Active Shooter Events Standard Operating Guideline PDF

Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) TLEI – Active Shooter Events Effective Date: 01/01/2017 Procedure Number 04-17A Revised Date: 07/01/2019 Number of Pages...

Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) TLEI – Active Shooter Events Effective Date: 01/01/2017 Procedure Number 04-17A Revised Date: 07/01/2019 Number of Pages 13 1. Overview The goal of this guideline is to get trained Salt Lake City Fire Department (SLCFD) emergency medical personnel and resources to the casualties of an Active Shooter Event (ASE) within a reasonable amount of time of being wounded. While the general SLCFD practice of “staging” assets at a safe distance until all threats are neutralized may be appropriate for many potentially violent situations, during Active Shooter Events, considerations should be made for more aggressive EMS operations in areas of higher but mitigated risk to ensure casualties can be rapidly accessed, evacuated, triaged, treated, and transported. Care of these casualties is a shared responsibility between the SLCFD and Law Enforcement (LE). The response to an Active Shooter Event is a continuum that requires close coordination between LE officers and SLCFD responders at all levels. Optimal outcomes depend on clear communication between both agencies before and during the event. Consequently, it is important that SLCFD personnel have a general understanding of active shooter law enforcement tactics when responding to this type of incident as well as an organized, coordinated operational plan. 2. Definitions Active Shooter: Any armed person who uses or has used deadly physical force on a person or persons and continues to do so while having unrestricted access to additional potential casualties. Note that the term “shooter” is used throughout this SOG but it is understood that deadly weapons other than firearms can be used for these violent, mass casualty assaults. Ballistic Personal Protective Equipment (BPPE): Protective equipment worn by Rescue Task Force members designed to stop, turn, or impede ballistic projectiles. This includes Kevlar helmets and plate carriers with Level IV plates. Casualty Collection Point (CCP): A specific designated location within the Cold Zone and outside of the Inner Perimeter where casualties are assembled to be triaged, treated, and transported to a medical treatment facility. This is a safe location where SLCFD personnel can interface with LE operations and receive casualties without the threat of injury or violence. Transfer of medical care from the LE Rescue Teams, Rescue Task Forces, and Extraction Teams to SLCFD EMS personnel happens here. Concealment: Objects, structural elements, and/or locations that hides an individual from view but does not provide protection from incoming hostile fire. 04-17A Active Shooter Events (SOG), Page 1 of 13 Contact Team(s): The initial team(s) of LE officers who form at the scene of an Active Shooter Event and deploy to the shooter’s location with the goal of initiating contact to contain or eliminate the active shooter to prevent further injury, loss of life, or escape. Cover: Objects, structural elements, and/or locations that stops, turns, or impedes incoming hostile fire. Dynamic Risk Assessment: The continuous process of gathering and evaluating information throughout the entire incident in an effort to properly determine the presence of any or all potential hazards or dangerous conditions to public safety personnel and the public that may be present or may occur during an operation to determine the appropriate risk level of that pending operation (e.g. a Green Light versus Red Light condition). Extraction Team(s): A combination of SLCFD and LE Force Protection personnel who deploy after the Rescue Task Forces with the goal of extracting/directing viable casualties to the Casualty Collection Point. These casualties may include the “walking wounded” and/or those already treated by the Rescue Task Forces. Extraction Teams may don BPPE if available and deploy into the Warm Zone with LE Force Protection. If BPPE is not available, these teams will only deploy into the Cold Zone or down established Security Corridors under the direction of law enforcement. Force Protection: A team of law enforcement officers specifically designated to escort and provide armed security to the medical Rescue Task Force. The ideal configuration is four LE officers, with the minimum being two per medical Rescue Task Force. It is understood that the dynamics of the situation will dictate the size of the Force Protection team and their deployment configuration. Force Protection LE officers may also provide security at the Casualty Collection Point and throughout the Security Corridor. Immediate Action Rapid Deployment (IARD): The swift and immediate deployment of law enforcement resources to ongoing, life threatening situations where delayed deployment