2. Hostile MCI Response Policy
Southern Nevada Fire Operations (SNFO)
Hostile MCI Response Policy

3. SNFO Hostile MCI Policy
In 2011 the Clark County Fire Department was like most first response agencies across the U.S. when it came to responding to an active shooter situation.
We were unprepared:
No plan.
No multi-agency, multi-discipline training or policies.

4. SNFO Hostile MCI Policy
As these events continued to become more common across the country there was a growing sense of urgency within not only our organization but all of our local first response agencies.
No one knew:
When will it happen here?
How will we respond?
How should we prepare?

5. SNFO Hostile MCI Policy
Fortunately a few key things had taken place in recent years that helped us bridge some of the gaps we were facing.
The most notable gap was the FDs interactions with local law enforcement (LE).

6. SNFO Hostile MCI Policy
First piece: Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center (SNCTC) Fusion Center.
One of two Fusion Centers in Nevada.
CCFD staffs a Fire Captain in the Fusion Center (modified duty) to act as a liaison between LE at all levels.
We had our foot in the door in regards to improving relationships with LE.

7. SNFO Hostile MCI Policy
Second piece: Southern Nevada Fire Operations
Working group that has its roots all the way back to 2002 when some captains from the local FD heavy rescue teams banned together in an effort to improve relationships between teams and increase the response capabilities available to the community.

8. SNFO Hostile MCI Policy
Since then those captains have moved up in their respective organizations and in doing so brought those relationships and successes with them.
The end result is SNFO.
Projects accomplished:
RIT Operations, common SOPs, high-rise firefighting plan, tactical work sheets, valley wide multi-agency training and coordination.

9. SNFO Hostile MCI Policy
Given the success of the SNFO group the decision was made to use that same format to address an Active Shooter Policy.

10. MACTAC – quick note
Multiple Assault Counter Terrorism Action Capabilities.
LE’s plan for engaging assailants who are actively killing in multiple locations.
Very good plan.
They are very well trained and prepared.
Been around for several years
However, no FD/EMS involvement.
They assumed we would just follow them into a building to fight a fire or deal with patients during one an event like this.

11. SNFO Hostile MCI Policy
In late 2011 the SNFO Active Shooter committee was formed.
Now referred to as the SNFO Hostile MCI Committee.
For the first time a SNFO working group had participation from: LE
Health District
Military
Several other specialty personnel

12. SNFO Hostile MCI Policy
The SNFO Active Shooter Committee worked diligently over the course of three years to arrive at our final policy.
Hurdles encountered:
No current template to refer to.
Communications.
Unified Command with LE.
Firefighter resistance.
Developing and holding hands-on training.

13. Clearing the Hurdles No current template to refer to.
When reaching out we found that most everyone else was in the same place we were….
Conceptual plans began to come together.
Shared and received experiences from other departments across the country that were working on the same problem.
Those conceptual plans morphed constantly because of trial and error.

14. Clearing the Hurdles Communications: Common radio frequencies:
Existed but LE did not have the fleet maps.
Cant even talk to each other.
LE IC trying to talk to everyone:
Quickly became overwhelmed.
Terminologies:
ICS terms:
LE had never used Div/Grp/Branch etc.
Other terms:
Later slide

15. Clearing the Hurdles Unified Command with LE: Training side by side.
Tactical worksheets.
Showing the benefits of accountability.
Communications (our radios).
Discipline for teams (stay together no matter what).

16. Clearing the Hurdles Firefighter resistance
Like any other thing we do.
Risk a lot to save a lot.
Provide safety given the use of SOPs, training and coordination.
Hands on drills with LE partners.
Ballistic PPE.

17. Clearing the Hurdles
Developing and testing ideas via hands-on training.
Multiple venues used.
Several concepts failed.
Crews were very disappointed in what we were doing.
Eventually some common positive experiences were found and leaders from both FD & LE were gelling.
The rough edges were smoothed out and a policy came to life.

18. Tactical Worksheet
The following slide is an example of a ICS worksheet to be used in the class.
Like any ICS worksheet it is not set in stone, only an example of what might develop.
Filling of all the Command Staff positions would not be an initial priority.

19. Law Enforcement / Fire Department
Unified Command
Law Enforcement / Fire Department
Fire Medical
Liaison
Public Information
Safety
Staging
LE (SGT / LT)
Assault Branch
LE (SGT / LT)
Perimeter Branch
LE / FD (BC)
Force Protection Branch
LE / FD (BC)
Transfer Branch
FD (BC/CO)
Medical Branch
FD (BC)
Fire Branch
Team 1
Team 1
Team 1
Triage
Team 2
Finally, if there is fire involvement and a Fire Branch is needed, they will become their own branch, with standard deployments. This will only occur with the approval of the BC, knowing that the scene is relatively secure. We will not fight fire within a hostile area. Chiefs and Captains will have to apply the Risk Management Plan.
Burning buildings are dangerous enough. We don’t need to add a Hostile Element to further endanger our crews in low visibility and IDLH atmospheres.
Team 2
Team 2
Treatment
SWAT
Transport
ARMOR

20. Final Training Push
During the Spring of 2014 the final draft of the policy was out and training with our local LE partners was beginning.
CCFD was to begin our training on June 11th.
Other departments were just wrapping up their training.
However June 8th changed everything.

