St. Johns County Sheriff's Active Assailant/Threat Guidelines PDF

ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ROBERT A. HARDWICK, SHERIFF Active Assailant / Threat Guidelines Effective Date: 07/16/1999 Policy 46.10 Amended Date: 05/08/2023 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS CALEA: 46.1.10, 46.1.11 CFA: FCAC: FLA-TAC: FMJS: Discussion: There are situations which require immediate deplo...

ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ROBERT A. HARDWICK, SHERIFF Active Assailant / Threat Guidelines Effective Date: 07/16/1999 Policy 46.10 Amended Date: 05/08/2023 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS CALEA: 46.1.10, 46.1.11 CFA: FCAC: FLA-TAC: FMJS: Discussion: There are situations which require immediate deployment and rapid intervention of law enforcement prior to the arrival of tactical teams. During these active assailant / threat situations, law enforcement’s primary responsibility is to stop and contain the threat, prevent the escape of armed / dangerous person(s), and preserve life. [46.1.10] DEFINITIONS Agency – Refers to St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office ICS – Incident Command System GENERAL.1 This primary entry procedure is designed to guide personnel responding to a report of an active assailant / threat incident in progress. The objective is to minimize loss of life and contain the situation as quickly as possible..2 This policy should be used in conjunction with the Emergency Tactical Deployment (ETD) Manual, including the following sections:  ETD 3: Incident Command Post Checklist  ETD 4: Hostage / Barricade Incident Checklist  ETD 7: Active Assailant / Active Threat Checklist Active Assailant / Threat Guidelines 46.10 Page 1 of 4 FIRST LAW ENFORCEMENT ON SCENE / OBJECTIVES [46.1.10, c].3 When notified of an active assailant / threat incident, the first responding law enforcement deputy shall make the decision on how to intervene to stop the threat..4 The first Law Enforcement Deputy on the scene shall:  Establish an active assailant / threat incident is in progress; entry may be necessary to confirm  Identify primary entry points  Maintain primary radio frequency to be used by entry personnel. Have non-entry personnel switch to a secondary frequency.  Ensure Communications notifies emergency medical service (EMS) and other public safety agencies to respond to designated staging areas. [46.1.10, b]  Whenever possible immediately deploy as a team of two (2) as primary entry personnel; however, be prepared to deploy as a single unit with the mission to locate, engage and stop active shooter(s) / threat(s). [46.1.10, d]  Consideration should be given to the use of multiple entry points  Subsequent arriving deputies will deploy in teams of two (2) or more  Provide command and control of primary entry personnel. Deploy only the number of primary entry personnel who are essential to the mission  When all communications systems fail employ the use of runners SITUATION-ENTRY OBJECTIVES [46.1.10, c, d].5 The first deputy(ies) on the scene shall enter the building for the purpose of locating and confronting the threat(s) / suspect(s). Primary Objectives.6 The primary entry deputy(ies) must:  Be prepared to engage the suspect(s) in armed combat  Establish an Interior Command  Provide intelligence about the scene, movement of active shooter(s) / threat(s) and need for additional primary entry personnel. [46.1.10, b] (1) If not in uniform, the deputy shall wear body armor which identifies them as law enforcement personnel, and notify Communications of their clothing description. [46.1.11]  Assess locations of ingress / egress points for Fire / Rescue personnel  Identify a location and establish an interior Casualty Collection Point(s) (CCP) Active Assailant / Threat Guidelines 46.10 Page 2 of 4 Secondary Objectives.7 The secondary objectives are to establish Command with outside and inside communications to support the overall mission.  Establish exterior Command  Identify and communication with Interior Command  Establish face to face link with assisting agencies  Identify the need of additional resources  Stage and manage additional resources, to include receiving area for future evacuees  On a secondary radio channel, coordinate needs for scene security, Rescue Task Force (RTF), and systematic evacuation efforts Tertiary Objectives.8 Once the immediate needs for deployment of personnel are met and communications have been established for needed resources, the Incident Command System shall be utilized. UNIFIED COMMAND.9 Command vehicles should be co-located to facilitate command post operations. Face-toface communication should be established between the agency and St. Johns County Fire Rescue (SJCFR); Unified Command (UC) will be recognized. In addition, the UC should monitor all radio channels and establish common communications whenever feasible..10 The UC will continue the development of the on-going incident action plan. This plan should be formed based on Law Enforcement and Fire / Rescue strategies and tactics to maintain scene safety, neutralize the threat(s), and provide expedient treatment and transport of the injured. CASUALTY COLLECTION POINT (CCP).11 The CCP is a forward location where victims can be assembled for movement from areas of risk to the treatment area. It is a temporary location to stage and triage patients until a formal treatment area is created. Ideally, the location should provide concealment of vehicular ingress and egress..12 The initial CCP will be determined by the agency after considering accessibility, responder protection, work space, and proximity to rapid evacuation routes..13 An interior CCP may need to be established within the structure to assess the wounded for immediate lifesaving treatment..14 A CCP will typically be in the warm zone in close proximity to the injured persons. Once ordered through the UC, law enforcement will accompany and protect fire fighters in the warm zone for patient extraction. Law Enforcement will provide continuous security measures to protect personnel and patients at the CCP..15 Fatalities should be left in place until crime scene procedures are complete..16 Should mass casualties occur, activate ESF-6 for mass casualty. Active Assailant / Threat Guidelines 46.10 Page 3 of 4 RESCUE TASK FORCE (RTF).17 A RTF is a group of responding LEO and SJCFR personnel who enter the warm zone to affect a rescue of the injured. The RTF will provide immediate care, triage, and evacuation decisions. A RTF will only be deployed, with approval from UC, when there is potential to save lives. RTF is comprised of four (4) appropriately equipped / trained paramedics escorted by LEO..18 A law enforcement team leader will control the movement and retreat of the RTF while in the warm zone. SJCFR personnel will work with the LEO team leader to affect a coordinated and well communicated team movement process. EVACUATION OF VICTIMS.19 Once the scene is secure, teams of deputies and special teams shall be utilized to search for non-wounded persons either trapped or who are unable to remove themselves from the premises. Once these people are located, and when safely possible, team members should escort them from the building, to a designated area, providing armed protection. [46.1.10, d] TREATMENT / TRANSPORT AREA.20 The Treatment / Transport Area will be located in a safe location remote to incident activities and typically located in a cold zone adjacent to the CCP. Patient tracking will be instituted to ensure accountability for all patients. The Treatment / Transport Area will be controlled by SJCFR personnel.  Law enforcement will provide personnel for security and patient clearing purposes when a remote treatment area is established  Deputies may need to interview patients prior to transportation from the scene. SJCFR personnel will attempt to accommodate these requests to the extent possible based on the patient’s condition  The Incident Commander will identify an additional area for victims who are being detained PUBLIC NOTIFICATION [46.1.10, a].21 When an active assailant / threat incident is identified, a Supervisor may request the use of the mass notification system to alert citizens of the event, closed roads, and reunification points. ANNUAL REVIEW AND TRAINING NEEDS [46.1.10, e].22 The Operations Division Director or designee shall ensure a documented annual review of this policy and training needs are conducted. ____________________ Robert A. Hardwick Sheriff Active Assailant / Threat Guidelines 46.10 Page 4 of 4