Coordination Between Firefighters, Law Enforcement Has Improved Since Columbine

Coordination Between Firefighters, Law Enforcement Has Improved Since Columbine

http://www.officer.com/web/online/Top-News-Stories/Coordination-Between-Firefighters--Law-Enforcement-Has-Improved-Since-Columbine/1$53623

BY SUSAN NICOL KYLE Officer.com News

When the first responders arrived at Columbine High School in Littleton, Col., for the school shooting in 1999, they had no idea of the magnitude of the event.
Firefighters and EMTs stopped in front of the school where students were running toward them. They found a person with an ankle injury.
They had no idea that Jefferson County deputies were on the other side of the school and that two students were dead, and others injured, retired Littleton Fire Dept. Chief Bill Pessemier said Thursday.
Speaking at Firehouse Expo in Baltimore, Md. last week -- part of Officer.com partner Web site Firehouse.com -- Pessemier described the chaotic scene comprised of sirens, helicopeters, police officers, SWAT teams, traffic and anxious parents.
The response was an uncoordinated event that Pessemier said caused confusion between firefighters and law enforcement.
"We had no professional or operational relationship with these guys," he said, adding that it was difficult to get a handle on the incident.
Unable to communicate by radio, Pessemier said things were escalating quickly. They had never worked together, and therefore, didn't know one another.
"We had runners like the Roman army," he said, adding that phones, cell phones and radios were useless.
Pessemier said he agreed to allow the police to move one of the fire engines to use as cover for officers. "We were criticized for giving them our engine."
But, the chief defended his decision saying it made sense to him. Since they hadn't worked together, firefighters weren't familiar with terms like "clear."
Pessemier said after paramedics were motioned to come around back to get patients they found themselves in the middle of a firefight. "Luckily, they were bad shots."
Officers were transporting patients out to triage areas for treatment. "We'd never planned for that -- that officers would be bringing the injured to us."
One of his deputy chiefs, dressed in a black or dark bunker coat, who was assisting with the landing of a helicopter, was taken down at gunpoint. Had he been able to communicate with police, he would have been able to identify who the person was.
Pessemier urged fire and rescue crews not to wait until they're on the significant incident to introduce themselves to police officers.
He said it's essential for everyone to know the resources available beforehand.
Controlling the scene was almost impossible. Several ambulance companies responded on their own to assist.
The retired chief said someone needs to take the lead, and get people to understand that things like this could happen in their little town.
Pessemier added that Will Rogers said it best: "Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there."

6 dead, 4 wounded in New Mexico Office Shooting (Mass Shooting Resources)

6 dead, 4 wounded in New Mexico Office Shooting (Mass Shooting Resources)
No cost materials

Workplace Violence/Active Shooter BrochureFrom Safeguard Iowa Partnership for private industry/business.
www.safeguardiowa.com/resources/reports/spotlight

Active Shooter: Tri-fold Brochure for ResponseIn aftermath of the Fort Hood shootings, Air Force Education andTraining command officials emphasize vigilance and readiness to respondto unexpected life-threatening events. They issued tri-fold brochurefor training, education and response.
http://www.military-writers.com/active_shooter_aetc_response.html

EMS Response to Mass ViolenceWhat should you know to keep you and your fellow responders safe?
www.emsresponder.com/print/EMS-Magazine/EMS-Response-to-Mass-Violence/1$12663

FSF's "Mass Shooting - Planning and Response for Fire and EMS" program was reviewed by the Department of Homeland Security's Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center's November 12, 2009 INFOGRAM.
http://www.ffsupport.org/training.html

Visor Cards/First Responder Check Sheets

AMU Checklist Cards. Downloadable versions of our AMU checklists cards containing helpful information to those who are working on the field. These documents can be saved and sent to recipients who are interested in learning more about these specifics topics.
http://www.apus.edu/resources/AMU-Community/Checklists/index.htm

First Responder Critical Incident Guide identifies key functions that are essential for first responders (Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement, Special Teams, Military, etc.) during the first 10–30 minutes of a “critical incident”. Over 15 topics.
http://www.redhatpub.com/page1/page3/page3.html

Four busted in 'dirty bomb' sale sting in South Africa.

Four busted in 'dirty bomb' sale sting in South Africa.
RDD obviously still a threat.

www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20100710085544493C308461

Toronto 18

Excellent article on the Toronto 18 with a great overview of the "homegrown terrorist threat" with ties to international terrorism.

http://www3.thestar.com/static/toronto18/index.1.html

Austin Deliberate Plane Crash: Incident Report and Analysis

Austin Deliberate Plane Crash: Incident Report and Analysis

On February 18, 2010, Andrew Joseph Stack deliberately flew his small single-engine aircraft into the Echelon I office building at 9420 Research Blvd. in Austin, Texas. Prior to that, he had set fire to his own residence approximately two miles from the Echelon I building, drove 15 miles to the Georgetown Municipal Airport, and took off heading straight for the Echelon I building.

Excellent report on response, operations, command and control, EOC, etc.
Go to http://www.fireengineering.com/index.html and put "Austin Plane Crash: Incident Report and Analysis" in the search engine.

ADL Terrorism (Domestic and International) Resources

ADL Terrorism (Domestic and International) Resources

One resource for information. Breaking news and in-depth features on domestic and international terrorism.

http://www.adl.org/main_Terrorism/default.htm