21. Murder of two Metro Police Officers
On this Sunday afternoon two suspects intent on killing police officers succeeded.
Ambush in a pizza parlor.
Wal-Mart shooting.
Our policy was tested.
Even before we had officially rolled it out.
Force Protection 1 was deployed and removed the female suspect who was still alive.

22. Moving on as a community
To date training has been completed for all the SNV Fire Departments:
CCFD, LVFR, HFD, NLVFD, BCFD, MFD and Bullhead AZ FD.
Approximately 1800 FD personnel across 8,000 square miles.
LE agencies involved in the process:
LVMPD, NLVFD, NHP, HPD, BCPD, Tribal PD, FBI, UNLV, Nellis AFB and CCSD.

23. Terms Assault Teams. Force Protection. Hostile MCI Kits.
Sift and Sort.
Transfer Teams.
Clean/Dirty area.

24. Assault Teams 1st priority is to neutralize the threat
The 1st arriving units from LE will form up an Assault Team to quickly enter the building and neutralize the threat! Command mode for us FD types would be “FAST ATTACK”
Assault Teams should be in operation prior to FD arrival, and definitely before Force Protection Teams are formed. The BC would be getting this information from PD. With that information, together they can decide where our entry will take place and establish our Warm Zone boundaries.
-The 1st arriving officers will form the Assault Team. Could range from 2 – 5 LE Officers.
-The goal is to neutralize the threat. This may include a gun battle to chasing the threat and getting the individual(s) to barricade into a room.
(Bring the finish line to the assailant)
-In the FD command world if the 1st arriving Officer establishes command – This would be considered “Fast Attack”. The assessment is that immediate actions must be taken to stabilize the incident.

25. Force Protection
Teams provide care while in the “Warm Zone”, where threat is at a minimum, but not totally ruled out. LE will be providing for your security with a minimum of two officers.
Force Proection – is the team used when a “Warm Zone” with victims has been identified and there is a need to get FD units deployed into the area to begin to Sort who is a victim and who is not! This will be coordinated through Command. At least 3 FD (or an ALS engine) making entry will be protected by a minimum of 2 officers under armed care.
This FP Team will be responsible for determining and tagging which victims can be removed from the building and which victims are deceased. (This is NOT formal Triage) The Company Officer in charge of this team should handle all communication with Command. This should include Entry Location into the building, PAR and CAN reports. NOTE – the entry point used will be the same entry point that the Assault Team used.
Only minimum treatment will be provided at this time. Team can perform: Basic airway maneuvers, Needle Decompression, Chest Seal Placement, and Hemorrhage Control with tourniquets and pressure dressings.

26. Force Protection Make-up
Only after Unified Command has been established will a Force Protection Team be assembled.
Make up will be the following
Minimum of 2 LE personnel (Force Protection element)
Minimum of 3 FD personnel (one being a CO, and one being a Paramedic)
FP Teams Shall take a minimum of 2 Hostile MCI Kits into the Warm Zone.
FD CO responsible for communications with command.
Command will provide a briefing prior to entry and cover:
Team Leader and Call Sign
Who they are reporting to
Radio Channel
Entry Point
Any other special considerations
The reason that 3 FD (preferably an engine company) will be assigned to the Force Protection Team is to have a Company Officer that can make decisions from the interior, and work with the LE providing the Force Protection while moving about through the building. The goal of this team is to get into a building that has minimal threat, find live victims and tag them for immediate removal to a casualty collection point (CCP). All while being protected by a LE presence.
It is a MUST that the Force Protection Team make entry through the same door as the Assault Teams!
The FD Company Officer is responsible for the following
-CAN & PAR Reports. Upon entering the building (Personnel in the Structure. __LE & __FD) and updating Command frequently on their progress
-Upon making entry, the company officer should yell out and say “to those that can hear my voice and can get up and move, get up and
get out of the building now” Force Pro Teams should direct civilians who can move of the direction and exit point to use.
-The confirmation of victims
-The approximately number of Transfer Teams needed.
-Assessing the location of alternative Casualty Collection Points once inside the structure
If a threat would reappear, the LE team leader on the FP Team will take control of the team and will advise the FD personnel of what immediate action to take for their protection.
Command / MACTAC Branch / FP Branch making the assignment and who CO communicates with on radio.