could otherwise result in death or serious bodily injury to innocent persons. Improvised Explosive Device (IED): A device placed or fabricated in an improvised manner incorporating destructive, lethal, noxious, pyrotechnic, or incendiary chemicals and designed to destroy, incapacitate, harass, or distract. It may incorporate military stores, but is normally devised from nonmilitary components. Inner Perimeter: A geographically defined area in which subjects are contained. Entrance and egress is controlled by law enforcement. Typically, this is the outer wall of the structure/building or the property boundaries in which the incident occurred. LE Rescue Team: Team(s) of LE officers who form at the scene of an Active Shooter Event and deploy behind the Contact Teams directly into the Hot Zone with the goal of extracting viable casualties out of immediate harm’s way. These casualties may be moved behind cover, to a Medical Rally Point, or directly to Casualty Collection Point. An LE Rescue Team will become a Contact Team if they encounter the shooter. 04-17A Active Shooter Events (SOG), Page 2 of 13 Medical Rally Point (MRP): An area within the Inner Perimeter Warm Zone where casualties are collected temporarily only if they cannot be immediately transported directly to the Casualty Collection Point. This is considered a clear but unsecured internal location where Rescue Task Force personnel rendezvous with casualties and takeover/begin medical care and evacuation. MRPs can be: 1. A spontaneously selected location based on the dynamics of the situation and/or environment. These may include a clear room or area of cover where casualties brought directly from the Hot Zone by LE Rescue Teams are collected. Or, an area where a group of casualties are discovered already in close proximity to each other (e.g. classroom, small office, etc.). Or; 2. A pre-designated location within the Inner Perimeter developed from preplanning for a specific event or location. It should be noted that during an extended, ongoing event, RTF personnel could be staged/held in these areas to await casualties being brought out of an active Hot Zone by LE Rescue Teams. Operational Zones: Geographic locations or areas established based on the severity of the threat or hazard. Hot Zone: The geographic location within the Inner Perimeter in immediate proximity to a known threat (i.e. any uncontrolled area where an active shooter could directly engage others). Individuals within this zone are capable of taking effective incoming hostile fire or in other ways being injured. Warm Zone: The geographic location either inside or outside of the Inner Perimeter but may still be in the general proximity of a known or potential threat (i.e. an area where LE has either cleared or isolated the threat to a level of minimal or mitigated risk). Individuals within this zone are less likely of taking effective incoming hostile fire through the use of LE perimeter protection, hard cover, structure layout, and/or distance. This area can be considered “clear” but not “secure.” Cold Zone: The geographic location outside of the Inner Perimeter and well away from any known or potential threat. Individuals within this zone are no longer capable of taking any incoming hostile fire through the use of hard cover and distance. NOTE: When determining Operational Zones, do not get fixated on concentric circles surrounding the scene; zones might be discontinues, asymmetrical, and dynamic depending on the threat’s locations. Outer Perimeter: A larger area encompassing the Inner Perimeter, which is controlled by law enforcement and from which the public is excluded. Typically the city block in which the incident occurred. Rescue Group Supervisor (RGS): An SLCFD member assigned to supervise the resources dedicated to the Rescue Group that includes Rescue Task Forces and Extraction Teams. The RGS coordinates with the LE officer in charge of the Force Protection elements to form RTFs. The RGS directs/coordinates the RTF rescue operation with the goal of rapid treatment and extraction of casualties from the Warm Zone. The RGS serves as the primary point of communication between the RTFs, Extraction Teams, the Medical Group Supervisor, and Command. Rescue Task Force (RTF): A combination of SLCFD and LE Force Protection personnel deployed within the Warm Zone to areas that are clear but not necessarily secure to provide point-of- wound care to casualties. RTFs assess, treat, stabilize, and prepare casualties for removal from 04-17A Active Shooter Events (SOG), Page 3 of 13 the Warm Zone to the Casualty Collection Point where they can then be triaged and receive definitive care and/or transportation to the hospital. RTFs wear Ballistic Personal Protective Equipment and operate under the direction of the RTF Team Leader and report to the Rescue Group Supervisor. As a minimum, an RTF shall have two SLCFD medical personnel and two armed Force Protection