In what situation should emergency personnel consider the use of law enforcement assistance?

The use of law enforcement assistance is particularly warranted in situations where crowd control issues arise. This scenario may occur during an emergency event, such as a fire or an accident, where large crowds gather and create potential hazards for both responders and bystanders. Law enforcement is trained to manage crowds, ensuring that emergency personnel can work effectively without obstruction, and can maintain order in a chaotic environment. When crowd control issues are evident, the presence of law enforcement helps to enforce safety protocols, prevent unauthorized access to the scene, and provide a secure environment for emergency responders to operate safely.

In contrast, scenarios focusing solely on specific functions like fire control or assessing the type of fire do not inherently require law enforcement involvement. Once the fire is extinguished, the urgency for law enforcement is also reduced, as the immediate safety concerns related to the incident tend to diminish. Thus, the need for law enforcement assistance is most aligned with managing crowd dynamics and ensuring public safety during an active emergency response.