ORDINANCE
Motion/Request:
title
MOTION to adopt a proposed "An Ordinance Concerning Liability Pertaining To First Responders Providing Emergency Assistance" as contained in the draft dated July 17, 2023.
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Background:
Recently the town received a bill for damage to a door when the Police Department responded to an emergency call. When the Police arrived at the resident's home their vehicle was in the driveway, and the house was locked. The Police looked into the house and being concerned for the wellness of the individual; they breached the door. As it turned out, the individual was not in the home, because a friend had already taken the individual to the emergency room. However, when the Police arrived at the home they did not know this, noting that the individual could have been unconscious and laying on the floor.
The proposed "An Ordinance Concerning Liability Pertaining To First Responders Providing Emergency Assistance" cites the State Statute 52-557(b) regarding the "Good Samaritan Law" exempting emergency responders from liability. The purpose of having such an Ordinance on file was to bring the law to the attention of residents.
Pursuant to provisions of Connecticut General Statutes 52-557(b) "Good Samaritan Law".
(b) A paid or volunteer firefighter or police officer, a teacher or other school personnel on the school grounds or in the school building or at a school function, a member of a ski patrol, a lifeguard, a conservation officer, patrol officer or special police officer of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, or emergency medical service personnel, who (1) has completed a course in first aid offered by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, the National Ski Patrol, the Department of Public Health, any director of health or an organization using guidelines for first aid published by the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross, that is certified by the organization or director of h...
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