Broward County Sheriff's Policy Manual PDF

SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 19.2 CRITICAL INCIDENT RESPONSE 19.2.1 Purpose: To establish the system and management structure that shall be executed by all agency personnel when conducting on-site operations in response to all critical, unusual, joint, or multi-ju...

SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 19.2 CRITICAL INCIDENT RESPONSE 19.2.1 Purpose: To establish the system and management structure that shall be executed by all agency personnel when conducting on-site operations in response to all critical, unusual, joint, or multi-jurisdictional incidents. This management system shall be known as the Incident Command System (ICS). ICS shall be used in conjunction with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as part of the National Response Plan. 19.2.2 Scope: This General Order shall apply to all Broward Sheriff’s Office members. 19.2.3 Policy: It shall be the policy of the Broward Sheriff’s Office to execute the ICS during agency responses to all critical incidents/unusual incidents/weapons of mass destruction within the geographical boundaries of Broward County. The ICS shall be implemented for small-scale daily operational activities, as well as all critical incidents/unusual incidents, in conjunction with the agency’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP). 19.2.4 Definitions: A. HOT ZONE: The area where a direct and immediate threat exists. The emphasis in this zone is on threat suppression, preventing further casualties, extracting casualties from the high threat area, and implementing control of life-threatening extremity hemorrhage. B. WARM ZONE: The area where a potential threat exists, but there is no direct or immediate threat. Warm Zone Care includes the other life-saving interventions, casualty collection points, and Rescue Task Forces are typically employed. C. COLD ZONE: The area where no significant threat is reasonably anticipated and additional medical/transport resources may be staged. D. CASULTY COLLECTION POINT: An area used to assemble, triage, stabilize and evacuate casualties. Casualty collection points and Rescue Task Forces are typically employed within the Warm Zone. E. C.A.N. REPORT: The C.A.N report stands for Conditions, Actions, & Needs. By using this order model, the person giving the report easily identifies what conditions they are facing, how well efforts or tactics are doing and any support or resource needs that they have. F. COMMAND POST: A secured centralized base of operation established near the site of an incident at which primary command functions are executed. Reviewed: NEW Issued: 10/14/19 Rescinds: N/A Effective: 10/24/2019 19.2 Page 1 of 10  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL G. CONTACT TEAM: A group of law enforcement officers who assemble and proceed directly to the sounds of violence with the goal of making contact with the perpetrator(s). H. CRITICAL INCIDENT: Any natural or man-made disaster, act of terror, weapons of mass destruction, civil disturbance, or any occurrence of unusual or severe nature which threatens to cause or causes the loss of life or injury to citizens and/or severe damage to property and requires extraordinary measures to protect lives, meet human needs, and achieve recovery. I. INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM (ICS): A management tool designed to control field emergency response operations by establishing functional areas under the direction of an Incident Commander. It is the combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating within a common organizational structure with responsibility for the management of assigned resources to effectively accomplish stated objectives pertaining to an incident. J. INCIDENT COMMANDER (IC): The individual responsible for incident activities, including the development and implementation of strategic decisions for approving the ordering and release of resources. K. NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (NIMS): This system provides a consistent nationwide approach for federal, state, local, and tribal governments to work effectively and efficiently together to prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size or complexity. L. NATIONAL RESPONSE PLAN: Integrates federal government domestic prevention, preparedness, response and recovery plans into a single, all- disciplines, all-hazards plan. M. NATURAL DISASTER: Any event causing great bodily harm, death, or property damage. These events include floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, explosions, and fires. N. PLAIN TALK: The use of common language in lieu of 10-codes. O. SPECIAL ORDER: A directive affecting only a special segment(s) of the organization or a statement of policy or procedure regarding a specific circumstance or event that is temporary in nature. P. STAGING AREA: The location designated by the IC where responding personnel and equipment shall report for deployment. Reviewed: NEW Issued: 10/14/19 Rescinds: N/A Effective: 10/24/2019 19.2 Page 2 of 10  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL Q. SPAN OF CONTROL: The area of activity and number of functions, people, or things for which an individual or organization is responsible. R. UNIFIED COMMAND: An authority structure in which the role of incident commander is shared by two or more individuals, each already having authority in a different responding agency. Unified command is one way to carry out command in which responding agencies and/or jurisdictions with responsibility for the incident control incident management. 19.2.5 Procedure: A. Activation Requirements of the ICS: 1. The ICS shall be implemented and executed during all agency responses to all critical incidents/unusual incidents/weapons of mass destruction. 2. The ICS operational protocols and procedures shall be utilized during any agency response situation which requires the command and control of more than four law enforcement officers, two or more regional assets are utilized (e.g., K-9, Aviation, SWAT, QRF, Marine Patrol, etc.) or any situation which an on scene supervisor deems implementation of the ICS appropriate. 