27. Hostile MCI Medical Kits
The equipment list was developed by FD personnel and Trauma Doctors from the Special Operations Medical Associations.
Crews entering as part of a Force Protection Team will carry Hostile MCI kits with:
Chest seals
3 ¼” 14G catheters for chest decompression
Tourniquets
NPAs
Basic bandage supplies
Tags:
Orange
Black
All responding emergency units from the area fire departments will be carrying this kit. FP Teams should take a minimum of two kits into the Warm Zone for use while Sorting victims.
If you run across a patient during your normal day that could benefit from using any of the equipment in there, please feel free to use it.
Each agency will be responsible for restocking any of the used supplies.

28. Sift and Sort
Term used to describe the actions of the Force Protection Teams
Sifting & Sorting is not triage.
Formal Triage will be performed in an exterior medical area.
Categories of patients:
Walking Wounded (no tag)
Litter (marked with an Orange tag)
Expectant (marked with Black tag)
As Force Pro Teams move in and find victims, a quick determination must be made about life status. If alive – tag the victim with the ORANGE tag which is an indication to the transfer teams of who is going to be removed.
If the person has no signs of life or has mortal injuries – the Force Pro Team will tag the victim BLACK. BLACK Tags remain right there and will not be removed from the building.
If the Force Pro Teams find victims alive, minimal treatment will be provided at that time. Apply Tourniquets for uncontrolled hemorrhage, apply chest seals for open chest wounds, needle decompression for tension pneumothorax, simple airway positioning with BLS adjuncts.

29. Transfer Teams
At the same time Force Protection Teams are formed, Command should assemble a Transfer Team(s) to move victims to a CCP or to the exterior medical area for Triage, Treatment, & Transport.
Teams consist of any combination of FD and LE personnel.
Due to the dynamic environment and number of Force Protection Teams in the Warm Zone, Transfer Teams consisting of FD personnel may not need a LE protection detail.
Goal – To rapidly remove all “Orange” tagged victims to the CCP or exterior Medical area.
This will be the most manpower intensive operation and should be supplemented with adequate number of resources to complete the task.
Transfer Teams should be assembled early on. These teams will enter the Warm Zone that the Force Protection Teams have gone through and remove the victims that have been tagged for removal. These teams will rapidly move victims from the area to an established CCP. Victims may have to be moved several hundred feet to a CCP and then moved again to a formal Medical area, with Triage, Treatment and Transport. Because if this, it may be necessary to establish relay operation to remove the victims to/from the CCP. (e.g.: Relay such as in High Rise / stair well support)
10 soft litters will be carried in each BC unit. They are designed to throw a victim onto them and used as a 2-person drag to the CCP. Only in very rare instances should a victim actually be carried.
Due to the dynamic environment and number of Force Protection Teams in the warm zone, Transfer Teams consisting of FD personnel may not need a LE protection detail. However, LE can be used to assist in movement of victims if resources are available.
The FD Company Officer will be in charge of the Transfer Team and oversee the removal of victims with his/her team.
Also, once the FP teams are complete with Sorting, they may use the soft litter contained within the Hostile MCI medical kit to assist Transfer Teams with movement of injured persons.
Note – this process should be done as quickly as possible. Soft litters are available to place the victim on and drag to the CCP. Any means will do as long as it is quick. This is not the time for formal packaging of a victim.

30. Clean / Dirty Funnel DIRTY ----------------------------- CLEAN
Personal Belongings Drop
Personal Belongings Drop
Force Protection Transfer Team
Transition Area
DIRTY
Formal weapons sweep by LE personnel
This funnel will be difficult at best when people are trying to escape danger, especially when exiting from a building. It is imperative that no weapons make it to the Medical area, as this need to be a SAFE place for our crews to work!
Law Enforcement personnel should be present at this site to conduct the patient searches. If Fire Department personnel are establishing this area, make sure a request is made for officers to assist in this area.
Whenever the patient is moved to Medical, they will come through this transitional Dirty / Clean area for a more thorough check. Beware of your surroundings – backpacks lying around, cell phones, any other item that may be considered suspicious. If you have a concern – Notify a LE Officer.
If FD locates a weapon while sweeping or treating a patient, call LE to your area to have it secured.
Uninjured persons should be directed to a refuge area for questioning. If victims are exiting and running away from the scene – DO NOT CHASE them, let them go.
CLEAN
Refuge Area
Medical Branch
Uninjured Collected for Law Enforcement
Triage Treatment and Transport

31. Hostile MCI Response Policy
Southern Nevada Fire Operations (SNFO)
Hostile MCI Response Policy
Questions?