Hostage Incidents Training PDF

Unit 3 Types of Emergencies Lesson 4 Hostage Incidents Lesson Goal You will be able to respond to a hostage incident. Think About This An officer hears a lot of commotion and goes to check it out. They see two inmates fighting and they immediately try to stop the fight. Once they open the cell...

Unit 3 Types of Emergencies Lesson 4 Hostage Incidents Lesson Goal You will be able to respond to a hostage incident. Think About This An officer hears a lot of commotion and goes to check it out. They see two inmates fighting and they immediately try to stop the fight. Once they open the cell, the inmates hold the officer hos- tage. What should the officer do? Hostages ✅ CO834.1. Understand how a hostage situation occurs A hostage situation can occur with or without warning when one or more persons are held against their will by another person or group with the purpose of achieving a specific goal. Any person can be held hostage, including inmates, civilians, officers, visitors, and staff. Keep in mind that when you respond to an incident or a riot, you may be taken hostage. Equipment ✅ CO834.2. Know the equipment needed when responding to a hostage situation Equipment available for use during a hostage incident may vary according to each agency’s resources. It can include restraints, chemical agents, lethal and non-lethal impact weapons, emergency keys, and monitoring equipment such as video records, closed- circuit televisions, or cameras. Build- ing blueprints and floor plans could be required. You will use communication devices, such as radios, megaphones, or cell phones. Equipment and technical assistance may vary among agencies and departments and will be based upon the conditions encountered and decisions made during the incident. Standard Procedures The goal in any hostage situation is to resolve the conflict without injury or loss of life. In a hostage situation, response varies depending on agency resources, policies, and procedures. Steps taken during a hostage crisis change according to circumstances, status, and severity. Different teams may be involved, such as tactical and negotiation teams. Chapter 8 Responding to Incidents and Emergencies / 267 ✅ CO834.3. Know how to follow standard procedures to respond to a hostage situation Standard hostage situation procedures include: notifying a supervisor immediately, following the chain of command containing the subject(s) in the smallest area possible restricting the movement of the subject(s), if possible, and always keeping safety in mind gathering information, such as taking pictures or recording the situation moving non-participants as far from the hostage situation as possible—inmates may be locked down providing assistance and support to specialized teams as needed When initially responding to a hostage incident, contain the situation to prevent more hostages from being taken. Be careful not to agitate the hostage taker; instead, build rapport and actively listen. Gather as much information as possible, including the location, the names and number of hostages, the names and number of hostage takers, injuries, weapons involved, and demands of the hostage takers. A staff member being held hostage is not viewed as having rank or authority in the incident. If you are taken hostage, recognize that you have no authority to make any decisions. Do not interfere with discussions being conducted between response teams and the hostage taker. Do not try to be a hero. ✅ CO834.4. Know how to follow standard procedures if you are taken hostage Follow these procedures if you are taken hostage: cooperate with, but do not enable, the hostage taker recognize that staff will respond as soon as possible avoid using insults, trigger or hot words (words that may empower the hostage taker) such as prisoner, guns, or police avoid being confrontational by keeping a low profile if possible, avoid giving up your uniform keep your face down or avoid eye contact remain calm, rest when possible, and try to eat only food provided by the negotiating team cooperate fully with any response team member 268 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1