officers. However, the ideal configuration is four LE officers and four medical providers. Security Corridor: The geographic travel path secured by Force Protection and other LE officers used by Rescue Task Forces and Extraction Teams to access and egress the Warm Zone. Non- injured persons and ambulatory casualties evacuating the Hot and Warms Zones may be directed down these corridors as well. Tactical Command: Commands and coordinates the tactical law enforcement response within the Inner Perimeter of an incident. Tactical Terms and Benchmarks: Specific communication terminology used during an Active Shooter Event. These include: Clear: An LE term used to describe an area that revealed no immediate or direct life threat during an initial sweep by LE officers but is not 100% secure. This is not to be confused with an area that is “All Clear” or empty of casualties. Secure: An LE term used to describe an area that has been completely cleared of all direct and in direct threats and is actively controlled by LE officers. It is free of any immediate danger. Green Light: A term used to approve or allow the entry of the RTF into the Warm Zone or other areas where there is no direct or immediate threat present. This is a “GO” command/condition. Red Light: A term used to stop or halt the entry of the RTF into any zone or area due to the presence or potential presence of a direct or immediate threat. This is a “NO GO, STOP” command/condition. Primary Search All Clear: A benchmark term declared when all immediately accessible, viable casualties and persons have been removed from the area of RTF operations (i.e. Warm Zone) to the CCP. Obvious deceased bodies may still be left in place. Secondary Search All Clear: A benchmark term declared when all accessible, viable casualties and persons have been removed from the entire incident area (i.e. all zones within the Inner Perimeter). Obvious deceased bodies may still be left in place. Tactical Operations Center (TOC): The location where law enforcement tactical operations are coordinated through the incident’s LE Tactical Commander. The TOC may or may not be co- located with the Unified Command Post. Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) Guidelines: The civilian equivalent of the military’s combat medical guidelines (i.e. TCCC). TECC guidelines account for the unique operational considerations and limitations of medical operations in high-risk conditions and prioritize and focus medical efforts to only what must be done to affect survival. 04-17A Active Shooter Events (SOG), Page 4 of 13  Tactical Medics (TMs): Specially trained and equipped SLCFD personnel currently assigned to the SLCPD SWAT Team. They are sworn SFOs/LEOs and trained in the principles of TECC/TCCC and LE tactical operations. Unified Command: Incident management performed by representatives of several agencies to assure that a consistent response plan is developed and deployed and that all actions are performed in a safe, well-coordinated manner. 3. Guideline Active Shooter Events require close coordination with law enforcement at all levels utilizing the Incident Command System. An Active Shooter Event shall initially be under the command of law enforcement; most likely the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD). As SLCFD units arrive in staging or on scene, a Fire Command for the responding SLCFD and EMS units shall be established as well. Every effort shall be made to create a Unified Command with law enforcement at a common Command Post as soon as is practically possible. Based on the dynamics of the incident, SLCFD assets shall either work under a Unified Command organization or as an EMS, Rescue, or Fire Branch, Division, or Group. An integrated active shooter response utilizing law enforcement and SLCFD personnel shall include the critical actions contained within the THREAT acronym. THREAT stands for: T = Threat suppression (LE Contact Teams) H = Hemorrhage control (RTFs) RE = Rapid Extrication to safety (RTFs and Extraction Teams) A = Assessment by medical providers (RTFs and SLCFD Medical Group) T = Treatment and Transport to definitive care (RTFs and SLCFD Medical Group) In general, the overall response of the SLCFD to an Active Shooter Event should follow these basic steps: 1. All units initially respond to staging where the first arriving unit establishes Command and begins to make assignments. Unified Command is establish when possible. Subsequent arriving units begin to fill assignments as outlined. 2. Rescue Task Forces Engine assigned and Extraction Teams are formed from incoming units. 3. Rescue Task Forces and Extraction Teams join with LE Force Protection. 4. Rescue Task Forces enter the Warm Zone (“Green Light”) and immediately begin to assess, treat, and stabilize casualties as they encounter them. They may begin extraction as needed based on the situation. 