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

Crisis Situation: 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.

Hostage Situation: A crisis situation in which a person is held

against their will to force fulfillment of demands.

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

Hostage Situation:A crisis situation in which a

person is held against their will to force fulfillment of demands.

Usually Involves: Threat to harm a person if

demands are not met.

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

Hostage Situation continued:Usually Involves:

Primary GoalHaving demands metGaining some type of advantage

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

Defensive Threat:Usually employed in non-hostage situations

Threats are primarily to prevent police action

“If you come in here I’ll hurt Joe!

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

First Responders Duties:Contain the threat.Isolate the threat.Engage the person in conversation

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

Containment and Isolation accomplish: Prevents the spread of the threat. Prevents the escape of the subject Prevents unauthorized persons to enter

the crisis site. Applies pressure on the subject by

isolating him from the outside world.

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

Containing the subject to one specific location accomplishes:

Seals off the location or house from outside influence

Disables or removes any means of escape for the person

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

Quick Assessment:What type of situation exists?Have hostages been taken?What type of weapons are involved?

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

Request Additional resources:SupervisorBack up officers.AmbulanceFire apparatus.SWATCNT

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

Evacuation considerations: Persons in close proximity of the crisis

incident Close off streets or neighborhoods if

necessary Vehicular & pedestrian traffic should be

controlled . Establish an outer perimeter a safe

distance from the site.

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

Working through the crisis:Most dangerous time:

First few minutes of crisis.Last few minutes during

surrender.Subject is usually very unstable

and irrational

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

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

Recommended Techniques:Circumstances may require the first responder to establish contact with the subjectHe may call youHostage may call you3rd party contact (prior)

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

Using Non-threatening non-judgmental language will:

Promote Rational ThinkingAllow for arrival of additional resources

Can aid in intelligence gathering

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

Negotiations Protocol Introduce yourself by name

Exclude rank Identify the agency you work for Advise subject you are there to help Show concern for the subject

Ask if he/she is O.K. Reassure him no one will come in / rush

him

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

Negotiations Protocol If hostages have been taken:

Don’t call them hostages Talk of them as people Ask about their condition Ask their names

Calling them by name will make the subject think of them as people not objects

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

Negotiations Protocol Ask the subject what happened? Let the subject talk

When he / she talks, they vent anger and frustration

You gain intelligence

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

Be a good listener and reassure the subject Speak in a calm voice at all times Do not get into a shouting match Do not debate with the subject Avoid setting deadlines Talk through any he sets

Contact him prior to deadline or time of action & talk past it

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

Statements that are vague or indicate finality: Could mean he / she is thinking

about suicide It is O.K. to ask him / her if he / she is

thinking about suicide

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

Opening Exchange: “Hello my name is….. And I work for the

Racine Police Department. I’m here to help you.”

“What is your name or what name can I call you?”

”Are you O.K.” Are the people in there with you, O.K.”

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

Allow the subject to talk: “Can you tell me what happened?”

A lot of incidents are emotionally driven Try to identify which emotion he subject

is feeling

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

AngerFrustrationFearSadnessDepression

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

After the subject tells his story: Encourage further conversation by

labeling the emotion: “Jim, it sounds like you are very angry

about …. The subject will either confirm or correct

you

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

Tips for Safe First Responder Interaction: Your safety comes first Do not negotiate face to face with

potentially armed subjects Never exchange yourself for anyone

else Do not allow non-police personnel to

negotiate

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

Plan Surrenders carefully 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:Gather intelligence for SWAT &

CNT# of subjectsType of weapons# of hostages

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

As a first responder you can:Gather intelligence continued:

Location of hostagesEvaluate subjects state of mind

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

As a first responder you can: Stall for time:

Time saves lives (Usually) Allows SWAT / CNT to get into place Has calming effect on everyone Don’t agree to anything (need boss' approval)

Create Diversions Keep subject talking Keep subject in problem solving mode

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

You can provide Real Time Intelligence to SWAT /CNT

Where is the subject NOW? Where are the hostages NOW? His / Her state of mind NOW?

Critical Incident First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

Don’t Forget our goal is to SAVE LIVES

First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics

This information was provided by

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