SLCFD Complex Coordinated Attacks SOG - PDF

Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) TLEI – Complex Coordinated Attacks Effective Date: 01/01/2017 Procedure Number 04-17C Revised Date: Number of Pages...

Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) TLEI – Complex Coordinated Attacks Effective Date: 01/01/2017 Procedure Number 04-17C Revised Date: Number of Pages 4 1. Overview This guideline is intended to better prepare Salt Lake City Fire Department (SLCFD) personnel for response to a coordinated terrorist attack within the City. The threat of domestic and international terrorism in the United States is at the highest level in history. The U.S. Department of State defines terrorism as, "premeditated politically-motivated violence perpetrated against non-combatant targets by sub-national groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience". These acts are dangerous to human life and/or potentially destructive of critical infrastructure or key resources. Examples may include multiple active shooters at the same or different locations, attacks involving Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) or fire, high-powered weapons, or an intentionally planned hostage siege where the armed subjects have used deadly force or are preparing to use deadly force on other persons as a part of an on-going dynamic incident. While Law Enforcement (LE) holds the primary response to these intentionally indiscriminate violent (terror) events within Salt Lake City, the care of any casualties and incident stabilization is a shared responsibility between the SLCFD and law enforcement. The response to a coordinated terrorist attack is a continuum that requires close coordination between LE officers and SLCFD responders at all levels. Optimal outcomes depend on clear communication between all agencies before and during the event. 2. Definitions Area Command: An organization established to oversee the management of multiple incidents that are each being handled by a separate Incident Command System organization or to oversee the management of a very large or evolving incident that has multiple Incident Management Teams engaged. Complex Coordinated Attack (CCA): A synchronized hostile attack/killing of or threatening to kill multiple unrelated individuals conducted by two or more semi-independent teams of attackers at multiple locations simultaneously or in close succession, and employing one or more of the following: firearms, explosives, and/or fire as a weapon. CCAs are an act of terrorism and can overwhelm the local jurisdiction and initiate a regional/statewide response. See MACTAC Event. Emergency Operations Center (EOC): The physical location at which the coordination of information and resources to support incident management (on-scene operations) activities normally takes place. 04-17C Complex Coordinated Attacks (SOG), Page 1 of 4  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. Joint Information Center (JIC): A facility established to coordinate all incident-related public information activities. It is the central point of contact for all news media. Public information officials from all participating agencies should co-locate at the JIC. Multi-Assault, Counter Terrorism Action Capabilities (MACTAC): MACTAC is an expansion of Immediate Action Rapid Deployment (IARD) tactics. MACTAC concepts provide officers options based on tactical knowledge, skills and abilities to respond to such an event. MACTAC Event: An extraordinary incident involving extreme violence that exceeds conventional law enforcement tactics and resources and requires immediate police intervention. These are CCA events involving multiple deadly force incidents occurring simultaneously or concurrently; a terrorist attack involving explosives (IED), high‐powered weapons; or a hostage siege where the armed persons have used deadly physical force or are preparing to use deadly force on other persons, and it is an ongoing dynamic incident. “MACTAC Event in progress” is the alerting terminology/declaration given by Dispatch or others during these incidents. Terrorism: The calculated use of violence or the threat of violence to create fear intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious or ideological. 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 Complex Coordinated Attacks (CCAs) require close coordination with law enforcement at all levels utilizing the Incident Command System. CCAs 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. A. During a CCA, the initial dispatch information and the subsequent SLCFD response may be that of any other individual Tactical Law Enforcement Incident (e.g. Active shooter, hostage taking, bomb threat, etc.). It may not be immediately understood that a CCA spread out over a larger geographic area and/or consisting of multiple violent events is occurring until more information is received through the Dispatch Center or gathered on scene by first responders. Consequently, in the early stages of a CCA, there may be multiple independent 04-17C Complex Coordinated Attacks (SOG), Page 2 of 4  Incident Commands and Command Post established throughout the city prior to the creation of a Unified or Area Command. B. When dispatched to any Tactical Law Enforcement Incident, all SLCFD personnel shall respond and follow the appropriate SLCFD SOG for the given event they are dispatched and assigned to (e.g. Active Shooter Event SOG), realizing that multiple events may be occurring simultaneously throughout the city resulting in multiple Incident Command Posts and CCPs. C. If SLCFD resources have reason to believe that a CCA is underway upon arrival or at any other time during operations, Command shall immediately communicate that information to the Dispatch Center and to the personnel operating on scene. D. When a CCA is declared by Incident Commanders or if Dispatch determines that a CCA has or is occurring, the following actions should be taken: 1. A “MACTAC Event in progress” should be declared through Dispatch. This may include an announcement made over the air and/or phone calls to all stations and Support Divisions. 2. Working Incident Notifications made to include the appropriate state and federal resources. 3. The appropriate mutual and automatic aid notifications made. 4. A Unified or Area Command established as soon as possible. An Area Command is activated only if necessary depending on the complexity of the incident and incident management span-of-control considerations. 5. The Emergency Operations Center and Joint Information Center be activated as per SOP. 6. Consider additional security at all Working Incidents, Command Posts, and incident scenes where SLCFD resources are currently working. 7. Secure all fire stations and SLCFD support facilities, locking doors and closing bay doors. Use extreme caution and discretion in allowing civilians to take refuge inside of SLC facilities. Consider a body search prior to entry. 8. Based on the type and extend of the CCA, prepare for Branch Operations (SLCFD SOG 04-34A). 9. Based on the scope, size, timing, and continuing dynamics of the situation, SLCFD Administration and/or operations battalion chiefs may opt to initiate automatic holdovers for all or specific operations personnel and request that Dispatch limit responses for non-emergent calls (e.g. public assist, animal rescues, etc.). E. Other general SLCFD considerations: 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. 4. If bystanders become hostile, extricate yourself and advise Dispatch and/or Command. 5. For larger geographic incidents or incidents with travel barriers, consider the use of multiple staging areas and Casualty Collection Points. 04-17C Complex Coordinated Attacks (SOG), Page 3 of 4  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 IEDs or other secondary devices. 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. SLCFD members are not to investigate or attempt in any way to disarm any IED or potential IED. 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. F. Tactical Law Enforcement Incidents and Complex Coordinated Attacks 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. 04-17C Complex Coordinated Attacks (SOG), Page 4 of 4