Effective: 02-01-24
Supersedes:
Purpose: Under Chapter 23 of the Acts of 2022 (known commonly as “Nero’s Law,”), EMS is required to assess, treat and transport police K9s who are injured in the line of duty.
The statute defines “police dog” as a dog owned by a police department or police agency of the Commonwealth, or any political subdivision thereof, and used by the department or agency for official duties.
Policy: Brewster Ambulance Service will provide assessment, care, and transport to injured Police Dogs (K9) when appropriate and in accordance with applicable regulations and statewide treatment protocols.
Procedure:
1. EMS will require the assistance of the police dog’s handler or backup handler to approach an injured dog and ensure it is safe for EMS personnel to attend to the police dog. If neither police K9 handler or backup K9 handler are available, EMS may contact local Animal Control for assistance restraining and safely treating and transporting the police dog.
2. If transport by ambulance would impair EMS’ ability to respond to persons who need EMS care and transport, Animal Control may be considered an appropriate transport choice as long as Animal Control is available and appropriately equipped to transport the police dog. At no time shall EMS care of a police dog take priority over a person needing EMS care.
3. Whenever possible, a Field Supervisor should be requested to the scene involving an injured police K9 that may require treatment and/or transportation. The Communication Center shall be notified of the decision to transport a Police K9 to determine the appropriate point of entry.
4. The Communication Center shall alert the receiving facility at the phone number listed in the Statewide Point-of-Entry Plan for Police Dogs, using the Public Safety Access Point (PSAP) and or / cell phone. If the facility is unable to accept the dog, the crew should be notified and rerouted to the next closest facility.
5. EMS shall document all responses to police dogs on a patient care report (PCR). In electronic PCRs, and for submission to MATRIS, EMTS shall document Police Dog transports by entering “K9”in the Patient Last Name field (ePatient 02).
6. Upon completion of the call, the ambulance and all equipment will be decontaminated in accordance with administrative requirements and standard company practice.