Chapter 32 - Active Shooter Response

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of an active shooter?

To continuously cause death or serious bodily injury on a large scale. (correct)

To engage with law enforcement and challenge their abilities.

To take hostages for negotiation purposes.

To commit robbery or other criminal acts.

What is the main function of a Contact Officer during an active shooter event?

To manage communications on the Common Channel.

To set up a Casualty Collection Point.

To locate and neutralize the immediate threat. (correct)

To establish a perimeter in the Cold Zone.

Which zone is characterized by an immediate and direct threat to personal safety?

The Cold Zone.

The Hot Zone. (correct)

The Warm Zone.

The Contact Zone.

In a Hostage Barricade Crisis, what is typically the suspect's primary objective?

To use hostages as leverage during negotiations with authorities. Signup and view all the answers

What would be considered a 'Driving Force' that would prompt immediate action from a deputy?

Actionable intelligence that victims need immediate lifesaving medical care. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary criterion for a violent incident to be considered 'hot'?

Until law enforcement determines otherwise. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following BEST describes the function of the Incident Command Post (ICP)?

A tactical location for incident command and direction. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main objective of establishing an Outer Perimeter at an incident?

To keep the inner perimeter secure and prevent outside entry. Signup and view all the answers

Which description accurately portrays the role of the Rescue Task Force (RTF)?

They are tasked with the initial treatment and triage of victims in the warm zone, protected by law enforcement. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Unified Command' aim to achieve during an incident?

A single command structure with a single Incident Action Plan (IAP). Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason deputies should remain upwind and uphill when dealing with hazardous materials?

To maintain a safe distance until the material is identified Signup and view all the answers

Which step should NOT be taken when assessing potential hazardous materials?

Make initial assessments from up close Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of Unified Command in hazardous material incidents?

To ensure effective planning and coordination among agencies Signup and view all the answers

What may indicate the transition from a hazardous material incident to a more serious event?

Connections to terrorism or related threats Signup and view all the answers

Which agency is typically tasked with responding to and mitigating hazardous materials?

Environmental Safety Department (ESD) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the Bexar County Sheriff's Office during a HAZMAT incident?

Perimeter control, security, and support of ESD operations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following materials would be classified as HAZMAT?

Nuclear material Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates mandatory evacuation from voluntary evacuation in a HAZMAT situation?

Mandatory evacuation requires residents to leave immediately. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Unified Command' refer to in the context of HAZMAT incidents?

A collaborative effort among multiple agencies with common objectives Signup and view all the answers

What action is taken when a mandatory evacuation is declared?

All law enforcement operations are ceased in that area. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a Casualty Collection Point (CCP)?

A designated area within the Warm Zone with security for assembling casualties needing medical aid. Signup and view all the answers

According to the provided definitions, what distinguishes a 'Critical Incident' from a 'Civil Disturbance'?

Critical incidents are defined by the potential for severe injuries or death by any person, whereas civil disturbances may involve property damage. Signup and view all the answers

Who is primarily responsible for managing all incident operations, including strategy development and resource allocation?

The Incident Commander Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Inner Perimeter at an incident?

To restrict the movement of the threat to a specified area. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Incident Supervisor?

They are the first on-duty supervisor to arrive at the scene of an emergency or critical incident. Signup and view all the answers

According to Bexar County Sheriff's Office policy, what is the paramount concern when resolving critical incidents?

Minimizing risk to life. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary aim of the Bexar County Sheriff's Office policy regarding emergency and critical incident operations?

To provide deputies and supervisors a set of protocols to follow. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes an 'active attack' as defined by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office policy?

An incident involving one or more armed persons using or likely to use deadly force in an ongoing manner. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes an 'active shooter' according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office policy?

They are actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people, often using firearms with no apparent selection method. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Bexar County Sheriff's Office procedure emphasize about deviations from standard protocols during unusual occurrences?

Command personnel are allowed to deviate from procedure if necessary to address obstacles. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Bexar County Sheriff's Office Policy Manual - Response to Active Shooter Incidents

Policy Objective: Protect human lives, resolve incidents by isolating, distracting, and neutralizing the shooter, and expedite medical treatment.
Initial Response: First arriving deputies immediately isolate, distract, and neutralize the shooter.
Equipment: Officers should wear body armor and utilize available specialized equipment (e.g., ballistic shields, shoulder weapons).
Definitions:
- Active Attack: Incident where one or more armed persons use or are likely to use deadly force against others.
- Active Shooter: Individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people using a deadly weapon.
- Active Shooter Incident: Multiple individuals systematically engaging in a shooting/killing spree to inflict mass casualties.
- Casualty Collection Point (CCP): Designated location in the Warm Zone for assembling and providing medical care to the injured.
- Cold Zone: Area where first responders operate with minimal threat to personal safety.
- Hot Zone: Immediate incident location with a direct and immediate threat to personal safety.
- Common Channel: System-wide talk-group used for rapid communication in the Bexar County radio system.
Responding Deputies:
- Priorities: Isolate, distract, neutralize the threat, and preserve life by providing immediate first aid.
- Duties: Identify threat actors, note weapon descriptions, last known location, and implement a coordinated contact team if necessary.
Responding Supervisors:
- Duties: Focus on the primary objective—isolating, distracting, and neutralizing the threat; identifying and establishing tactical locations (inner and outer perimeters). Establish a Incident Command Post.
Incident Command Post (ICP): Designated tactical location to command and direct resources within the Warm Zone.
Warm Zone: Geographic area where law enforcement has either cleared or isolated the threat; considered clear but not secure.
Communication Protocol: The Bexar County system involves patching police radio channels to a common channel for broader communication; notifying the commander of the Special Operations Unit if needed, dispatchers prioritizing the incident, and directing responding deputies to the Common Channel for instructions.
Post Incident Procedures: Ensuring all responding units remain vigilant for additional threats, providing medical care, evacuating the injured using Rescue Task Force (RTF) teams, and de-mobilizing all resources. The incident is considered "safe" only when the Incident Commander declares it so.
Contact Team: A team of 2-5 deputies who coordinate into the hot zone to address a threat.
Driving Force—Factors that lead a deputy to believe that there is a threat of death or serious bodily injury.
Hostage Barricade Crisis: Incident involving a suspect who holds someone hostage; hostage is not a target; intent is to use hostage as leverage.
Contact Officer: First deputy at the scene of a shooting tasked with locating the suspect(s), stopping the threat, and giving information.
Unusual Occurrence: An emergency of such magnitude as to require the recall of personnel or support of other agencies to protect life and property, or to prevent escalation. Incidents like civil unrest or natural disasters could fall into this category.
Threshold Evaluation: A series of steps to determine if an incident poses an immediate safety threat. This will help in making informed decisions at the scene.
Speed of Movement: Deputies should move at a pace that allows for accuracy and safety.

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Description

This quiz covers the Bexar County Sheriff's Office policy manual for responding to active shooter incidents. It includes procedures for protecting lives, isolating threats, and expediting medical treatment. Understand the definitions and key strategies involved in these critical situations.