OG 3005 Adult Protection

Issued By: FIRE PREVENTION (D. Day)
Approved By: Fire Chief William H. Mosher    
Date of Issue:  2009/05/20


BACKGROUND:

From time to time members of the Fire Service witness situations where adults may be residing in unsuitable conditions. These conditions are often the result of the person being unable to care for themselves by reason of not receiving adequate care and attention, physical disability or mental infirmity or refusal to make provisions for adequate care and attention.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this guideline is to establish procedures that will assist members when dealing with these situations.

OBJECTIVE:

Adults found living in unsuitable conditions will be provided assistance by members of Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency.

SCOPE:

This operating guideline applies to career and volunteer firefighters with Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency.

PROCEDURE: 

Often these situations are discovered by operational crews during an incident, in-service inspection or general life safety checks, or by Fire Prevention Officers carrying out their regular duties.

Indicators of needing protection include but are not limited to:

•    Excessive amounts of storage;
•    Lack of regular maintenance to the home;
•    Lack of regular housekeeping in the home and/or personal hygiene of the individual in question.

It is important for members in these situations to gather as much information as possible. Information should include: Name, Date of Birth, Names of Family members and contact numbers, Clergy or Family Doctor, number of persons residing in the home, and if there are any animals which may be under care of the individual.

Members who discover these situations can request, through dispatch, for a member of HRM Police to attend the scene. The Police Officer that responds can activate the Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team through his/her Supervisor.

Members must realize that once this system is activated, we may no longer have any involvement in these cases, with the exception of dealing with the fire and life safety hazards. All situations of this nature must be treated with the strictest of confidence.

RELATED POLICIES/ OEPRATING GUIDELINES:

•    OG 3004 Unlicensed Small Option Homes-3 or Less People

OPERATING GUIDELINE REVIEW:

This policy shall be reviewed when/if there are changes/amendments to the procedure followed to assist adults living in unsuitable living situations.