35' EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

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35. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
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Unit Goal 35.1 The student will be able to
summarize emergency procedures for jail
facilities.
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35.1.1 The student will be able to define
disturbance.
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A. Definition of disturbance - disruptive
behavior, by one or more inmates, that causes
disorder
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35.1.2 The student will be able to explain the
importance of attempting to defuse disturbances.
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A. To provide for the safety of officers,
civilians, inmates and the facility
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B. To prevent disturbances, proper supervision of
the inmate population will be maintained at all
times
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C. All legitimate complaints and needs of inmates
will be dealt with promptly
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D. Unresolved inmate complaints may lead to
disturbances, escalate into emergencies, and
spread through the facility
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E. Officers should consider the following when
attempting to defuse a disturbance
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1. Officer presence and verbal means are the
first steps in defusing disturbances
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2. Officers should use as a reference the Use of
Force Scale, the PC 9, and department policy and
procedures when attempting to defuse a disturbance
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F. Document any action taken
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35.1.3 The student will be able to describe
circumstances involving disturbances where it is
appropriate to contact a supervisor.
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A. Officers are not able to defuse the
disturbance
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B. Back-up/assistance is needed
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C. Restraints or force is used
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D. The authority of a supervisor is needed (use
of irritants, special team activation, etc.)
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E. At the officers discretion, and if the
officer believes it is necessary
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35.1.4 The student will be able to define
emergency.
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A. Definition of emergency - an unforeseen
combination of circumstances or the resulting
state that calls for immediate action an urgent
need for assistance or relief
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35.1.5 The student will be able to identify some
methods to follow when responding to emergencies.
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A. TCJS 263.40 - Plans Each facility shall have
and implement a written plan, approved by the
commission, for escapes, riots, assaults, fires,
evacuations, rebellions, civil disasters, and any
other emergencies.
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B. Refer to department policy and procedure on
responding to emergencies in conjunction with
this objective
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C. PC 38.01 (2) Definition of escape Escape"

• means unauthorized departure from custody or
  failure to return to custody following temporary
  leave for a specific purpose or limited period or
  leave that is part of an intermittent sentence,
  but does not include a violation of conditions of
  community supervision or parole other than
  conditions that impose a period of confinement in
  a secure correctional facility.

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D. PC 38.06 Escape
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1. A person commits an offense if he escapes from
custody when he is
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a. Under arrest for, charged with, or convicted
of an offense
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b. In custody pursuant to a lawful order of a
court
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2. Possible escape notify the supervisor, order
all inmates to return to housing units or a
designated area, conduct a regular count of all
inmates, account for all personnel to rule out a
hostage situation, and if inmate cannot be
accounted for, implement procedures for dealing
with the escape
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3. Escape in progress - notify the supervisor,
contact dispatch with pertinent information and
description of inmate (all available law
enforcement should attempt to locate escapee and
return him to the facility)
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4. Escapee will be charged with Escape
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5. If escapee is not located
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a. the Criminal Investigation Division will be
notified, and
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b. a warrant for escape will be issued
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E. PC 42.02 Riot
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1. A riot is the assemblage of seven or more
persons resulting in conduct which
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a. Creates an immediate danger of damage to
property or injury to persons
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b. Substantially obstructs law enforcement or
other governmental functions or services
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c. By force, threat of force, or physical action,
deprives any person of a legal right or disturbs
and person in the enjoyment of a legal right
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2. A person commits an offense if he knowingly
participates in a riot.
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a. Notify the supervisors and sheriff
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b. Wait for assistance or backup to arrive
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c. Identify and observe inmates who are
participating in the riot
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d. Ensure that an appropriate number of officers
is available to defuse, assist with, and contain
the riot situation. Request additional outside
personnel if necessary.
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e. Once the riot has been quelled, account for
inmates and officers, provide medical care to
anyone injured, and provide the necessary
documentation
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F. PC 22.01 Assault A person commits an
offense if the person
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1. A person commits an offense if the
person
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a. Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes
bodily injury to another, including the persons
spouse
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b. Intentionally or knowingly threatens another
with imminent bodily injury, including the
persons spouse or
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c. Intentionally or knowingly causes physical
contact with another when the person knows or
should reasonably believe that the other will
regard the contact as offensive or provocative
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2. Officers responding to an assault should
intervene only when there are an appropriate
number of officers present to control the
situation officer safety is primary
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3. Assaults that occur and are reported to
officers after the fact should be documented
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4. Officers are allowed to defend themselves
against assaults using reasonable force
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5. Qualified medical personnel should examine
individuals involved in an assault
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6. All assaults should be documented
(prosecution/non-prosecution)
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7. Notify the supervisor
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G. Fires
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H. Evacuations, rebellions, and civil disasters -
refer to department policy and procedure
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I. Medical Emergencies
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1. TCJS 273.2 (3) and (10) - Health Services
Plan Each facility shall have and implement a
written plan, approved by the Commission, for
inmate medical, mental, and dental services. The
plan shall
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a. TCJS 273.2 (3) - provide procedures for
efficient and prompt care for acute and emergency
situations
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b. TCJS 273.2 (10) - provide that adequate first
aid equipment and patient evacuation equipment be
on hand at all times
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2. Notify the supervisor
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3. Notify the medical staff and emergency medical
services (EMS)
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4. Isolate the any inmates who are in need of
medical care, if possible
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5. Medical staff and EMS will assess and treat
the inmate
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6. Follow medical staff and EMS recommendations,
as well as department policy and procedure
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7. Document according to policy
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35.1.6 The student will be able to identify
items that constitute as life safety equipment.
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A. TCJS 261.54 and 263.41
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1. Fire hose and fire extinguishers
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2. Self-contained breathing apparatus, National
Fire Protection Association
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(NFPA) approved
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3. Exit lamps
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4. Exhaust fans
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5. Auxiliary generator
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6. Smoke detectors
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7. Emergency set of keys - see TCJS 259.154 Keys
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35.1.7 The student will be able to identify the
some methods to follow in case of a fire in the
facility.
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A. TCJS 263.42 - Fire Prevention Plan

• Each facility, after consultation with the local
  fire department or Texas Commission on fire
  Protection, shall have and implement a written
  plan, approved by the Commission, for fire
  prevention and a fire hazard inspection checklist
  which shall be evaluated no less than each
  calendar quarter. A local fire official shall
  inspect the facility annually.

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B. Each correctional officer should be familiar
with the agencys fire prevention emergency plan,
and operation of the agencys fire extinguishing
equipment.
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35.1.8 The student will be able to explain the
importance of advising a supervisor of the
location and type of fire.
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A. Someone other than the reporting officer
knows of the situation
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B. Additional personnel can respond
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35.1.9 The student will be able to identify some
circumstances that warrant movement or evacuation
of facility in case of fire.
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A. TCJS 263.10 - Removal of Occupants

• Because doors are locked and windows are secured
  in jails, provisions shall be made for the rapid
  removal of occupants by such reliable means as
  the remote control of door, or by keying all
  locks to keys readily available to staff who are
  continually on duty, and have undergone emergency
  drills.

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B. If there is substantial risk of injury or
death to inmates, mass movement or evacuation may
be warranted.
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C. Refer to department policy and procedure for
evacuation procedures.