On the Line: Public Safety Risk Management: July 2022

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Join Us for the Police Force Science Workshop

During this era of police reform, de-escalation training is one of many hot topics that are being discussed and highly embraced by law enforcement professionals as well as the community. De-escalation and response to resistance techniques have the potential to help prevent the need to use force in many encounters between police and community members.

As with many issues in law enforcement, the entire concept of de-escalation and the use of force is complex. Every day, law enforcement officers across Minnesota and the nation deal with challenging encounters on the job. Most of these incidents result in successful and peaceful non-forceful resolutions, although some don’t always go smoothly — especially when dealing with a combative and uncooperative individual.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the Center for Police Research and Policy (UC) recently published guidelines on how to begin evaluating an agency’s de-escalation practices. These guidelines were developed using versions of the Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics (ICAT) training program by a multi-disciplinary group including police officers, attorneys, and subject-matter experts and are designed for police leaders interested in assessing and enhancing their agency’s capacity to implement, evaluate, and monitor de-escalation training and policies.

As a police officer for many years, I can attest that police officers would like to avoid the need to use force whenever possible, although there are times when force is necessary to resolve a situation and avoid an escalation of an incident which could lead to a dangerous outcome including a critical incident.

An important component of effective de-escalation of an incident is training, and a cornerstone of good training is stressing the importance of communication that involves the incorporation of physical practice and scenario-based role-playing exercises in all areas of law enforcement operations.

This fall, the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) is sponsoring a workshop developed by the Force Science Institute that will teach police officers how to best handle these critical situations —while keeping both officers and the public safe.

Just recently, Force Science achieved national certification and international recognition for their Force Science courses thru the National Certification Program (NCP) of the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST). The course will cover many aspects of human psychology, police tactics and techniques, and negotiation strategies.

Register Today!

Registration for Force Science Institute Realistic De-escalation Training workshop is now open at lmc.org/22policeworkshop. This workshop has been approved for eight hours of POST credits for conflict management/mediation.

This workshop will be held at two locations, and the course fee has been reduced to $50 for LMCIT members (the fee for non-members is $295).

Sept. 27 (8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.), Hero Training Center, Cottage Grove
Sept. 28 (8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.), The Park Event Center, Waite Park

Additional information can be found here and registration questions can be directed to Carlie Derouin, event coordinator, at (651) 281-1258 or cderouin@lmc.org.

If you have any questions about the content of this training opportunity, you may contact me at tstille@lmc.org or give me a call at (651) 215-4051.

Remember: Responder Safety = Public Safety

In the meantime, stay safe and be careful -

Tracy

Monday, July 11, 2022

OSHA’s New Heat Safety Directive and Key Points for Public Safety

A guest post by LMCIT Public Safety Specialist Troy Walsh

In public safety we don’t always get a choice to change our schedules or move an emergency to another day. How does the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) new heat safety directive affect public safety and the weather that we just can’t wait out? If your organization is already doing some type of recycle or rehab cycles for staff you may be already in compliance, but if you’re not it needs to be implemented!

OSHA implemented a National Emphasis Program (NEP) in April to reduce health-related hazards and resulting injuries and illness caused by excessive heat in the workplace. This article will provide you with the basic information you’ll need to know and give you quick access to additional information.

Many of you are probably already following this directive: Much of it is common sense. But it’s a good reminder of how to prevent heat-related injuries and illness. Remember, heat stress can happen indoors too.

Let’s look at the key points of the NEP.

NEP at a glance:

The NEP is a nationwide initiative modeled on existing Regional Emphasis Programs (REP) in southern states.
It applies to indoor and outdoor workers where the heat index reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
There will be unannounced on-site visits by compliance safety and health officers (CSHOs) who will “observe workers performing strenuous work in heat.”
Visits may occur based on heat-related complaints, referrals, and reported heat illness.

Employers should:

Create a written plan to prevent heat-related illness.
Provide awareness training to employees.
Provide specific steps to prevent, identify, and treat heat-related illnesses.
Identify and control heat hazards.
Monitor workforce health and consider the current heat index and expected weather-related changes.
Provide water, rest, and shade. For workers with two-hour or greater exposure times, fluids containing electrolytes must also be accessible.
Recognize early symptoms of heat stress.
Administer first aid for heat-related illnesses.
Activate emergency medical services quickly when needed.

WHEN IN DOUBT CALL 911

What if you are 911, do you have a plan?

Most of you are already doing this! Plan your work cycles in accordance with the weather, allows for more frequent and longer breaks in the air-conditioned areas or at least in the shade, drink extra water, keep an eye on each other, and if you or someone else is showing symptoms of heat stress, get additional help!

A handy heat reference

Last thing, to remember, heat related safety is in the palm of your hand. Literally. Yep, there’s an app for that. The OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool includes everything you need including current local weather, a heat index calculator, diagnosis information, and treatment steps for heat illness. Go to https://www.osha.gov/heat/heat-app or the app store of your iPhone or Android and download the “OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool.”