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HomeMy WebLinkAbout202.010 - Illicit Explosives, Explosions, Bomb Threat Incidents, and SWAT Operations Fresno City Fire Department 200 Standard Operating Procedures Manual SECTION 202.010 ILLICIT EXPLOSIVES, EXPLOSIONS, BOMB THREAT INCIDENTS, AND SWAT OPERATIONS PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to outline the Fresno Fire Department’s (FFD or Department) response to requests from the Fresno Police Department (Police Department) for operational support of the following: Explosive Ordinance Device Team (EOD) SWAT Operations Aircraft Bomb Threat Vehicle Bomb Threat Structure Bomb Threat APPLICATION The Police Department has jurisdiction over suspected or actual illicit explosive devices and bomb threat incidents in the City of Fresno (City). An Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) Team has been developed within the Police Department. The EOD Team members are trained and experienced in the analysis, abatement, and investigation of explosive related incidents. OPERATIONAL POLICY It is the Department’s policy to support operations of the Police Department’s EOD Team, in accordance with the following guidelines: 1. Department support of the EOD Team operations for an improvised explosive device (non-hazmat) shall consist of standby only, prepared at all times to take whatever reasonable action is necessary should a detonation occur. 2. When a threat is received involving a Department facility, initial action shall be at the discretion of the senior on-duty Department senior officer. The Communications Center shall be notified immediately. Effective Date: October 2007 Section 202.010 Current Revision Date: 3/22/2022 ADA Next Revision (2) Date: 3/22/2024 Page 1 of 5 3. In all cases involving a vehicle bomb threat or suspected vehicle bombing attempt, the vehicle shall not be distributed in any manner and will be immediately turned over to the EOD Team, which will perform any necessary search and removal. 4. Any explosive device or suspicious object found or located in any public or private facility, vehicle, aircraft, or Fire Department building shall not be disturbed in any manner. The EOD Team will immediately take charge of the incident and removal will be performed only by its trained personnel. 5. If a detonation does occur, any necessary fire control should be accomplished with water or CO2 only, using as little agent as possible. The use of AFFF or dry powder should be avoided, if possible. 6. Overhaul of an explosive incident scene shall be held to an absolute minimum prior to the completion of the EOD Team investigation 7. Department support of the EOD Team operations for an improvised explosive device suspected to be used as a dispersion device (WMD/HazMat) shall consist of the formation of a task force consisting of members of the EOD and Hazardous Materials Teams. The incident commander shall make the appropriate notifications, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Incident Commander The responsibility for incident command rests with the law enforcement agency on scene having jurisdictional authority (unified command should be a consideration.) Department members on scene shall support the incident commander. First Responder In the event a company officer is on scene prior to law enforcement arrival, he/she shall establish command. If a company officer is investigating an incident and determines that the incident requires upgrading, the first responder shall conduct on- scene operations as any other potential hazardous materials release. 1. Isolate the immediate area (hot zone). 2. Evacuate the room(s) containing the package or device. 3. Create a safe refuge area for victims or potential victims, if detonation has occurred. Effective Date: October 2007 Section 202.010 Current Revision Date: 3/22/2022 ADA Next Revision (2) Date: 3/22/2024 Page 2 of 5 4. Emergency decontamination of victims (if warranted). 5. Preserve evidence (to include clothing). 6. Collect victim information for the public health authorities. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE This section intentionally left blank. PROCESS Hazardous Materials Response Team (HMRT) The HMRT is to assist the incident commander with the following activities when requested: 1. Combine with the EOD Team in a task force response (if needed). 2. Preserve evidence (including clothing). 3. Create safe refuge area. 4. Decontaminate victims. 5. Determine release or suspected release. 6. Identify witnesses. 7. Interview witnesses. 8. Identify generating device. 9. Make entry to collect evidence for the FBI. 10.Decontaminate or isolate the scene. 11.Maintain awareness of secondary explosive devices. Effective Date: October 2007 Section 202.010 Current Revision Date: 3/22/2022 ADA Next Revision (2) Date: 3/22/2024 Page 3 of 5 SWAT Activities Initial Fire Department operations at SWAT incidents are to consist of standby at a location convenient to the Police Department command post and secure from hazardous exposure. The Fire Department officer in charge is to identify himself/herself to the SWAT commander and maintain readiness for support activities. In no event should Department members be utilized in activities that would subject them to hazardous exposure in unsecured areas. NORMAL RESPONSE BY TYPE OF EMERGENCY: SWAT Operations Upon request by the Police Department, the Communications Center is to request one engine company, Code 2. Aircraft Bomb Threat These incidents normally occur at the Fresno Air Terminal. A standard response is to be Airport CFR/security. Vehicle Bomb Threat or Suspected Vehicle Bombing Attempt Response to this type of incident is normally requested by the Police Department EOD officer. The standard response is to be one engine, Code 2. Structure Bomb Threat Response to this type of incident is normally requested by the Police Department EOD officer. The standard response is one engine, Code 2. At all incidents of this type, the EOD officer are to specify if additional apparatus is desirable or if Code 3 is necessary. Detonations – Structure Immediate dispatch of full first-alarm assignment, Code 3. Effective Date: October 2007 Section 202.010 Current Revision Date: 3/22/2022 ADA Next Revision (2) Date: 3/22/2024 Page 4 of 5 Detonations -Vehicle Response is to be at the discretion of the Communications Center dispatcher, based on available information, Code 2 or Code 3. INFORMATION This section intentionally left blank. DEFINITIONS 1. Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) Team: Team within the Fresno Police Department that investigates and responds to explosive related incidents 2. Hot Zone: Also referred to as the exclusion zone in some jurisdictions. The hot zone is usually set up in the immediate area surrounding the spilled material or incident scene. Access to the hot zone should be controlled for accountability purposes as well as contamination control purposes. CROSS-REFERENCES This section intentionally left blank. Effective Date: October 2007 Section 202.010 Current Revision Date: 3/22/2022 ADA Next Revision (2) Date: 3/22/2024 Page 5 of 5