Violent M.O.

[z_moonchild]

Whenever I listen to Montgomery County I periodically here the phrase “Violent M.O., the scene is not secure”

Does anyone know what “M.O.” stands for?

 

[ericcarlson]

The exact meaning of "MO" depends on who you ask but it refers to mental/psych patients. I consider it "Mental Observation" as-in someone in need of mental observation. Some prefer "Mentally Off."

This term is listed on my Mo. Co. Fire/Rescue page.

-Eric

 

[z_moonchild]

I’ve heard this on Montgomery County’s Fire Dispatch (7A) and the corrosponding response channels, I don’t think I’ve heard it anywhere else. Sometimes the scene is secure, sometimes it’s not secure, and it’s usually followed by a statement indicating whether or not police are on the scene.
I’ve come to the personal conclusion that it’s referring to a situation that’s involving a person that’s violent and possibly has a weapon. In an obscure way maybe it means the person is “Mentally Off”.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[ericcarlson]

As I said, it is used for people with some kind of mental problem. It is used by both fire/rescue and the police in Montgomery County. If the call is dispatched as simply "an M.O." then it's implied to be a non-violent mental problem and it is BLS call. If the call is dispatched as a "violent M.O." then the police are automatically dispatched as well. For a violent M.O., fire/rescue units will stage away from the scene until the police arrive and make it safe. For fire/rescue, a violent M.O. is a BLS call with manpower required, so you will hear an ambulance and a manpower piece (engine, truck, rescue squad, etc.) dispatched.

-Eric

 

[z_moonchild]

Thanks

 

[Starion]

I thought m.o. stood for modus operandi. Thanks for the info everyone.