arson investigator if he/she believes the fire to be suspicious.
When this occurs, the fire scene shall be treated as a crime scene and all
requirements and restrictions for the preservation of evidence shall apply.
2. Evacuation:
a. A fire in a populated area may require an evacuation of occupants within,
or close to, the involved area. In addition to the information previously
discussed, an evacuation warning should (if time allows) advise
occupants to:
1) Close all doors and windows.
2) Remove combustibles from fuel tank area.
3) Place combustible items inside a structure.
4) Shut off electricity.
5) Park vehicles left in the involved area in a garage (if available) and
close all windows.
6) Advise parents to keep their family together when evacuating (this
lessens confusion and helps avoid unnecessary delay).
Note: The above information applies to both residences and businesses.
3. Perimeter and traffic control:
a. As with other types of emergencies, the perimeters established at the
scene of a fire should be flexible. Police officers at perimeter points
should be able to advise the HPD Field Command Post of information
that will assist the on-scene commander with decision making and further
posting.
b. One (1) of the major responsibilities during a fire emergency is to keep
pedestrian and vehicle traffic at an absolute minimum to allow Fire
Department personnel and equipment ready access to the involved area.
The use of street barricades and flares may be utilized when there is
insufficient personnel to adequately cover the perimeter.
Major Emergencies, Disasters, and Unusual Occurrences – SOP# 041
c. Parked police vehicles must not block access by responding Fire
Department personnel.
4. Fire Command Post:
a. A Fire Command Post, if established, shall be staffed with a HPD liaison.
5. Fire Department authority: