Broward Sheriff's Office Active Shooter Procedures PDF

BROWARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES 4.37 ACTIVE SHOOTER 4.37.1 Definitions: A. Active Shooter: One or more subjects who participate in a random or systematic shooting...

BROWARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES 4.37 ACTIVE SHOOTER 4.37.1 Definitions: A. Active Shooter: One or more subjects who participate in a random or systematic shooting spree and who demonstrates the intent to continuously inflict death or great bodily harm onto others. This includes anyone who uses a firearm or other type of deadly weapon (i.e. knife, explosives) B. Real Time Intelligence: Deputy(s) personal and sensory observations that provide awareness of an ongoing active shooter situation. Sources could include radio communications, witnesses, sights, and sounds. C. Deputy Contact Element: A singular deputy or a team of deputies who while on scene have “Real Time Intelligence” and enter the area/structure of the active shooter with the goal of stopping the threat. D. Extraction Element: A singular deputy or a team of deputies with the ability to enter the area/structure and either remove victims to a casualty collection point (CCP) or provide first aid in place. The purpose of the Extraction Element is to provide first aid in the area/structure or move victims to a casualty collection point prior to the arrival of fire rescue paramedics. E. Rescue Task Force: A team consisting of deputies and fire rescue paramedics with the ability to enter the area/structure. The purpose of the Rescue Task Force (RTF) is to provide advanced emergency first aid to victims of an active shooter event as quickly as possible in the area/structure. F. Hot zone: The current location of the subject in the area/structure G. Warm zone: Where the subject was previously in the area/structure H. Cold zone: A location away from the area/structure. The cold zone may include staging areas, the CCP, and Incident Command Post (ICP). 4.37.2 Response/Responsibilities: A. Deputies responding to active threat(s) incidents shall attempt to protect the life of innocent persons through immediate tactical intervention to eliminate the threat. In such scenarios, the prioritization of activities in order of importance will be: 1. Stop the active assailant(s); Reviewed: 12/18/2018 Revised: 12/21/2018 Rescinds: 05/30/2018 Effective: 01/04/2019 4.37 Page 1 of 4  BROWARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES 2. Rescue the victims; 3. Provide medical assistance; 4. Arrest suspects and preserve the crime scene. Note: While deputies are expected to tactically intervene, there may be very limited extenuating circumstances when entry by a solo deputy must be delayed until the situation changes, or additional deputies or resources are present. B. Upon recognizing an active shooter situation the deputy on scene will immediately notify Communications. C. The Deputy Contact Element with Real Time Intelligence will continue with a proactive tactical intervention until one of these objectives has been met: 1. The subject/s has been forced into a surrender 2. The subject/s has been forced into a barricade 3. The subject/s hostilities have been stopped 4. The Deputy Contact Element is relieved by SWAT personnel D. When there is no longer evidence of ongoing killing, deputies will begin Extraction Team Protocols with the ultimate goal of a Rescue Task Force. 1. Extraction Team Responsibilities: (Consists of LE members only) a. Locate victims; b. Provide appropriate first aid/combat casualty care; c. Remove victims to a casualty collection point (CCP); d. Area of operations for the Extraction Team may include hot, warm, and cold zones. 2. Rescue Task Force Responsibilities: (Consists of LE and FR members) a. Locate victims; Reviewed: 12/18/2018 Revised: 12/21/2018 Rescinds: 05/30/2018 Effective: 01/04/2019 4.37 Page 2 of 4  BROWARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES b. Provide advanced emergency first aid/victim triage and management; c. The RTF may remove a victim from the area/structure or request an extraction team; d. Area of operations for the RTF may include the warm zone and cold zones. E. If the situation turns to a barricade or hostage situation the Contact Element will contain, isolate, communicate and wait for SWAT. F. Patrol Sergeant/Supervisor’s Responsibilities: 1. Ensure that the prioritization of response activities as outlined in Section A are initiated; 2. Respond to the scene; 3. Summon and direct additional resources. G. Incident Commander (IC) Responsibilities: 1. Declare him/herself as Incident Commander; 2. Establish a Unified Command Post and identify its location; 3. Ensure Staging Areas are established; 4. Ensure that inner and outer perimeters are established; 5. Direct deputies and responding officers to a dispatch tactical channel(s) when possible and if it is a viable option that will not affect the safety of anyone involved in the incident; 6. Ensure proper notifications are made; 7. If necessary, establish a staging area for Aviation/Medical Evacuation and assign personnel to ensure proper ingress and egress; 8. Establish an evacuation/holding area for all removed persons; 9. Establish a PIO/Media staging area. Reviewed: 12/18/2018 Revised: 12/21/2018 Rescinds: 05/30/2018 Effective: 01/04/2019 4.37 Page 3 of 4  BROWARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES 4.37.3 Debriefing: The Undersheriff will ensure a debriefing takes place and will ensure a critical-incident review is completed. 4.37.4 Training: All sworn personnel, up to the rank of Colonel, will attend the Active Shooter/Rescue Task Force training course that is provided by the Training Division. Reviewed: 12/18/2018 Revised: 12/21/2018 Rescinds: 05/30/2018 Effective: 01/04/2019 4.37 Page 4 of 4