Firefighters Support Foundation Post Blast Response MultiAgency Public

Firefighters Support Foundation Post Blast Response -------Multi-Agency Public Safety Post Blast Response to Terrorist and Criminal Explosives Incidents v 1. 0 v 1 1

Permission is granted to reproduce or distribute this material so long as the Firefighters Support Foundation is credited as the source v 1 2

About FSF The Firefighters Support Foundation is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization whose primary mission is to develop, produce and distribute training programs to firefighters, EMTs, Search & Rescue personnel, and Emergency Management professionals. All of our programs are distributed free of charge. v 1 3

Accompanying Video This Power. Point presentation accompanies the video presentation of the same title. v 1 4

Presenter August Vernon Forsyth County, NC Office of Emergency Management v 1 5

Introduction • A rapid, safe and successful response to these chaotic situations requires planning and preparation. • The likelihood of a terrorist or criminal explosives incident is low, BUT public safety officials must prepare for these situations. • Recent incidents and threats within the United States and overseas have demonstrated the need to prepare local, regional, state, federal and military agencies to plan for and respond to these events. v 1 6

Program Goal To prepare first responders, emergency management, military and other officials with some basic tools and information needed to develop or assess a post-blast response plan. v 1 7

Course Note • The guidelines and procedures discussed in the presentation should not replace common sense and experience. • It is impossible to plan for every situation. • New “best practices”, lessons learned, intelligence and training become available on an on-going basis. These planning and training efforts should be updated on a regular basis. v 1 8

Remember! Please remember that this information should ONLY be used as an educational guide and you should ALWAYS use your local training, guidelines, and procedures! v 1 9

Threats • It appears that the “bad guys” (criminal elements and terrorists) are more determined, violent and heavily armed than ever before. • Crisis situations such as terrorist events, criminal attacks and explosive threats are occurring with alarming frequency. • No two incidents are the same. Factors ranging from the bombers motive, their explosive materials, knowledge of the location, number of victims and public safety resources in the area can all influence the outcome of an incident. v 1 10

Threats (2) • A large majority of terrorist attacks around the globe utilize explosives. • Explosive devices can consist of anything from home made explosives (HME) to sophisticated military ordinance. • Responders will typically encounter home made explosives (HME) and improvised explosive devices (IED). v 1 11

Threats (3) The FBI and DHS have sent several warnings to state and local partners since 2001 to be on the alert for improvised explosive devices. v 1 12

Emerging Threats: Mexico Narco-Insurgency VBIEDs v 1 13

Times Square VBIED Threat May 1, 2010 • Dispatched as vehicle fire. • Situational awareness/on scene indicators. v 1 14

Post Blast Response Considerations • Post-blast (or post-detonation) response takes place immediately after an explosion has occurred. • An explosives event has the potential to overwhelm first responders due to the large number of victims, fatalities, fires and property destruction. v 1 15

Post Blast Response Considerations (2) The purpose of the presentation is to provide some easy to follow procedures and guidelines for Responders and Incident Commanders. v 1 16

Dispatch and Initial Response • When responding get all the dispatch information available. Nature of the call and location are very important. • Standard guidelines against the use of radios and cell phones may NOT be applicable. There will be an overriding need for a rapid, coordinated response. If possible do not use radios within 150 feet of the blast site and use other resources such as runners in the “hot zone”. v 1 17

Arrival on Scene • Proceed with extreme caution for your own safety. • Approach from upwind and uphill if possible. • Slow down when approaching the area and conduct a 360 -degree scan during your scene-size up or “windshield survey”. v 1 18

ARRIVAL ON SCENE (2) • Use Staging Area to limit number of responders don't stack up responders and resources in one location. Consider multiple secured staging areas. • Law enforcement should immediately disperse any crowds and establish an outer security perimeter retaining witnesses. v 1 19

ARRIVAL ON SCENE (3) • Rapidly implement the Incident Command System (ICS) and necessary components (Unified Command, Safety Officer, etc. ) • Avoid entering blast impact area (Hot Zone) unless it is necessary to save lives when possible. v 1 20

Responder Safety • Reminder that responders can be targeted! • Maintain Situational Awareness. • Check immediate area for secondary devices and threats. • Check command post (CP), staging and triage areas for secondary devices. • All responders should wear appropriate level of PPE (personal protective equipment). v 1 21

Secondary Devices • If an explosive device has detonated, there is a high likelihood that there could be a secondary device. • Secondary devices are bombs placed at the scene of an ongoing emergency response that are intended to cause death and injury among responders. v 1 22

Post-Blast Response Operations • Establish hazard Control Zones around the incident (Hot, Warm, and Cold). Blast site is the “hot zone”. • Always have an escape route open to leave the scene quickly if needed when possible. v 1 23

Zones of Control The response to a Post Blast Scene is similar to a hazardous materials response. Use your “zones of control” • Hot Zone – Where the blast took place and damage/injury will occur. • Warm Zone – Where the large perimeter area will be established and area cleared. • Cold Zone – Location of a unified command post, staff, resources, triage and staging. v 1 24

Post-Blast Response Operations (2) • Trained bomb technicians and explosive canines should search for secondary explosive devices during the response if available and after the response when possible. • Appropriate agencies – Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement, Bomb Squads, Emergency Management, and hospitals -should be notified as soon as possible if there is a report of an explosives incident or possible explosives incident. v 1 25

Post-Blast Response Operations (3) • An explosives incident has the potential for large number of victims with very traumatic injuries. • Will need to rapidly coordinate with Law Enforcement to prioritize force protection resources around areas of critical operations and the scene. • Searching beyond the immediate blast scene for victims unable to call for help. This may be especially needed in a dense urban environments, where persons injured in upper stories of building or injured/affected (directly by the attack or others suffering a health condition). v 1 26

