PURPOSE OF ORDER:
The purpose of this order is to establish procedures for the activation and deployment of the Emergency Response Team(s) (ERT) in response to a disturbance affecting the Twin Towers Correctional Facility (TTCF).
SCOPE OF ORDER:
This order shall apply to all personnel assigned to and/or working in any capacity at TTCF.
ORDER:
Primary Objectives
Primary objectives in the event of a disturbance or riot are:
Timely activation of ERT(s) and staging them in the affected sector is paramount. Compliance may then be obtained through negotiation, if reasonable safety for Department members and inmates can be established. During all spontaneous disturbances or any planned disturbance where escalation is evident through acts of violence and vandalism, a tactical deployment shall be initiated immediately.
In the event of a response outside of the TTCF building, only sworn personnel shall be deployed as part of the ERT. All personnel deploying outside of TTCF shall be equipped with the appropriate field responses gear, as indicated by the supervisor or incident commander.
Course of Action
Upon observing a disturbance or altercation, custody personnel shall report the incident and location to Facility Control immediately. Depending on the severity of the disturbance, the Facility Control supervising line may activate an ERT and direct them to a staging area, pending deployment. The Facility Control bonus deputy shall determine a safe and expeditious response route for activated ERT members to follow based upon areas affected by the disturbance, location of inmates, and fire or power shortage probability. An ERT response via elevator is preferred, but emergency stairwells may be used when needed. The stairwell number must be designated when the ERT activates so floor staff can stand by and unlock the stairwell doors as needed for responding ERT members.
The Facility Control supervising line shall immediately notify the watch commander of the ERT activation.
Facility Control shall activate an ERT by:
The selected ERT members should listen for specific instructions as to which equipment should be donned. If ERT equipment is requested, personnel shall respond to their designated officer stations and don their ERT equipment. ERT equipment consists of the following items:
When an announcement is heard over the public address (PA) system for sworn line personnel to respond to Facility Control in full field response gear, each deputy is required to be equipped with the following:
If fire gear is requested, personnel shall respond to their designated officer stations and don their fire gear which consists of:
These items are provided and shall be worn at all times, unless directed otherwise by a team leader or above. Once fully equipped, the ERT members shall assemble in the designated staging area with their team leader (minimum rank of sergeant).
An ERT ordinance cart is kept in each [REDACTED TEXT]. Facility Control shall ensure an ERT ordinance cart is taken to the staging area to link with the ERT.
NOTE: The armory keys shall not be taken to the affected area. They shall immediately be returned to their respective control booth upon completion of their use. Refer to TTCF Unit Order #3-07-030, Armory/Safety Equipment.
The team leader shall assess the situation, decide on an appropriate tactical plan and confer with the watch commander on deployment of the team.
Authorization to obtain special weapons from the ERT cart shall be at the discretion of the watch commander.
Identification of Personnel
Outside the Facility Responses
The incident commander will be rotated among the Basin facilities and assigned based upon shift:
In the event the assigned facility watch commander is unable to respond due to an emergency within their respective facility, the facility from the proceeding shift will provide their on-duty watch commander to assume the role until properly relieved.
The TTCF will be required to provide one ERT to any emergency or unusual occurrences (civil unrest, protests, major disasters, and large scale criminal activity) threatening the security of the Basin facilities. Absent exigent circumstances, the incident commander shall have discretion to request additional ERTs.
The Incident Commander or designee is responsible for contacting the South Court Services Transportation (CST) watch commander ([REDACTED TEXT]) and requesting the deployment of a CST bus onto [REDACTED TEXT], if needed.
Coordination shall be made for the use of the yellow crowd control coil barriers by responding ERTs. [REDACTED TEXT]. The location is secured by a combination lock and accessible through a combination code provided by the watch sergeant.
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