When doing crowd control at a fire scene, what should officers be particularly aware of?

In crowd control at a fire scene, officers should be particularly vigilant about any suspicious persons or vehicles. This focus is critical because fires can attract individuals with malicious intentions, such as thieves or individuals looking to exploit the chaos for criminal activity. Recognizing and monitoring such potential threats enables officers to prevent looting, vandalism, or other criminal acts that could occur amidst the turmoil of a fire.

While being aware of fire hoses, smoke direction, and the presence of fire personnel is also important in maintaining safety and facilitating efficient operations during the incident, the primary concern in terms of security and potential criminal activity lies in monitoring the crowd for suspicious behaviors. This vigilance helps to protect not only the emergency responders on scene but also the gathered public who may be in a vulnerable situation during a significant emergency like a fire.