Post-Blast Response Operations (4) • Some seriously injured victims may have no visible wounds and some victims may be beyond help. • Quickly remove victims from the area and render aid in a secure location. Triage must be conducted outside the blast/hazard area when possible. The use of SKEDS, litters or backboards is recommended. v 1 27

Post-Blast Response Operations (5) • EMS may need to implement disaster procedures such as tactical medics, triage tags, casualty collection points (CCP) and field treatment areas for minor injuries. • Implement local mass-casualty/mass-fatality procedures as soon as possible. • Triage will be conducted at least twice, once at the blast scene and again at the hospital. • Biohazard issues will need to be addressed, as these scenes can have multiple traumatic injuries and fatalities in one small location. Field decontamination can be an option. v 1 28

Post-Blast Response Operations (6) • Expect numerous types of injuries from traumatic injuries, blast pressure, internal injuries, crush injuries, burns and shrapnel. • Responders must immediately monitor for other hazards such as chemical agents, gases or radioactive materials. • Identifying and prevention of secondary injuries due to falling pieces of broken windows and other debris from upper stories. • Utilize PPE. v 1 29

Fire Operations • If vehicle or structural fires are involved, firefighters should rapidly knock down the fire while preserving evidence, when possible. Life safety is imperative. • The IC must decide whether fire operations should be offensive or defensive in nature. v 1 30

Fire Operations (2) • Responder should attempt to approach fires from upwind if possible as even small explosions can generate a significant amount of smoke and/or dust. • Firefighters should wear complete TOG (turn out gear) and SCBA. v 1 31

Response Issues • Consider the need for other specialized assets such as Urban Search and Rescue, Hazardous Materials Teams, Tactical Teams, Incident Management Teams, etc. • Consider secondary hazards such as electrical lines, gas lines, disrupted water mains, etc. v 1 32

Response Issues (2) • Family and friends may converge on the scene so consider a Family Assistance Center (FAC) due to the impact of this event on a community. • After disconnecting utilities, lighting of the scene is necessary in order to enhance the evacuation of casualties and post-incident investigation by law enforcement. • Law enforcement will need to respond to hospitals as evidence can be recovered from victims living and dead. v 1 33

Response Issues (3) • Fire Depts should not conduct overhaul and clean up operations until coordinated by the investigative authorities. • Make immediate notifications of local, state and federal resources. • Plan on an extensive, multi-day crime scene investigation. v 1 34

Response Issues (4) • Immediate interagency cooperation/Unified Command is essential. • Clear communications (personal and radio) are necessary for effective operations. • Access to helicopters for overhead assessments is a plus when possible. v 1 35

CRIME SCENE CONSIDERATIONS • Establish as large a crime scene perimeter as possible as rule of thumb for the perimeter is to extend the perimeter 50% from the farthest piece of evidence located. • Ensure that responders preserve possible evidence for subsequent criminal and forensic investigations. v 1 36

CRIME SCENE CONSIDERATIONS (2) • Plan on an intensive media response and appoint Public Information Officers (PIO) as soon as possible. • Crime scene may be limited to a small area such as a residence or single business or can extend for several blocks. v 1 37

Form IMS 201 (Electronic or Written) -Scene Map/Sketch -Situation Summary -Current/Planned Objectives -Current/Planned Actions, Strategies & Tactics -Current Org Chart -Resources Summary v 1 38

Unified Command Fire & Rescue Incident Commander Public Information Officer (PIO) (EMS Spokesperson) Law Enforcement Incident Commander EMS Incident Commander Safety Officer (Fire & EMS) PIO Assistant Officer (Law Enforcement) Liaison Officer (Emergency Management) PIO Assistant Officer (Fire & Rescue Service) Agency Representatives (Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS, Hospitals, etc. ) Speaking With One Voice! v 1 39

Scene Assistance • Local Emergency Operations Center (EOC) should be activated as soon as possible for long term response, recovery, management, investigative and local, state and federal support efforts. • Joint Information Center (JIC) should be established involving all key agencies and players to manage the local and national media efforts. v 1 40

Scene Assistance (2) • Family Assistance Centers (FAC) may need to be established near the site and other remote locations. • Helpline phone numbers should be initiated. • CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) efforts should be considered for all responders. v 1 41

Suicide Bomber Threats • If a suicide bombing incident occurs and the suspect is neutralized BUT there is no explosion, DO NOT render aid to the suspect. The suspect may only be injured and a handler or associate could still detonate the device. Bomb squad personnel or a robot should be the first to approach a bomber or suspected bomber. • Be aware of the possibility of secondary devices and attacks. This type of event has targeted responders. v 1 42

Suicide Bomber Failures Even if a bomb itself fails to detonate, the initiator (possibly a blasting cap or caps) may still detonate. You will still hear a very loud BANG. The potential bomber will be severely injured and probably moving around on the ground and/or calling for help. He/she is still a very real danger! They may have a secondary means to detonate, and should still be considered an imminent threat: v 1 Treat accordingly Handler may also still detonate them. 43

Sources of Info/Training • www. emrtc. nmt. edu DHS Live explosive training for first responders. • www. tripwire-dhs. net DHS Office of Bomb Prevention (OBP) Tech Resources for Incident Prevention. v 1 44

Pre-Incident Planning • Preparation is the key to a terrorism incident and that includes a clear idea of your actions before the incident occurs. • The first step in your preparation is a review of your agencies guidelines and procedures when responding to an actual incident or threat situation. • As with any multi-hazard assessment and planning process it is a great idea to do a multi-agency exercise (tabletop or functional) to bring all the key agencies together and rehearse the plan once it has been completed. v 1 45

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Thank you and be safe! v 1 47