5. Extraction Teams enter through Security Corridors when and where appropriate behind the RTFs and extract patients through designated exits to the Casualty Collection Point(s) as established by on-scene response and/or Unified Command. 6. SLCFD units establish Casualty Collection Point(s) and further triage, treat, transfer, and transport casualties to hospitals or landing zones. A. When the Dispatch Center receives a call for a violent incident that is dynamic/ongoing and involves the potential for multiple casualties (i.e. Active Assailant/Shooter – Dispatch Protocol 136), or if the first arriving unit on scene determines that an Active Shooter Events 04-17A Active Shooter Events (SOG), Page 5 of 13  is occurring, the following SLCFD resources shall be dispatched as an Active Shooter Event Assignment and shall respond 10-39: Battalion 1 and Battalion 2 Closest Engine (BLS or ALS with armor) Closest Truck 3 Medic Engines 4 Gold Cross Ambulances On-Duty Arson Investigators On-duty Tactical Medics B. The first arriving SLCFD unit on scene of an Active Shooter Event shall: 1. Confirm the nature of the incident (e.g. simple shooting or barricade vs. active shooter/MCI). 2. Respond to an initial staging area in close proximity to the incident but at a safe location. The decision to stage is based on pre-arrival information from the Dispatch Center and the direction of the on scene law enforcement officers (see SLCFD SOG 06-12). SLCFD units should not respond directly to the scene until instructed to do so by the Dispatch Center and/or the on scene law enforcement officers. 3. Upon arrival, provide a scene size-up to the Dispatch Center and other responding units. Consider designating a specific approach route for other responding units. 4. Establish initial Fire Command for SLCFD resources and amend the response as needed. 5. Designate a staging area for other responding units. Consider an area that is not in direct line of sight or in immediate proximity to the scene. This may be a predetermined area developed from preplanning for a specific event or location. Parking both at the beginning and throughout the event is critical to the response. Traffic corridors shall be established early providing for both access to the scene and egress. NOTE: If casualties are encountered immediately upon arrival, and the Warm Zone and Casualty Collection Point have not yet been established, an attempt to access and remove these obvious casualties in plain view should ONLY be made if there is no imminent or potential threat in that area AND it has already been secured by responding LE officers. First arriving SLCFD units may have to designate a temporary Triage Unit Leader who will have the responsibility of coordinating the immediate triage and movement of casualties to impromptu treatment areas. C. Upon establishing Command, the IC shall: 1. Assume command of the SLCFD resources. When possible, co-locate with the on scene, in-charge law enforcement agency IC and establish a Unified Command. Establish a Command Post if not otherwise established. 2. Designate a Rescue Group Supervisor, Rescue Task Forces, and Extraction Teams from responding SLCFD resources. (See Section G of this guideline.) All frontline apparatus, with the exception of Quint 6, have RTF kits and can be assigned as RTFs. HazMat 6 is equipped with RTF kits and can be assigned as RTF. 3. Secure Force Protection officers for the RTFs. 04-17A Active Shooter Events (SOG), Page 6 of 13  4. Work with the law enforcement IC to identify the Operational Zones, possibly by making use of a map or drawing, and ensure that SLCFD or other non-law enforcement personnel do not enter that area. 5. Identify Warm Zone entry/access locations, and clear travel/Security Corridor for Rescue Task Force deployment. There should be an LE officer assigned to each entry point to direct RTF’s and Extraction teams. 6. Once the boundaries of the Operational Zones have been established and Force Protection secured, conduct and continue a Dynamic Risk Assessment. 7. With Zones established and the risks mitigated/minimized, declare a “Green Light” for the Rescue Group to deploy RTFs into the Warm Zone. 8. Provide a quick briefing to the Rescue Group Supervisor and/or Rescue Task Forces and Extraction Teams. 9. Determine the location of the Casualty Collection Point and reroute responding EMS resources to that area. 10. Request additional resources for casualty treatment and transport, fire suppression, hazardous materials, and explosive hazards as needed. 11. Consider utilizing a Tac channel and/or common radio channel for communications. D. The second arriving SLCFD company officer should normally be assigned as the Rescue Group Supervisor (RGS). This may also be the first arriving company officer if a transfer of Command to the battalion chief has taken place. The Rescue Group is configured to extract viable casualties from the Warm Zone and/or Medical Rally Points and move them to the Casualty Collection Point. Based on the dynamics of the situation and the available personnel, the Rescue Group Supervisor may co-locate with the law enforcement Tactical Command Officer who is coordinating tactical operations and Force Protection or may serve as a Rescue Task Force member and coordinate rescue efforts from inside the Warm Zone. The Rescue Group Supervisor shall: 1. Assume command of the initial Rescue Task Forces and Extraction Teams (both deployed and in staging). 