Co-response teams walk into scenes of domestic violence, drug use, and psychiatric emergencies. While the actions of co-responder teams can be lifesaving, these scenes are inherently dangerous. In this guide, we discuss co-response team safety considerations in the hopes of improving efficiency and well-being.
A few best practices to improve co-response safety include law enforcement clearing the scene, safety vests for medical providers, clear medical designations, self-defence training, coordination among team members, and scene awareness. All these safety practices may be more or less practical based on the agency and location, but they are all options to improve co-responder team safety and well-being.
Preparing clear safety guidelines protects co-responder crews from danger and gives them confidence and satisfaction as they care for people in need.
How Can Co-Responder Teams Stay Safe While Delivering Good Care?
While there has been a recent push to reduce negative police interactions with people in crisis, first responders must maintain safety for those who are responding to these crisis situations. The fact remains: these scenes can become dangerous.
Thankfully, however, there are common ways for first responders and co-response teams to stay safe. Many safety best practices do not require any “show of force.”
However, we all recognize that there are certain situations where a swift police response is critical to maintaining the safety of bystanders and responders. This article aims to answer the “when” and “how” of co-responder safety.
Here are a few ways co-responder teams can stay safe during a crisis response situation:
- Have Police Clear the Scene (Or on Standby)
- Clearly Designating Medical Providers from Police Officers or Tactical Teams
- Providing Safety Gear for Providers (Including Vests and Alarm Systems)
- Non-Aggressive Self-Defense Training and Coordination
- Practicing Good Scene Awareness and Patient Movement (Exiting the Environment Early)
- Larger Teams Rather Than Smaller (Strength in Numbers)
- Good Dispatch Practices and Response Coordination
More details below.
Co-Response Team Safety Practice: Have Police Clear the Scene (Or On Close Standby)
Each community must assess the role of law enforcement during a crisis response. For this article, “crisis response” means a situation where someone may have a behavioral disturbance, but no explicit crime is evident.
For example, a 911 call for a “man acting strangely on the sidewalk” does not necessarily mean that the man is committing a crime–the potential is there, but it is also just as likely that the man is having a medical emergency (such as low blood sugar).
The question is, should police go in first, or should paramedics/non-police responders? The conventional wisdom was that police should always go in first to secure the scene. This is, in many ways, a very reasonable stance; however, the trouble starts when there’s a situation where the very presence of a police officer can lead to a violent situation.
To be clear, this could be at no fault of the officer. They could be doing everything right, but the simple fact that they are a police officer causes the person in question to behave violently (where they otherwise may not have).
So, in the modern co-response program, unless the person is explicitly violent, three approaches can be taken to reduce the risk of escalation simply from the presence of an officer. First, the officer can enter the scene, ensure it’s safe, and then leave the scene and allow the co-responder team to take over.
Second, the police officer can stage nearby, being ready to respond within seconds if the co-responder team needs them. And third, the police officer remains part of the co-responder team, but they allow the healthcare providers to take the lead (which leads us to our next safety idea).
Note: When there is any threat of violence, police officers should clear the scene before entering. Also, if a co-responder team arrives on a scene and something seems wrong, they should wait for police before entering. While we want to reduce negative police interactions when possible, it’s never worth taking an unnecessary risk.
Co-Response Team Safety: Designating Medical Providers from Police Officers or Tactical Teams
The next best practice for co-responder safety is to actively avoid looking like a police officer or any other tactical unit. When a co-responder team enters a person’s property, there should be no question that they are a medical-based team, not law enforcement.
As a general rule (depending on the area), medical teams should avoid dark colors, tactical harnesses and belts, and any other identifier that could confuse them with police. There are some cases when “tactical gear” is required, but there are often non-threatening alternatives in these cases.
While police officers and health professionals must work together, it’s critical that there is a line drawn between legal/crime/investigation and medical/mental/social care. If people think that the “medical professionals” are just going to go and “tell the cops everything,” co-responder programs lose trust and the ability to operate without a target on their backs.
Co-Response Team Safety: Providing Safety Gear for Providers (Including Vests and Alarm Systems)
Remember what we said about non-threatening tactical gear? There are instances when a co-responder team may have to don protective vests. This is especially true if they are bringing care into an area that is known for violent crime, or if they are part of a unit that is frequently called to de-escalate certain situations (psychiatric, self-harm, etc.).
When a vest is needed, there are non-tactical vests that provide the same protection but don’t have an aggressive styling. These vests are usually bright in color and have clear medical provider identification labels.
Another in-built safety system is an emergency alarm that the co-responders can activate without alerting the person. In many cases, these alarms are built into the co-respondent’s radio. Other times, responders will use a “secret” word or phrase that, if spoken over the radio, means that they are in trouble and need a rapid police response.
Be sure your co-responder team has some kind of emergency alert system in place (and that it works!).
Non-Aggressive Self-Defense Training and Coordination for Co-Responder Safety
The entire co-responder team should be aware of basic self-defense training. This does not necessarily mean hand-to-hand combat; things like being slow to approach a patient, knowing where your exits are, and constantly watching your surroundings are important defensive steps.
In hazardous environments, co-responder teams should also learn how to coordinate their group to protect themselves from physical attack and quickly break free from someone if they are grabbed, jumped, or ambushed.
Practicing Good Scene Awareness and Patient Movement (Exiting the Environment Early)
There’s an old joke that the best self-defense tool is your legs, so that you can run. And really, it’s not a joke. If a co-responder is on a scene and can see that it is becoming violent (or is going to become violent), then they should exit that scene immediately and allow police to secure it.
The goal of co-responder teams is to reduce negative police interactions and get people suffering mental health issues the help they need. It also does not entirely minimize police interaction, especially when required.
Larger Teams Rather Than Smaller (Strength in Numbers)
Some co-responder programs are choosing to staff larger teams—often four or five members—instead of the more traditional two-person model. While not every situation requires a large presence, having additional team members nearby can offer added support if a scene becomes unpredictable or unsafe.
Some programs choose to bring in other members of the helper community, like trained EMS professionals. This doesn’t mean crowding the individual in crisis; rather, enough trained professionals are available to assist quickly if needed.
Co-Response Team Safety: Good Dispatch Practices and Response Coordination
The best time to keep people safe is before they are ever in danger. Earlier, we gave an example of a “man acting strangely on the sidewalk” as dispatch information. While there are cases where this is all the info dispatch can get, they should make every effort to determine any specifics that may indicate there is a danger present.
The scene should be secured before medical providers enter if a danger is present. Or, at least, there should be sufficient police or fellow responders with them before they enter. All responders first learn this: you can’t help a victim if you are a victim. Staying safe is essential.
Okay, let’s go over some final thoughts.
Conclusion: How to Keep Your Co-Responder Team Safe from Harm
Co-responder teams have become more popular in recent years as a way to reduce negative police interactions and improve care in the community. However, co-responder teams must prioritize safety, never entering an environment without the safety tools, training, and personnel to do so, and wait until scenes are secure before rendering aid.
Contact Julota for more information on how their software and services can keep your co-responder teams coordinated, safe, and efficient when operating within the community. A representative would be happy to listen to your needs, answer any questions, and provide a hassle-free demonstration.