Legal Ramifications of Joining a Formal Church "Emergency Response Team"

[Yep, Me]

A church is starting a designated "Emergency Response Team" for each service, & of course, they are asking all the nurses, doctors, EMTs etc to join. My questions are: the legal ramifications for nursing volunteers. Obviously we won't be covered by the Good Samaritan Law, since we have accepted a volunteer position. Every question about "policy, procedures, & training requirements/tracking" is met with blank stares. I stated to some people who are arranging this that I would certainly like to discuss the organization of this with those who are doing the organizing, not to assist in organization, but to make sure that everything that is set up will properly safeguard our professional licenses. Don't think that I'm heartless: but I've been a nurse for nearly 40 years & I've seen what people are capable of in their grief & loss (& also out of avarice). I've assisted with some emergencies as a Good Samaritan in church, but completely on an individual basis, & every one that has happened when I was attending. I emailed the State Board & their response was "we can't tell you if this fits within your scope or the legalities of your license, but if there is a complaint re: a nurse volunteering on a formal emergency response team, we will investigate it & take action as necessary", which certainly does NOT make me feel secure in the slightest.

[TriciaJ, RN]

This is a ERT for the within the church & only for services. This is not for community disaster response.

This might be a hard thing to organize, because the same people aren't going to be there every time. Without a specific team it's going to work like any other public place: someone calls 911 and someone else administers interim assistance. Hopefully, everyone knows who the qualified people are, and back off to let them start the process. In this case, the Good Samaritan laws should apply.

I wonder if trying to organize a specific team might just open more doors to litigation without enhancing anyone's chance of survival.

[Yep, Me]

Yes, that was one of my most pressing questions: Who is designated to do what? Who documents qualifications? Who outlines processes? How does the ERT leadership management verify qualifications, training, & competency? In the case of an Emergency during church services, who is assigns responsibilities & directs the response? I fear that without that type of oversight, this does only open doors to litigation, without enhancing anyone's chance of survival.

[heinz57]

This topic peaked my curiosity. Working mostly weekends, I am not a regular church goer but this is an interesting topic. With just a quick google search I came up with a mountain of information which I had not initially thought about but know now an ERT is a great idea. It is much more than the Johnny Rescue stuff some are assuming.

Examples:

https://www.illinois.gov/ready/plan/documents/emergency_plan_sample.pdf

https://adacounty.id.gov/Portals/Accem/Doc/PDF/FaithBasedEmergencyPlanTemplate22410.pdf

http://www.mennonitemutual.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Sample-Emergency-Response-Policy.pdf

These cover things like fire, smoke, fire extinguishers, storms, hostile people, safe evacuations, how to properly call 911 with the correct information and handicap seating. I have seen situations myself as part of a church event where people were so caught up in the ceremonies they forgot to stay hydrated or eat and stayed too long to where they needed to rest. It just takes a nice observant person to make a difference most of the time and not a whole fire rescue ambulance crew at a $1000 fee per ride. Most of the stuff is common sense things which you should do just as a decent human being and shouldn't walk away from safety issues just because you are "a nurse" and don't want to involve your "license".

I say check it out. Obviously there are many guidelines published by churches everywhere.

[Yep, Me]

Thank you so very much. I certainly want to respond "as a decent human being". However, my license goes wherever I go, so it is always involved. & I've worked too long to put it in jeopardy by lack of planning at this point in time.

[cherryelle07]

I think it would be a great idea if done correctly. I remember when my old church when I lived in Texas held a camp for children in the community and a lady who was an RN volunteered to be a "camp nurse" during the event. She oversaw the medications for the campers, applied first aid, administered CPR if needed, etc. But it was only for a few days. Not an indefinite long time. I would definitely talk to the person organizing this and make sure they have a lawyer look over the legalities of it. If it can't be done, maybe the church can look into working with the Red Cross to offer classes on First Aid and CPR and classes on educating the best practices on calling EMS and how to properly communicate with the dispatcher in the event of an emergency. I'm sure it would make every EMS dispatcher's life easier if everyone provided clear and concise information when calling.

[verene, MSN]

I am wondering - if the goal is to have people able to respond to emergencies during services and activities - if it wouldn't make more sense to offer opportunities for congregants to receive BLS/first aid training through or sponsored by the church. It would increase the number of people who would have basic skills in an emergency situation, and do away with the need for all/ most members of a team to be present at every service and activity.

I think it could be empowering for lay persons with in the congregation to have a bit more sense of what to do while waiting for EMS either at church or in the personal lives. It would also negate much of the legal issues facing trained medical personnel opporating outside of protocols as a congregant would presumably be responding would be covered under Good Samaritan laws.