2. Create additional Rescue Task Forces and Extraction Teams as needed. Secure the necessary BPPE and Force Protection officers for them. 3. Designate a Rescue Task Force medical cache location in close proximity to the entry point, at the Rescue Task Force staging area, or at the Casualty Collection Point and ensure the stocking of that cache. 4. Consider the use and designation of Warm Zone Medical Rally Points based on the size of the incident, the number of casualties, geographic layout, and the transport distance to the Casualty Collection Point. 5. Serve as the primary point of communication between the Rescue Task Forces, Extraction Teams, the Medical Group Supervisor, and Command. Consider utilizing a Tac and/or common radio channel for RTF and Extraction Teams operations. 6. Only deploy RTFs and Extraction Teams after receiving the “Green Light” from Command. 7. Maintain accountability for all SLCFD personnel assigned to RTFs and Extraction Teams. E. Rescue Task Force Units. RTFs shall be designated based on the crew’s primary apparatus number (e.g. Medic Engine 2 = RTF 2, Medic Engine 5 = RTF 5, Medic Engine 11 = RTF 11, Engine 13 = RTF 13, etc.). While operating within the Warm Zone, RTFs shall: 04-17A Active Shooter Events (SOG), Page 7 of 13  1. Wear Ballistic Personal Protective Equipment. 2. Stay within the Force Protection envelope. 3. Designate an RTF Team Leader (typically the Company Officer) responsible for the team’s control, movement, communication, and accountability. 4. Utilize TECC principles and guidelines when assessing and treating casualties. 5. Only deploy after receiving the “Green Light” from the Rescue Group Supervisor. 6. Maintain situational awareness and be aware of “Red Light” areas and situations. 7. Keep the Rescue Group Supervisor informed of their position, conditions, actions, and needs. NOTE: Even though the SLCFD has designated specific engine companies as RTF units, any member of the SLCFD may be assigned to an RTF. Consequently, all SLCFD members shall be prepared to work as an RTF member. F. The first arriving SLCFD battalion chief shall assume Command of all SLCFD resources in staging and/or on operating scene. Based on the dynamics of the situation and the geographic area of involvement, it may be necessary for the responding operations battalion chiefs to link up with staged fire units to drop off the RTF BPPE kits before moving to the Command Post and assuming Command. G. The second arriving SLCFD battalion chief should normally be assigned Medical Group Supervisor/Branch Director. The Medical Group/Branch is configured to receive the casualties from the Rescue Task Forces and Extraction Teams, and manage the triage, treatment, transfer, and transportation of casualties from the Casualty Collection Point to the local hospitals. As the incident develops, if large numbers of casualties are encountered at multiple locations around the incident or when casualties are separated by a distance that makes it impractical to have a single Casualty Collection Point, a Medical Branch may need to be established. If this occurs, multiple Medical Groups and Casualty Collection Points at different geographic locations will need to be configured under one Medical Branch Director. The Medical Group Supervisor/Branch Director shall: 1. Request/secure Force Protection for the Casualty Collection Point as needed. 2. Before or as part of the initial triage, ensure that a body search for weapons is performed on all persons entering the Casualty Collection Point from the incident sight. 3. Implement the SLCFD Mass Casualty policy (SLCFD SOG 06-05A), as well as the District 2B Protocol (Mass Casualty Incident Plan) and the Triage and Treatment Protocol. 4. Assign Triage, Treatment, Transfer, and Transport officers. 5. Confirm that open travel routes exist for responding EMS vehicles to access the Casualty Collection Point and that the path away from the incident area is clear for ambulances when transporting to the hospital. 6. Establish landing zones, controllers, and radio channels for any aero-medical assets that are requested. 7. Direct the Dispatch Center to advise local hospitals to prepare to receive casualties of an active shooter MCI. 8. Ensure documentation for all casualties is complete. 