Legal Aspects & USCG Policy

Question 1

State the definition of a false alarm

Answer 1

A case where the subject reported to
be in distress is confirmed not to be in
distress and not to be in need of
assistance. In a false alert case, the
reporting source either misjudged a
situation or inadvertently activated a
distress signal or beacon resulting in
an erroneous request for help, but did
not deliberately act to deceive.

Question 2

State the definition of a hoax

Answer 2

A case where information is conveyed

with the intent to deceive

Question 3

State an understanding of the policy

for closing hoax and false alarm cases

Answer 3

When the source of a hoax or false
alert has been confirmed. SMC or the
SC should close the case. However,
when the source of a suspected false
alert or hoax remains unknown, the
case cannot be closed, but only
suspended.
Either the SC or SMC (with
concurrence from the SC) may do
this. In the event Coast Guard
resources responded to a suspected
hoax at the request of another
agency, Coast Guard active
involvement should only be withdrawn
or reduced when the SC so directs.

Question 4

State an understanding of the CG

firefighting policy

Answer 4

Independent firefighting. Coast Guard
personnel shall not engage in
independent firefighting operations,

except to save a life
or in the early stages of a fire to avert a significant threat without undue risk.

Coast Guard personnel shall not actively engage in firefighting
except in
support of a regular firefighting agency under the supervision of a qualified fire officer