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5.1 - Police and fire coordination

SAMS, police, and fire are partners with different responsibilities. Officers secure violent scenes and retain legal custody of suspects; EMS directs medical care within its scope. Communicate respectfully, flag concerns when patient safety is affected, and resolve disagreements through scene leads or supervisors rather than arguments over radio.

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5.2 - Patients in custody

Medical treatment is not denied because someone is arrested or suspected of a crime. Tell the involved officers where a detainee is being transported and coordinate an escort or a clear custody handoff. EMS should not be made responsible for enforcing police custody or interrogating a patient.

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5.3 - Pursuit collisions and Tasers

  • After a serious pursuit-related collision, police are encouraged to request EMS; medics should assess the patient for injuries as the RP requires.
  • Taser exposures and barb-removal calls can be handled by appropriately trained medical personnel, with assessment and appropriate transport when indicated. Use /removebarb if supported by the active medical resource and appropriate for the interaction.
  • Emergency scene hazards and patient condition determine response priority; not every taser call needs lights and sirens.

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5.4 - Crime scenes and evidence

Patient care comes first. Avoid disturbing unrelated evidence, keep unnecessary movement to a minimum, and tell investigators about materially important changes made during treatment. Where possible, avoid cutting through obvious damage in clothing, but do not delay lifesaving care to protect evidence.

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5.5 - Threats and unsafe situations

EMS is not a law-enforcement unit. If threatened, disengage, create distance, seek cover or escape when possible, and call for police. Self-defense is a last resort governed by server rules; medical staff should not intentionally escalate a confrontation. Do not pursue, search, or arrest suspects as part of routine EMS duty.

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5.6 - Civilian ride-alongs

Ride-alongs are welcome when a qualified medic considers the call load and scene conditions suitable. The guest must agree to the department’s safety instructions, cannot handle restricted equipment or patient information, and must not interfere with treatment. One guest per unit is the default. The crew may end the ride-along whenever operations or safety require it. Any screening, protective gear, or approval requirements should follow the current department ride-along process; a ride-along is not an excuse for an unauthorized search.