It has come to the Auckland Local’s attention that some Officers may not be transmitting K41 and K13 codes when it is appropriate and necessary to do so.  

The Auckland Local would like to remind Firefighters and Officers of the importance of transmitting K41 and K13 codes, as well as entering exposure to traumatic, or potentially traumatic events, in Safe@Work. 

The transmission of these K-codes assists to articulate the risk of psychological injury loading Firefighters are encountering.  If these codes are not transmitted, where appropriate, there is the potential for this loading to be underestimated, which may come at the cost of an appropriate organisational response.  

The Local would like officers to err on the side of caution and transmit the K13 code if there is any potential for a call to be traumatic.  This may require a discussion with your crew (please note that transmission of a K13 is for data gathering and will not necessarily lead to follow up).  When a K41 or K13 code is transmitted, consider including some basic details of the call in the notes section of the Fire Report, as these details may have been removed from the Incident Report for confidentiality purposes.  It is also important that Safe@Work entries are made by all of those who attended a potentially traumatic incident as these entries provide both a record of the exposure for the individual as well as the opportunity to request follow up assistance if it is required (though an entry should be made whether follow up is required or not). 

The Local would encourage Firefighters and Officers to familiarise themselves once again with the attached guidance document and ensure K41’s, K13’s, and Safe@Work entries are being made where appropriate.