Updated 01/97
"EMERGENCY ACTION DRILL" FOR
MILITARY/EMERGENCY RESPONDERS
IN THE EVENT OF:
* Unexplained gunfire in your vicinity
* Nearby Explosions
* Visual sightings of unknown persons with weapons
* Reported (and unknown)explosions prior to your arrival
The emergency responder's priorities should include:
A. IF Gunfire or explosions are occurring upon your arrival; Seek Cover and ascertain the nature of the threat! If possible,
move immediately to safety. If openly exposed to the hazard, drop to the prone position and cover your head and eyes
with your arms. Crawl (not run) to protective cover at the earliest opportunity. DO NOT leave the emergency vehicle
unless it is necessary and the scene appears secure. Know the difference between cover and concealment.
B. Radio for immediate assistance from police/military/EOD/SWAT authorities. Give a safe nearby location as a staging
area for them to respond too. Advise responding units of the perceived nature of the threat. If you are under direct
attack...advise (by radio) exact location and situation. Unless your agency has pre-planned a procedure for "violence
circumstances", don't worry about radio "codes" or other media affairs issues...the threat far exceeds the need for radio
security at this juncture. DO NOT establish the staging area nearby to a bombed building.
C. Survey the immediate area for victims of the violence. Make visual and physical observations as permitted by the
tactical circumstances. Begin to establish a "forward" triage area and C3I center (Command, Control, Communications,
Intelligence). All rescuers should remain in this secured area until a primary perimeter has been achieved by local
police/military/EOD units. As soon as tactical circumstances permit, it is recommended that a search for additional
explosive devices be conducted by experienced personnel, in a circular pattern, emulating from the original blast to the
exterior perimeter of the incident.
D. Even early command decisions must be made collectively by the highest ranking member of each agency at the scene.
It is strongly suggested that communications links be formed at the earliest opportunity. It can be anticipated that
police/security forces will assume a "lead role" until such time as the scene can be ascertained as being safe for rescue and
other functions. Consider immediate evacuation of all civilians to a secure "debriefing area" at the earliest opportunity.
E. BE CONSTANTLY AWARE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SECONDARY EXPLOSIONS, ONGOING "FIRE
FIGHTS", OR A RAPIDLY DETERIORATING TACTICAL SITUATION. ESTABLISH COMMAND POSTS AT
A SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE SITE OF CONFLICT.
F. Evacuate injured patients to an area of safety as rapidly as the tactical situation permits. Medical personnel SHOULD
NOT attempt to treat people in an unsecured area, unless no other option is available. Particular attention must be paid to
the security of the perimeter in which medical personnel can be expected to work. If rescue is to be performed "under
fire", combat medical personnel must be afforded the protection of ballistic helmets and vests while operating in a hostile
environment. Remain in an unsecured area ONLY as long as necessary to perform the extrication of people at risk.
Coordinate your rescue with police/security personnel, so that they may provide "covering fire as necessary".
REMEMBER...dead or injured rescuers never HELP anyone...they only compound an already bad situation!
G. As circumstances dictate, and if needed, begin a Containment/Hostage Negotiation/Treatment phase of the operation.
This can ONLY be accomplished after ensuring both an inner and outer perimeter that is secure. REMEMBER...the "bad
guys" may not be "thrilled" with you performing an effective rescue after they have gone to all of the trouble of perpetrating
a major crime.
H. Institute a "full-blown" Mass Casualty Incident/Incident Command System (MCI/ICS) as soon as circumstances
necessitate and permit. CONTINUE TO CONSTANTLY MONITOR THE TACTICAL SITUATION AND BE
PREPARED TO MOVE TO ANOTHER (ALREADY PRE-DESIGNATED) AREA OF SAFETY.
I. In light of recent incidents in Atlanta, GA, Tel Aviv, Israel, Paris France, and elsewhere, extreme caution is urged in
regard to a possibility of secondary explosions or "booby-traps" designed to injure or kill emergency response personnel.
Standard Operating protocols/procedures must take this threat into account.
J. Terrorist incidents present a new and unique challenge to the emergency response community. Responders must be
adequately trained and equipped to participate and manage such operations. The current world situation requires both
vigilance and preparation.
SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS:
1. Unknown briefcases, packages, boxes, etc., left unattended in areas of large public gatherings. (i.e. Airports, Bus
Stations, Train Stations, Court Houses, Municipal/Federal buildings)
2. Seemingly abandoned cars, parked in an areas that are densely inhabited, or in close proximity to other "high-risk"
targets. (i.e. Near any of the above mentioned areas, shopping centers, government installations)
3. Civic, Government, Religious, Ethnic, or other recognized leaders, who may be the targets of assassination attempts.
Facilities containing these people.
4. Electrical Power plants, Natural Gas facilities, Nuclear Plants, Chemical factories, Telephone exchanges or Central
offices, or any other public infrastructure utility that could cause disruption of service or a danger to the public.
5. Emergency Response facilities; Fire/Police/EMS stations, FBI/Secret Service/ATF/DEA/CIA or other federal law
enforcement offices or facilities.
By: Clark Staten, ERRI Senior Analyst
Asst. Chief Paramedic, Chicago Fire Dept. (Ret)
With Contributions by:
Don Hiett, Asst. Chief, Atlanta Fire Dept. and Fire/EMS incident commander at the Olympic Centennial Park
bombing
Paul Maniscalco, Deputy Chief Paramedic, FDNY*EMS, and EMS incident commander at the World Trade Center
bombing.
(c) EmergencyNet NEWS Service, 1993
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