04-17A Active Shooter Events (SOG), Page 8 of 13 H. SLCFD LEO Arson Investigators and on-duty Tactical Medics shall respond on the Fire Channel and check in with Command for assignment. They can act either as a medical provider or as a Force Protection officer but not as both. If Tactical Medics are on scene and are not engaged as SWAT team members, they should be assigned to the RTFs. I. If a legitimate threat of explosion or signs of an active fire exist, Command shall establish a Fire Group. The Fire Group is configured to suppress fires and coordinate any other SLCFD non-EMS operational needs of the incident. Additional groups (e.g. HRT, HazMat, etc.) may need to be created or developed as well, based upon the dynamics of the incident. The Fire Group Supervisor shall: 1. Determine the type and number of SLCFD resources needed and request that they respond to a designated safe staging area. 2. Request/secure Force Protection as needed. 3. Designate and operate on a separate radio channel from the rest of the event. 4. Confirm that open travel routes exist for responding fire apparatus and establish a safe staging area. 5. Communicate the boundaries of the incident’s Operational Zones to all companies and ensure that SLCFD personnel stay out of those areas that hold a threat of violence. 6. Only deploy fire suppression teams after receiving the “Green Light” from Command. 7. Under no circumstances should SLCFD personnel enter or move through the Hot Zone or “Red Light” areas to deploy ladders, hose lines, or other equipment. 8. Be aware that fire as a weapon has been used to deny LE into an active scene. 9. Consider allowing active fire to burn until the security and safety of fire suppression personnel can be confirmed by law enforcement. Note that a modified RTF may be needed to extinguish the fire. J. Rescue Group Operations. The Rescue Group Supervisor coordinates and oversees the activities of the RTFs and the Extraction Teams. Prior to executing any missions or deployments, it is highly recommended to have the RTF and Extraction Team personnel assemble at a staging area for a quick mission briefing and updated intelligence from the Rescue Group Supervisor but do not delay RTF deployment. RTFs and Extraction Teams shall only be deployed upon under “Green Light” conditions. The ideal RTF configuration of four LE Force Protection officers and four SLCFD medical providers shall be used whenever possible. However, limited resources and the dynamics of the situation may require a smaller or reconfigured RTF. As a minimum, an RTF shall have two SLCFD medical personnel and two armed Force Protection officers. Law enforcement personnel are there to provide security for the team and should not become involved in or asked to assist with medical care or casualty extrication. SLCFD medical personnel assigned to an RTF shall work within Force Protection security at all times. When possible, RTFs should incorporate at least one paramedic. The circumstances and available personnel will dictate the number, size, and configuration of the RTFs. Possible RTF configurations are illustrated below. 04-17A Active Shooter Events (SOG), Page 9 of 13 When RTFs are configured with three or more SLCFD personnel, one should be a Company Officer and shall serve as the RTF Team Leader (RTF TL). The RTF TL is responsible for communicating with the RTF’s Force Protection officers, helping coordinate the movement of the RTF, and maintaining overall accountability of SLCFD personnel within their RTF. The RTF TL shall relay information to Command or the Rescue Group Supervisor regarding the number of casualties, situation status, and pertinent information including the need for additional RTFs and Extraction Teams (e.g. multi-level structure, multiple theaters, large interior/exterior areas, etc.). All RTF, Extraction Team, and Force Protection communications shall be in plain language (e.g. Moving forward, Moving left/right, Moving back, etc.). In the unlikely event that shooter contact is made by the RTF, commands shall be: Contact front, Contact left/right, or Contact rear. During any hostile contact, RTF and Extraction Team medical personnel shall immediately assume a lower profile and/or move to cover if directed so Force Protection officers can engage the hostile threat, hold ground, or retreat to a safe area. Force Protection officers shall NEVER leave RTF or Extraction Team medical personnel behind. RTFs must be able to move and react quickly. RTFs may carry modified/lightweight configurations of medical equipment to provide increased mobility as well as enhanced hemorrhage control and quick airway management. Extraction Teams may carry rapidly deployable casualty movement adjuncts such as soft litter, SKEDS, rescue straps, tarps, backboards, etc. It is important to emphasize that if RTFs and Extraction Teams are being configured and deployed, lives may be at extreme risk. Discipline must be maintained and members must be prepared to move quickly and deliberately while maintaining a high level of alertness and situational awareness. As RTFs and Extraction Teams move through areas in search of casualties, it is