How do paramedics get into locked houses and apartments when they are saving people?

Question

Do they just kick in the front door? Do they have some super special key? A small battering ram perhaps?

Answer 1

They have a battering ram if they can't get the door open

Answer 2

Paramedics and firefighters can not force entry into a house. This is why it's important to make sure your door is unlocked if you need to call for help.

If the door is locked, the paramedics and firefighters have to wait for the police to arrive to gain access. The police usually use a well placed boot kick (from what I've seen). There is no super special key to open all doors, although some police officers can pick a lock pretty well. I've never heard of a battering ram used, because that equipment is pretty specialized and not carried by most ordinary police officers (the SWAT teams have one, though). I have heard of police breaking a window to gain access, and I'm sure some have used a crowbar or halligan tool to pry the door open.

I've had to wait outside doors, while I've heard people crying for help, just because I can't break in, and the patient was too weak to get to the door. It's bad for the patient to wait, but it's bad for me to break in, because I can be charged with a crime if I forcibly gain access without a police officer on scene. You'd think that a patient wouldn't care that a paramedic broke into her home to help her, but you'd be suprised! Also, waiting for the police to arrive gives me legal protection, so the patient can't say that I stole something before the police got there. Again, you'd be suprised what people like to accuse us of!

So, in conclusion, if you need to call 911, make sure someone is available to unlock your door, or tell the dispatcher that your door is locked and you can't unlock it, so she will know to dispatch the police.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Get Into Locked House

Answer 4

Normally they have the police or fire department do it. At least where I have lived.

Pry bars, and battering devices.

We were worried about our next door neighbor , she was elderly and we had not seen her for several days, She had not told anyone that she was going anywhere.

Well the police with the paramedics when in, she was not home, when she got back, she had meet a new "boyfriend" at the senoir citizens center and went away for a few days with him, but did not want anyone to know. ( guess everyone knew then)

I paid for the door to be fixed since I had called the police for a welfare check

Answer 5

Most of the time they don't have to break down the door. All lock manufacturers make their locks so they can be opened by a master key. Police and emergency personnel keep a ring of these keys in them (plus some other important keys like elevator override keys etc.). They simply look at the brand of lock and then open it with the appropriate key.

Answer 6

The cops are the ones that get in, paramedics are not supposed to go inside until the cops secure the place. The cops kick the doors in.

Answer 7

If they need to gain entry, they usually call in the fire dept. to break down the door, or if the police are first present, they break down the door.

Answer 8

the fire dept arrives with the paramedics and they will get in by kicking in door or other ways....break a window, etc.....

Answer 9

ram or other fireman type tools...a police officer has to believe that immediate danger to the person inside is present, otherwise they will be liable for the damage.

Answer 10

break window or kick in door