NCJ Number
203166
Journal
Sheriff Volume: 55 Issue: 5 Dated: September-October 2003 Pages: 40-41
Editor(s)
Mike Terault
Date Published
September 2003
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article presents tactical techniques developed by the Somerset County, NJ tactical team in their preparation and response to a potential hazmat incident.
Abstract
There are many new challenges facing the Nation’s tactical teams as they prepare for a response to a terrorist attack. Tactical teams across the nation must be prepared for an armed law enforcement response in a weapons of mass destruction (WMD) environment. One such tactical team is the Somerset County, NJ tactical team. This article briefly describes some of the response techniques developed by Somerset County when faced with a hazmat environment. The Tactical Relief System utilizes three teams in Level B personal protective equipment to clear a building that has a known hazard. While two teams start clearing a building from the top floor down, the third team is suited up but not under air, to respond in case of emergency or for normal tactical relief. Tactical relief occurs when the first officer on one of the two clearing teams reaches a predetermined level of air remaining. The county also created the two-part officer-monitoring system, monitoring every minute piece of data regarding location, health, and movement of an officer. Part one uses a graph with a key on the bottom that anyone can use. All vital information on every officer can be easily recorded. In the second part, baseline vitals of the team should be taken by the EMS staff prior to responding to an event or training.