Critical Incident First Responder Responsibilities Tactics Critical Incident

Critical Incident First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

Critical Incident First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics Never Forget Your Safety Comes First

Critical Incident First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics Definitions

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics n Crisis Situation: n Any incident in which a person present on the scene has threatened to cause immediate harm to himself or others. This usually involves barricading or refusal to leave a location and / or hostage taking. n Hostage Situation: n A crisis situation in which a person is held against their will to force fulfillment of demands.

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics n. Hostage Situation: n A crisis situation in which a person is held against their will to force fulfillment of demands. n Usually Involves: n Threat to harm a person if demands are not met.

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics n. Hostage Situation continued: n Usually Involves: § Primary Goal § Having demands met § Gaining some type of advantage

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics n. Defensive Threat: n Usually employed in nonhostage situations n Threats are primarily to prevent police action n “If you come in here I’ll hurt Joe!

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics n. First Responders Duties: n Contain the threat. n Isolate threat. n Engage the person in conversation

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics n Containment and Isolation accomplish: n Prevents the spread of the threat. n Prevents the escape of the subject n Prevents unauthorized persons to enter the crisis site. n Applies pressure on the subject by isolating him from the outside world.

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics n Containing the subject to one specific location accomplishes: Seals off the location or house from outside influence n Disables or removes any means of escape for the person n

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics n. Quick Assessment: n What type of situation exists? n Have hostages been taken? n What type of weapons are involved?

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics n. Request Additional resources: n Supervisor n Back up officers. n Ambulance n Fire apparatus. n SWAT n CNT

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics n Evacuation considerations: n Persons in close proximity of the crisis incident n Close off streets or neighborhoods if necessary n Vehicular & pedestrian traffic should be controlled. n Establish an outer perimeter a safe distance from the site.

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics n. Working through the crisis: n Most dangerous time: § First few minutes of crisis. § Last few minutes during surrender. § Subject is usually very unstable and irrational

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics n Most dangerous time continued: § Innocent police activity may be viewed as threatening. § Negotiating may NOT be an option due to person’s condition § Use caution in attempting to contact the person.

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics n. Recommended Techniques: n Circumstances may require the first responder to establish contact with the subject § He may call you § Hostage may call you § 3 rd party contact (prior)

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics n Using Non-threatening non- judgmental language will: Promote Rational Thinking n Allow for arrival of additional resources n Can aid in intelligence gathering n

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics Negotiations Protocol n Introduce yourself by name n Exclude rank n Identify the agency you work for n Advise subject you are there to help n Show concern for the subject n Ask if he/she is O. K. n Reassure him no one will come in / rush him

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics Negotiations Protocol n If hostages have been taken: n Don’t call them hostages n Talk of them as people n Ask about their condition n Ask their names n Calling them by name will make the subject think of them as people not objects

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics Negotiations Protocol n Ask the subject what happened? n Let the subject talk n When he / she talks, they vent anger and frustration n You gain intelligence

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics n Be a good listener and reassure the subject n Speak in a calm voice at all times n Do not get into a shouting match n Do not debate with the subject n Avoid setting deadlines n Talk through any he sets n Contact him prior to deadline or time of action & talk past it

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics n Statements that are vague or indicate finality: n Could mean he / she is thinking about suicide n It is O. K. to ask him / her if he / she is thinking about suicide

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics Opening Exchange: n “Hello my name is…. . And I work for the Racine Police Department. I’m here to help you. ” n “What is your name or what name can I call you? ” n ”Are you O. K. ” n Are the people in there with you, O. K. ”

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics Allow the subject to talk: n “Can you tell me what happened? ” n. A lot of incidents are emotionally driven n Try to identify which emotion he subject is feeling

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics Anger n Frustration n Fear n Sadness n Depression n

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics After the subject tells his story: n Encourage further conversation by labeling the emotion: n “Jim, it sounds like you are very angry about …. n The subject will either confirm or correct you

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics Tips for Safe First Responder Interaction: n Your safety comes first n Do not negotiate face to face with potentially armed subjects n Never exchange yourself for anyone else n Do not allow non-police personnel to negotiate

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics n Plan Surrenders carefully n This may mean the subject is planning an action that will force a suicide by Cop

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics As a first responder you can: n Gather intelligence for SWAT & CNT # of subjects n Type of weapons n # of hostages n

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics As a first responder you can: n Gather intelligence continued: Location of hostages n Evaluate subjects state of mind n

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics As a first responder you can: n Stall for time: n Time saves lives (Usually) n Allows SWAT / CNT to get into place n Has calming effect on everyone n Don’t agree to anything (need boss' approval) n Create Diversions n Keep subject talking n Keep subject in problem solving mode

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics You can provide Real Time Intelligence to SWAT /CNT n Where is the subject NOW? n Where are the hostages NOW? n His / Her state of mind NOW?

Critical Incident First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics Don’t Forget our goal is to SAVE LIVES

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First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics The Critical Incident First Responder Talk Tactics Guide is available from IAHN. Go to The negotiator store at www. hostagenegotiation. com