Same for firefighters etc. I don't mean crowbars, but do they have special keys or what? If there's an outside door, an apartment door and a room door, are they really going to break them all?
2006-11-13 08:21:52 · 5 answers · asked by tigercat 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
This varies. One medic answer the question that they can't do it by law, in my area the laws are different. If I suspect that there is a pt inside and it is a life or limb threatening emergency, then I can enter without PD. Depending on the type of entry, we normally try to bust out a pane of glass, reach in, and unlock the door. When this isn't possible we'll make entry with a halligan bar (similiar to a crow bar) and an axe. Fortunately, most doors in my area will more than stand up to a solid kick.
Some businesses have what is called a Knox box on the outside. This is a secure box that has a key to the property. The fire department can open the knox box and get the property key. There is no generic, universal key to open doors. There are different types of tools available for knocking out locks or lock cylinders, but these are normally more trouble than they are worth. Bottom line, if there is a real emergency, your firefighter/paramedics care a lot more about your life than your door.
2006-11-16 09:50:18 · answer #1 · answered by Medic123456789 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Paramedics will not open locked doors; it would be unlawful entry, no matter what the reason. I'm a paramedic, and by law, I have to wait for the police to break open the door. I'm nearly certain that firefighters have to abide by the same rules, because I've had many conversations with firefighters while waiting for police outside someone's locked doors.
When the police get there, the usual method for opening doors is a swift boot kick. I suppose a crow bar could be used, but I've never seen it be necessary.
If you ever need to call 911, and your house door is locked, be sure to tell the 911 operator, so she knows to dispatch the police, too. In medical emergencies, the police are not usually dispatched, so you have to tell the operator that they are needed.
Yes, all the doors will be kicked down, and no we don't have a universal key. I wish we did, simply so I wouldn't have to hop a fence everytime I lock myself out of my apartment!
2006-11-13 23:41:43 · answer #2 · answered by rita_alabama 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they will bust in doors if there is an emergency. When 911 is called, most of the time there is not enough time to wait for a locksmith or someone else who has a key to arrive.
emergency personnel have to do what it takes to save lives..
2006-11-13 16:26:12 · answer #3 · answered by The Chesire Cat 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That is what the police are called on to do. Most EMTs or firefighters, unless they can see fire, will not break into an apartment or house, they wait for the police to do it.
2006-11-13 16:23:55 · answer #4 · answered by essentiallysolo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When they find the door doesnt open... one of them yells "CLEAR" ... and then proceeds to kick the door in...
There is no "universal key"
2006-11-13 16:24:16 · answer #5 · answered by bl00dsuckr 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