OHIO GOOD SAMARITAN LAW
Application to Private Security Personnel
Prepared by:
Commander T. Reed, OPOTA
Security & Law Enforcement Training
I. Purpose
Private security personnel are frequently among the first individuals to encounter a person experiencing a medical emergency, traumatic injury, or other life-threatening event. Security officers may be required by their assignment, employer, training, or post orders to respond to emergencies and summon appropriate assistance.
Ohio’s Good Samaritan protections should therefore be understood as part of a broader emergency-response and risk-management framework for private security operations.
II. Ohio Good Samaritan Protection
Ohio Revised Code § 2305.23 provides civil-liability protection under specified circumstances for individuals who voluntarily provide emergency care or assistance in good faith at the scene of an emergency.
However, security personnel must understand that the statute contains specific requirements and limitations. A security officer should not automatically assume that Good Samaritan immunity applies simply because the officer provides first aid while on duty.
Whether the statutory protection applies depends upon the circumstances, including the individual’s role, whether the assistance was provided as part of employment, and other requirements contained in the statute.
III. Standard for Ohio Security Personnel
When confronted with an emergency, a professional security officer should:
1. Recognize the emergency and assess the immediate circumstances.
2. Immediately activate 911/EMS when emergency medical assistance is required.
3. Provide care within the officer’s training and authorization.
4. Follow established company policies and emergency-response protocols.
5. Avoid exceeding the scope of training or attempting procedures for which the officer is not qualified.
6. Maintain scene safety for the injured person, responding personnel, and others present.
7. Transfer care to EMS or other appropriately qualified medical personnel when they arrive.
8. Document the incident accurately and objectively.
IV. First Aid and Emergency Medical Intervention
Security personnel who receive appropriate training may encounter circumstances requiring immediate intervention before EMS arrives.
Examples may include:
– Severe or life-threatening bleeding;
– Cardiac arrest;
– Choking;
– Unconsciousness;
– Traumatic injury;
– Falls;
– Suspected overdose;
– Respiratory emergencies; and
– Other life-threatening medical conditions.
Where the officer is trained and authorized to provide emergency care, the officer should follow the applicable training protocol and provide only the care reasonably necessary under the circumstances.
For example, an officer trained in bleeding-control techniques may provide appropriate bleeding-control measures while awaiting EMS, consistent with the officer’s training and company policy.
V. Good Faith and Reasonable Conduct
Emergency response should be performed in good faith, with the primary objective of protecting life and obtaining appropriate professional medical assistance.
Security personnel should avoid unnecessary intervention and should not allow fear of liability to prevent them from taking reasonable emergency-response measures within their training and lawful authority.
At the same time, Good Samaritan protection should never be interpreted as authorization to provide medical treatment beyond an officer’s training, certification, or lawful scope of practice.
VI. Documentation Requirements
Following an emergency medical incident, the security officer should complete a detailed incident report addressing:
– Date, time, and location;
– How the emergency was discovered;
– Condition of the individual upon discovery;
– Observations made by the security officer;
– 911/EMS notification and time of notification;
– Emergency care provided;
– Medical equipment or emergency supplies utilized;
– Names of witnesses, when available;
– Arrival time of EMS;
– Care provided by EMS, to the extent observed;
– Transfer of care; and
– Any relevant statements made by witnesses or the individual receiving assistance.
Reports should contain objective observations rather than medical diagnoses or unsupported conclusions.
VII. Professional Training Principle
For Ohio private security training, the following principle should be emphasized:
«”Security personnel should act promptly, professionally, and within the limits of their training and lawful authority when responding to an emergency. The priority is to protect life, summon appropriate emergency assistance, provide authorized care, and safely transfer responsibility to qualified medical personnel.”»
VIII. Important Legal Distinction
The Ohio Good Samaritan statute should not be treated as blanket immunity for all actions taken by a security officer.
Security companies and officers should separately consider:
– Ohio Revised Code requirements;
– Company policies and post orders;
– The officer’s training and certifications;
– The officer’s employment responsibilities;
– Applicable medical-response protocols;
– The circumstances of the emergency; and
– Whether the officer’s conduct remained within the scope of lawful and reasonable emergency assistance.
IX. Conclusion
A professional security officer’s responsibility during a medical emergency extends beyond simply protecting property. Security personnel may be called upon to recognize emergencies, summon emergency services, initiate appropriate life-safety measures, protect the scene, assist within their training, and facilitate the transition to professional medical care.
Understanding Ohio’s Good Samaritan protections helps security personnel recognize both the importance of providing reasonable emergency assistance and the legal limitations governing that assistance.
Prepared for Professional Security Training and Policy Development
Commander T. Reed, OPOTA
Security & Law Enforcement Training