3. The Incident Commander (IC), regardless of rank, shall have complete authority and responsibility for conducting the field operations during an incident. 4. The mere presence of a ranking senior officer at the scene of an incident shall not indicate their assumption of command. Such ranking senior officer shall remain in an advisory or evaluating capacity unless they specifically assume command or are assigned a specific functional task by the IC. 19.2.6 Incident Commander: A. The first on-scene deputy sheriff assumes the role and responsibility of the IC until properly relieved. 1. The first arriving deputy shall change their radio designation to “COMMAND.” 2. The first arriving deputy (IC) shall determine the level of mobilization and begin the process of establishing an Incident Command System structure for the situation. The transfer of command occurs if a higher ranking supervisor arrives on scene and they deem it necessary to assume command of the incident. This transfer of command will be declared via dispatch radio communications. The Reviewed: NEW Issued: 10/14/19 Rescinds: N/A Effective: 10/24/2019 19.2 Page 3 of 10  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL new IC will only then change their radio designator to “COMMAND” and the previous IC will return to their previous radio designator. 3. Transfer of command cannot occur unless the supervisor assuming role of IC is physically on scene. 19.2.7 Radio Procedure A. A minimum of three radio channels shall be designated for all incidents requiring the Incident Command System. 1. Operations Channel 2. Tactical Channel 3. Staging Channel B. The use of 10-codes shall be suspended and clear talk utilized. C. Situation reports over the radio shall be given utilizing the “C.A.N Report” method 1. C – Conditions, A - Actions, N – Needs D. The “Tactical Alert Protocol” shall be communicated to dispatch as soon as the need is identified. The IC will determine if the Tactical Alert is for a DLE region or a countywide Tactical Alert. E. All responding units that are assigned to respond to the staging area shall communicate all radio traffic on the assigned staging channel to keep the Tactical and Operations channels clear. 19.2.8 Duties of the First On-Scene Deputy Sheriff A. Critical tasks of the first arriving Deputy: 1. Engage any threat present 2. Assume the role of Incident Commander and change radio designator to “COMMAND” 3. Identify danger areas B. Perform an initial assessment of the incident. Reviewed: NEW Issued: 10/14/19 Rescinds: N/A Effective: 10/24/2019 19.2 Page 4 of 10  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 1. Complete a CAN Report (Conditions, Actions, and Needs) 19.2.9 Critical Incident Management shall be as follows: A. Assess the Situation: Conduct an assessment of the situation by determining the following questions: 1. Nature of incident? 2. Location of incident? 3. Number of suspects/victims/witnesses? 4. Type of weapons? 5. Type of chemical/hazardous material? 6. The “Hot Zone” and its boundaries shall be communicated to dispatch and all responding units as soon as identified. 19.2.10 Establish Inner Perimeter - Control and Contain A. No unauthorized personnel shall have access to the inner perimeter. 1. When plainclothes personnel are used on the inner perimeter, they shall be replaced with uniform personnel as soon as possible. 2. Plainclothes personnel will utilize clear law enforcement identification markers on their person and they are prohibited from wearing any facial obstructions. (e.g., balaclava, mask, etc.) 3. Ensure perimeter personnel take proper cover and concealment and limit the movement of inner perimeter personnel. 19.2.11 Duties of the additional DLE Arrival A. Communicate with COMMAND (first arriving deputy) B. Form CONTACT TEAMS C. Start PATIENT TREATMENT and EXTRACTION, if safe to do so. Reviewed: NEW Issued: 10/14/19 Rescinds: N/A Effective: 10/24/2019 19.2 Page 5 of 10  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL D. Establish Casualty Collection Points (CCP) and DLE / CCP manager 19.2.12 Duties of the First On-Scene Supervisor: The first on-scene supervisor shall accomplish the following six (6) critical tasks: A. Obtain Briefing 1. Obtain a “C.A.N Report” from the IC. B. Properly assume command of the incident if deemed appropriate and announce to the dispatcher that they are assuming the position of the Incident Commander (IC). C. The IC will change his or her radio designation to “Command”. D. Establish an Incident Command Post (ICP) and communicate its exact location to dispatch. 1. The IC will remain at the ICP until relived. 2. Establish a Staging Area location and assign a Staging Area Manager. a. Staging Area Manager is typically the first arriving deputy to the staging location. E. Start accountability of the deputies currently on scene and where they are. 1. Assign an Incident Scribe as soon as feasible related to available staffing. F. Review and ensure that the first on-scene deputy sheriff’s three critical tasks have been accomplished: 1. Engage Threat 2. Establish IC 3. Identify Danger Areas 19.2.13 Radio Communications A. Ensure three or more channels have been obtained for the incident as needed. B. Ensure all three radio channels are assigned a dispatcher. Reviewed: NEW Issued: 10/14/19 Rescinds: N/A Effective: 10/24/2019 19.2 Page 6 of 10  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL C. Ensure that a “Tactical Alert Protocol” has been requested, if applicable. D. Ensure all personnel are made aware of the following locations: 1. Incident Command Post (ICP) 2. Hot, Warm, and Cold Zones 3. Staging Area 19.2.14 Establish Perimeter(s) A. Ensure the effectiveness of the Inner Perimeter B. Establish Outer Perimeter. This perimeter is used to limit and control access into the emergency incident area. C. Identify and secure safe routes of travel for emergency vehicles both to and from the scene. D. Maintain clear lanes of ingress and egress for support vehicles (e.g., SWAT / Fire Rescue) E. Prevent and control access to inner perimeter by non-essential personnel. 