advisable to maintain LCES (Lookout, Communications, Escape Routes, and a Safe Refuge). The Force Protection component of each RTF and Extraction Team shall have tactical control of the team at all times while operating within the Warm Zone. Movement, timing, and direction of the RTF is a collaborative effort between the officer in charge of the Force Protection element and the RTF TL When RTFs are operating within the Warm Zone, no detailed triage is conducted. The first RTFs will enter the area and treat casualties as they find them, moving from one to the next. If there are multiple casualties found in close proximity to each other (e.g. inside a single room), RTFs shall use three simple criteria to rapidly sort them visually and/or verbally: Still/Obvious Life Threat – Assess 1st Wave/Purposeful Movement – Assess 2nd Walking/Standing – No assessment; order the individuals to evacuate or shelter in place. 04-17A Active Shooter Events (SOG), Page 10 of 13 RTF treatment is limited to rapid, TECC-based lifesaving interventions only (e.g. tourniquets, rapid wound dressing/bleeding control, NPAs, recovery position, etc.) with the goal of stabilizing as many casualties as possible. Any person (injured or otherwise) who can walk without assistance will be instructed to place their hands on their head and either: Ordered to shelter in place, or; Be directed to self-evacuate down cleared Security Corridors under LE direction or; Be escorted to safe areas by the Extraction Teams. After assessing any casualty, RTFs shall apply one of two colors of tags/tape/zip-ties to either the casualty’s wrist or ankle. This is done for easy/quick identification to avoid repeated evaluations by additional RTFs and let the Extraction Teams know which casualties should be removed first. Orange Tag/Tape – Immediate. Viable casualties who cannot evacuate on their own and/or additional lifesaving interventions may need to be performed immediately to extend the casualty’s viability. These casualties are removal to the CCP ASAP. Black Tag/Tape – Expectant (dying) or Deceased. Casualties with respirations and/or injuries not compatible with life. These casualties are left in place. It should be noted that these marks/tags are not a medical triage tags: they are an extraction priority indicator only for non-ambulatory casualties. No mark/tag is needed for the walking wounded or walking with assistance. All casualties once reaching the CCP shall be triaged based on SLCFD SOG 06-05A and District 2B MCI medical protocols. RTFs treat as many casualties as possible until they run out of equipment or until all accessible casualties have been assessed and treated. RTFs should continue to restock, re- enter, and assist in the removal of casualties until all survivable casualties have been located, assessed, and treated. Additional RTFs should be sent into areas previously unreached by the initial RTFs as the Hot Zone is reduced and the Warm Zone expanded based on the LE Contact Teams’ efforts. Once all casualties have been located, assessed, and treated, RTFs should assist the Extraction Teams in the extraction/transfer of the viable (orange tagged) casualties to the CCP. Once a safe and secure corridor has been established and/or additional Force Protection Officers are available (“Green Light”), Extraction Teams should enter and start the removal of the casualties previously assessed and treated by the RTFs. Extraction Teams rarely become involved in patient care and focus primarily on rapid casualty transfer out of the Warm Zone to the CCP using any available movement adjuncts. Viable (orange tagged) casualties are located and moved first. Deceased casualties (black tagged) are left in place. Extraction Teams may also assist in directing and controlling the movement of the walking wounded. Extraction Teams and RTFs should continue to re-enter until all survivable casualties and non-injured persons have been removed to the CCP from the Warm Zone at which point, the Rescue Group Supervisor should declare a “Primary Search All Clear.” At this point, RTFs should re-renter and reevaluate the black-tagged casualties; possibly changing their status based the available medical resources on scene. All deceased bodies should be left in place for LE investigative purposes. 