Line-of-Duty Death Action Checklist

(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.