19.2.15 Establish ICP: A secured ICP shall be established between the inner and outer perimeter. Depending on the type of incident, it is preferred the ICP not be in sight of the scene. A. For a short-term incident a patrol vehicle may be utilized as the ICP. B. For a long-term incident a fixed location such as a building or a Mobile Command Vehicle (MCV) shall be utilized as the ICP. C. A unified ICP shall be established with representatives of internal and external agencies who have authority over responding units, such as Fire Rescue or other involved jurisdictions. D. An ICP for a long term incident shall have, when possible, the following available: 1. Telephones (hardline or cellular) 2. Utilities (hardline or generator) Reviewed: NEW Issued: 10/14/19 Rescinds: N/A Effective: 10/24/2019 19.2 Page 7 of 10  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 3. Privacy 4. Space 5. Protection from hazards and/or weather 6. Restrooms (fixed or portable) 19.2.16 Establish a Primary and Alternate Staging Area: The staging area is used to control the deployment of personnel, equipment and/or material. A. Establish the staging area outside the inner perimeter. It is preferred the staging area not be within sight of the scene and is of adequate size for the anticipated number of resources responding. B. Assign a supervisor (if feasible, sergeant or higher) to respond to the staging area and assume the duties of the Staging Area Manager. 1. The transfer of Staging Area Supervision will be communicated to dispatch. 2. The Staging Manager typically starts as the first arriving unit to the designated location and ultimately the position should be held by a supervisor. 3. Advise dispatch to have all unassigned units report to the staging area to include any mutual aid agencies and communicate only on the assigned staging channel. 19.2.17 Establish a Media Staging Area A. The media staging area location shall be in the cold zone and away from any incident command facilities. These staging areas must be of adequate size to accommodate the estimated number of members and their media equipment. B. Once the location is selected and approved by the IC, the Public Information Officer (PIO), and dispatch will be notified of the location. C. The media staging area shall not be within view of the inner perimeter or command post. 19.2.18 Duties of the Division or Group Supervisor A. In order to maintain the proper “Span of Control” during the incident the IC shall divide the roles and responsibilities by using Division or Group Supervisor (Div/Grp Sup). B. Areas that require the utilization of Division Supervisors are but not limited to the following: Reviewed: NEW Issued: 10/14/19 Rescinds: N/A Effective: 10/24/2019 19.2 Page 8 of 10  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 1. Individual floors of a multi-story building (e.g., First Floor Division, Sector Response Plan Division, etc.). 2. Specific geographic areas of a large area or large building. C. Areas that require the utilization of Group Supervisors include but are not limited to the following: 1. Perimeter Group Supervisor 2. Casualty Collection Point Supervisor 3. Extraction Group Supervisor D. When expanding the scene using the ICS it is important to realize Divisions are a geographic designation and Groups are related to tasks that are being performed. 19.2.19 Span-of-Control A. Safety factors, as well as sound management planning, shall both influence and dictate span of-control. In general, within the ICS, the span-of-control of anyone with emergency management responsibility shall range from three to seven individuals. B. There may always be exceptions (i.e., an individual unit officer with responsibility for traffic control could have substantially more than five personnel). 19.2.20 Additional Considerations A. To assist Fire Rescue with their response, The following information shall be obtained: 1. Number of patients 2. Extraction location 3. Casualty Collection Point (CCP) 4. Appropriate locations for staging 19.2.21 Duties of the Incident Scribe(s) A. The Incident Scribe reports directly to the IC. Reviewed: NEW Issued: 10/14/19 Rescinds: N/A Effective: 10/24/2019 19.2 Page 9 of 10  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL B. The Incident Scribe shall record detailed information as received from all sources with reference to time, message, and action taken. C. Assist the IC with unit tracking and accountability. D. The Incident Scribe shall gather incident-related information from other sections for entry into the Command Post Log E. The Incident Scribe shall ensure all messages are appropriately routed. 19.2.22 Incident Command System - Unified Command: A. The Unified Command System is a procedure used at incidents which allows all agencies with geographical, legal, or functional responsibility to establish a common set of incident objectives and strategies, and a single Incident Action Plan. B. The Unified Command System is highly flexible. As the incident changes over time, with different disciplines moving into primary roles, the Unified Command structure and personnel assignments can change to meet the need. C. Creation of the Unified Command Post shall be mandatory when DLE and Fire Rescue are operating jointly, or the incident has the potential to require such integration. 19.2.23 Primary Features of Incident Command System - Unified Command A. A single integrated incident organization. B. Co-located (shared) facilities. C. A single planning process and incident action plan. D. Shared planning, logistical, and finance/administration operations. E. Coordinated process for resource ordering. F. The use of a Unified Command is a valuable tool to help ensure a coordinated multi- agency response. Unified Command procedures assure agencies that they do not lose their individual responsibility, authority, or accountability. Reviewed: NEW Issued: 10/14/19 Rescinds: N/A Effective: 10/24/2019 19.2 Page 10 of 10