04-17A Active Shooter Events (SOG), Page 11 of 13  It is recommended that if time and the situation allow during the removal phase, Extraction Teams and RTFs mark the geographic location of the casualty prior to moving them. A corresponding mark should be placed on the casualty to assist in tracking, documentation, and post incident investigation. Once all viable casualties and non-injured civilians have been removed from all Operational Areas, the Rescue Group Supervisor should declare a “Secondary Search All Clear” for the entire Inner Perimeter. Unless otherwise directed by Command, all deceased bodies should still be left in place for LE investigative purposes. K. IED Recognition and Management. While the safe management and disarming of IEDs is primarily a law enforcement responsibility, all responders must be aware of their potential at an Active Shooter Event and be able to recognize a potential IED if they encounter one. Primary and secondary devices come in all different shapes, sizes, and configurations from obvious pipe bombs to backpacks and boxes to “suicide vests/belts” to vehicles. RTFs especially must be alert to their potential presence when moving within the Warm Zone. If an IED or potential IED is discovered by the RTF or others: 1. Immediately stop and verbally alert others around of the potential IED. 2. Rapidly determine the best course of action (i.e. retreat and isolate the area declaring a “Red Light” condition, mark and bypass the device, halt and shelter in place behind cover, etc.). If in doubt, retreat. 3. Restrict the use of wireless devices and radios in the immediate area. 4. Communicate with Command or the Rescue Group Supervisor from a safe location (consider using a “runner”) describing what was found, it’s location, and the team’s course of action. RTFs and SLCFD members shall not investigate or attempt in any way to disarm any IED or potential IED. That is a specific law enforcement function (i.e. SLCPD Hazardous Device Unit) and coordinated directly through Unified Command. L. Red Light Conditions. Due to the dynamic nature of Active Shooter Events, certain conditions, situations, or events may occur which could endanger SLCFD personnel beyond a reasonable risk. If any of the following occur during the deployment of SLCFD resources, a “Red Light” shall be declared and the appropriate actions based on the condition shall take place (e.g. retreat/evacuate, shelter in place, stop forward movement, etc.). 1. Discovery of an IED. 2. Active gunfire directed at SLCFD personnel or in close proximity. 3. Explosion or the sudden ignition of fire. 4. Significant injury to an SLCFD member or LE officer. Note that in this situation, immediate and aggressive rescue may be the best course of action. 5. Release or discovery of a hazardous material or CBRINE/WMD product. 6. Any other Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) condition. In addition to declaring a “Red Light”, Command may opt to activate an operational withdrawal or abandonment of the structure/area as per SLCFD SOG 04-33A. M. Other general SLCFD considerations: 04-17A Active Shooter Events (SOG), Page 12 of 13  1. Do NOT Self-Dispatch. Safety and accountability issues are only some of the problems caused by this. If not formally requested by the Dispatch Center, SLCFD apparatus and personnel shall not respond to the scene. 2. Use extreme caution when approaching the scene and minimize personnel exposed to unnecessary risk throughout the operation. 3. Consider turning off emergency lights and warning devices before arrival. Many frightened citizens may be fleeing the event and are likely to act in an unsafe manner. 4. If bystanders become hostile, extricate yourself and advise Command. 5. For larger geographic incidents or incidents with travel barriers, consider the use of multiple staging areas and Casualty Collection Points. 6. Work as teams or in pairs as a minimum. Never go anywhere alone. 7. When deploying SLCFD personnel on special assignments, if possible assign a team spotter. Their role is to observe, identify, and avoid threats while the balance of the team executes their tactical assignment. 8. Consider the possibility of secondary devices designed to injure responders. If this is a real possibility, designate a second level of staging for the balance of responding resources until they are needed and can be advanced in safely. 9. While the saving of life is the primary role of SLCFD responders, all personnel on scene should remain cognizant of the need for crime scene preservation. Do not touch or move items unnecessarily or in other ways alter the scene. Report any suspicious activity or persons to LE immediately. 10. Any and all clothing or items transported with the casualties should be kept and collected at the hospital using best practices in preserving any items of evidentiary value. The hospital(s) must be informed of the importance of keeping clothing and/or items that are or could be of use for LE investigative purposes. 11. Keys shall be left in all response vehicles as the need to shift or move vehicles is critical, should the need arise. N. Tactical Law Enforcement Incidents and Active Shooter Events can take many hours to completely resolve. Although the scene may appear to be static, until the suspect(s) is in custody and all potential threats neutralized, these incidents present the potential to turn deadly without notice. It is essential that SLCFD personnel remain alert to their surroundings and situations at all times and closely monitor all developments. 04-17A Active Shooter Events (SOG), Page 13 of 13