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by Renee_Banot from FOX 6 Milwaukee

Last Post 300 days, 4 hours Ago


Whose Role is it Anyway?
Jan 25, 2008 | 7:11 AM
Category: News
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We've had ongoing discussions about the issue of who has to clean up crime scenes.

Blogger Jazzbode mentioned that the Milwaukee Fire Department will only flush a scene after it's cleared by Milwaukee Police. He's got experience -- and he's absolutely right. His words are supported by one of the heads of the MFD, someone I spoke with back in October. He says they need clearance before touching any of that stuff, and they'll come back to a scene if need be, if they're called on by police.

When I blogged about this in the fall, I mentioned I hadn't heard yet from MPD. Well, this week I spoke with the police spokeswoman. She told me there is no guideline for crime scene cleanup... but they typically do call on the fire department to treat and flush the area when they're done surveying the scene. She says they've been pretty good about cleaning it up promtply... and the incident of the blood left behind at 24th and Chambers was most likely a rare slip.

I don't want to alarm anyone-- this isn't a widespread issue. I'm just casting a net out there to see if this type of incident has happened more than this one time.

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Member Comments Total Comments: 8
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wiboots read my blog view my photos
Jan 25, 2008 | 11:32 AM

Renee:

jazzbode comments are correct as stated with this one exception:

Medical waste ie: rubber gloves, IV lines, medical packaging, etc. and blood are two different things.

I know the blood gets flushed after the crime scene investigation. But leaving the aforementioned items behind made no sense and it is a poor practice.

Just lazy as far as I'm concerned.
jazzbode read my blog view my photos
Jan 25, 2008 | 6:50 PM

I won't get into a running debate, but most companies have gotten very good about cleaning up the "trash" before leaving the scene. IV lines go with the patient, as they are connected to the patient. If a patient is "critical", the Engine companies assist the Med Unit with the transport, as we only have 2 personnel on the Med rig and 4 on the Engine. If the Engine has to give up 1 or 2 people to assist with the transport, the Engine is out of service until they get their personnel back. The Engine usually follows the Med rig to the hospital to expedite this, and that may be why some things get missed. NFPA regulations for fires is 2 in and 2 out, which is why the fire apparatus work with 4 members.
desertwindrider read my blog view my photos
Jan 26, 2008 | 2:00 AM

My co-workers and I have always cleaned up afterward. And we double check to make sure we haven't missed anything.
danceswthwoofs read my blog
Jan 26, 2008 | 8:05 AM

correct me if I'm wrong but I have yet to hear of any reason why all those doing the complaining about the packages and papers and boxes can't just bend the heck over and pick them up and put them in the garbage. Jeez would it hurt people so much to make the effort to pick up any trash and throw it out.
Oh pardon me! I'm sure they would be a lot hotter if the EMS people said "I'm sorry your love one had a heart attack, was shot, Hit by a car but while we leave them lay here for a while dying we have to pick up the paper, we would not want to offend someones sensibilities" or "while we bust our butts trying to keep them alive and get them to the hospital, would it kill you to pick up a piece of paper and throw it out"
MrsTracy read my blog view my photos
Jan 26, 2008 | 4:16 PM

Wow, Let's see. Who would "just bend the heck over" and pick up blood tainted objects, things that are probably terrible reminders of what took place there, and not their responsibility? I can think of all kinds of reasons the people in those communities would not want to touch those things. I wouldn't and I have never been faced with that situation. I just know that on top of the biohazzard they can have, if I saw that, I would not want to have to go through the motions of cleaning it up. That to me would almost be like reliving it.
desertwindrider read my blog view my photos
Jan 27, 2008 | 4:49 AM

Emergency staff wear gloves. It should be part of the emergency staff's responsibility to clean up. It doesn't take that long.
fedupwiththecjsystem read my blog
Jan 27, 2008 | 9:03 AM

Yes...my mom always taught me to pick up after myself, so I think the medical staff or police should take a minute and sweep up any left over garbage THEY left.
What may be happening is that many of the areas that the EMT's are sent to are so garbage filled that they just get the sense that a couple of gloves or wrappers won't make a bit of difference. It's not right, but I can understand it to a degree.
Do you think that the same EMT's or police would leave behind garbage in a subdivision with million dollar homes? I don't think so.
Perhaps a lot of the lazy people who live in some of these areas could "bend the heck over" and keep their neighborhoods clean.
MrsTracy read my blog view my photos
Jan 27, 2008 | 9:10 PM

Actually, when my friend died in her home, from what I understand, they left all of their things right on the floor. And this wasn't in a million dollar home, but it was a nicer neighborhood in a suburb. But sometimes they do have to kind of scoop the person up and go. She was still alive when they got her out the door and died at the hospital later. So they probably were more concerned about her than the stuff they left. But if these people died at the scene, then there was no hurry.
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Renee_Banot

I am a general assignment reporter-- which means I cover anything from "State Fair Foods on a Stick" to "A Visit from the President." Every assignment is different. Every day is a clean slate. I thank God for the opportunity to do what I love in my beloved hometown. Please feel free to browse my blog. Any comments, questions or story suggestions... LET 'ER RIP!

Member Since: 8/24/2006