(from Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program)
| FIRST 24 HOURS |
| Notification | |
| _____ |
Assign a 2-person team to notify the firefighter's family, in person, before releasing any information |
| _____ | Notify all on- and off-duty personnel, including chaplain. |
| _____ | Notify elected officials and other key people in the community of the death. |
| _____ | Notify all other fire chiefs in the jurisdiction. |
| _____ |
Notify the Minnesota State Duty Officer |
| _____ |
Notify MFFMA |
| _____ |
Notify the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program office |
| Family Support | |
| _____ | Designate a family support liaison (team) and offer to stay with the family around the clock. |
| _____ | Designate a hospital liaison, if appropriate. |
| _____ | Meet with the family to explain support the fire department can provide and any immediate support they can offer. Be prepared to explain why an autopsy may be required. |
| _____ | Collect the deceased firefighter's department belongings to give to the family later. Inventory and document in the presence of a witness. If some belongings will be held during investigation, explain this to the family. |
|
Department Support |
|
| _____ | Contact the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation's Chief-to-Chief Network as needed for assistance. |
| _____ | Arrange critical incident debriefing for the department |
| Dealing with the Incident | |
| _____ | Determine the type of firefighter fatality investigation to conduct in addition to the NIOSH investigation (i.e., internal or external board of inquiry; arson-, accident- or homicide-related). |
| _____ | Contact the departmental or jurisdictional attorney regarding possible legal issues. |
| Dealing with the Community and the Media | |
| _____ | Prepare a summary of facts about the firefighter and the incident to use for public release of information. |
| _____ | Prepare a written statement for the chief or spokesperson to release to the media |
| _____ | Hold a briefing with the media. |
| DAY TWO THROUGH THE FUNERAL |
| Funeral/Memorial Service | |
| _____ | Assist the family in planning the funeral as they choose. |
| _____ | Continue to inform department members of the details regarding the incident and the funeral/memorial service plans. |
| _____ | Coordinate plans for fire department participation in funeral. |
| Family Support | |
| _____ | Request that local law enforcement officials make routine checks of the family's residence during the funeral and for several weeks afterwards |
| _____ | Assist the family with tasks related to home maintenance, transportation of out-of-town family and friends, childcare, etc. |
| Department Support | |
| _____ | Monitor department members closest to the incident to see how they are dealing with the loss. |
| AFTER THE FUNERAL |
| Family Support | |
| _____ | Continue to invite the family to department events and activities. |
| _____ | Provide assistance with routine tasks (home maintenance, running errands, etc.) |
| _____ | Assign someone to assist the family in accessing all benefits for which they are eligible. |
| _____ | Offer to "be there" at special times/events (children's activities, holidays, etc.) |
| Department Support | |
| _____ | Assist department members in accessing additional support, as needed. |
| Memorials and Tributes | |
| _____ | Inform and include families in local, state, and national tributes to the firefighter. |
| _____ | Make the family aware of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and its support programs for fire service survivors. |
| _____ | Plan to attend the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend and to send an escort and honor guard unit for the family. |
| Department Issues/Planning | |
| _____ | Update Emergency Contact Information for all department members. |
| _____ | Create or revise the department's Line-of-Duty Death plan. |