Integrated ASHER/RTF Program

Active Shooter/Hostile Event (ASHER) & Rescue Task Force (RTF)

(for viewing on smaller mobile devices turn horizontally for better graphic viewing)

 

 

 

Chain of Survival

 

We feel it is important to note that Rescue Task Force (RTF) training is only a piece of the response to an Active Shooter/Hostile Event (ASHE). If we are not good at all the parts of responding to these incidents more lives will be lost. We have developed the following Chain of Survival that drives our program.

 

 

 

 

Our Program

 

All Police, Fire and EMS responders are required to complete "Yealy Competencies". This involves the following training:

 

  1. Introduction Level- presentation developed by our instructor team, accessed through our Learning Management Software (LMS)
  2. Awareness Level- instructor led training reinforcing the Introduction Level presentation.
  3. Operational Level- competency demonstration in areas such as direct to threat, donning protective gear, tourniquet use, lifts & carries and TECC all and under various stressors and conditions. The culmination of the yearly competencies occurs through integrated scenario based training.

 

Since 2013 the Gila River Public Safety Group has been addressing the need to change tactics for an Active Shooter/Hostile Event (ASHE). We understand that both tactics and strategies differ from a standard Mass Casualty Incident (MCI). In recognition that the current generation of public safety leadership has not "grown up" in the industry under these tactics, we are currently developing a modified organizational structure under ICS for the supervisory level and up. This will ensure that those called upon to assume command or a function of command will understand the tactics of those with "boots on the ground" as they develop the strategy for the incident.  

 

Program History

 

In 2013 Officer Jim Stevenson (PD), Deputy Chief Dave Martin (FD) and Deputy Chief Kevin Knight (EMS) started the development of an integrated, holistic approach to responding to active assailant incidents. At that time we were one of only three other known communities developing training for all emergency responders in this integrated response. The following are a few of the development milestones of our program;

 

     2013

 

  • 04/2013, Gila River EMS TEMS Medics trains all of GRPD in tourniquet usage and their newly issued IFAK (kits)
  • 05/2013, Chief Knight (EMS) and Captain Brooks (FD) approach Training Officer Stevenson (PD) separately within a 24 hour period, about the Hartford Consensus that was published after the Sandy Hook shooting and upcoming CFD training on the topic
  • 06/2013, Many hours of research and meetings occur between Chief Martin (FD), Chief Knight (EMS) and Officer Stevenson (PD) in developing response standards
  • 09/2013, Instructors from each department are identified and start meeting to develop the training program
  • 11/2013, Three Phases of Training identified: 1. Introduction (1 hour of self-study), 2. Awareness Level (2-3 hr instructor lead class), 3. Operations Level (20 hours of high intensity scenario based training)
  • 12/2013, Several meetings occur with the program coordinators, department chiefs and HR specialists to gain support of the program and identify any issues

 

     2014

 

  • 04/2014, Instructor group received instructor certification
  • 06/2014, GIla River Public Safety was awarded a large Tribal Homeland Security Grant through OEM to help with equipment, PPE and overtime
  • 08/2014, Instructors performed a full ASHER drill at the Phoenix Premium Outlets to garnish support from community leaders who were in attendance
  • 12/2014, Instructors attended a Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) course
  • 12/2014, Concurrence by all departments on the Integrated Threat Intervention (Active Assailant) Response policy
  • 12/2014, Introduction level training started for all staff

 

     2015

 

  • 01/2015, Awareness level training started for all staff
  • 02/2015, First of 15 Operational trainings performed
  • 03/2015, Officer Stevenson and Deputy Chief Kevin Knight receive ALERRT CRASE certification
  • 12/2015, ALERRT Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) taught to the community’s directors to garnish support for community survival classes (nearly 1000 students have been taught to date)

 

     2016

 

  • 07/2016, Last of 15 Operational trainings completed (because of the heavy logistical needs including live role players we only held one training session per month)
  • 08/2016, Phoenix Premium Outlets drill with on duty units (several outside public safety departments and state officials attended including the AZDHS BEMS Director)
  • 08/2016, Officer Stevenson, Deputy Chief Knight and Prehospital Coordinator Barb Schaffer presented as SME's at the Arizona DHS 2016 Integrated Response to Mass Shootings Conference

 

     2017

 

  • Multiple CRASE community classes to schools, businesses and government departments
  • Multiple meetings with schools, businesses and government departments in emergency plans and infrastructure deficiencies

 

     2018

 

  • 01/2018, Program coordinators and lead instructors met several times to discuss developing a sustainable program
  • 03/2018, Officer Stevenson and Deputy Chief Knight were asked to assist Coolidge PD & FD on the development of their response program
  • 03/2018, Officer Stevenson, Deputy Chief Knight and Commander Manual presented as SME's at an Arizona EMS Functional Group meeting on RTF
  • 03/2018, Officer Stevenson and Deputy Chief Knight presented as SME’s at a Pinal County ASHER/RTF planning meeting
  • 03/2018, Concurrence memos supported by the Department Chief's on terminology changes from AAEMS to ASHER/RTF and program sustainability/annual training
  • 05/2018, Phoenix Premium Outlets ASHER drill with on duty units
  • 11/2018, The program yearly competencies were officially published 
  • 11/2018, Additional instructors were identified and asked to become SME’s through ongoing training, research and participation

 

     2019

 

  • 01/2019, Program training direction was identified through a series of instructor meetings
  • 02/2019, The new instructors from each department received instructor certification
  • 03/2019, Concurrence memo again supported by the Department Chief's on program sustainability/annual training
  • 03/2019, First of 22 scenario based trainings occurred (part of the yearly competency training required for every Police, Fire, EMS & Dispatch employee)
  • 05/2019, Deputy Chief Kevin Knight (EMS) is in development of the ICS for ASHER MCIs that will address the startegies at the supervisory and up level
  • 11/2019, Completion of 16 scenario based ASHER operational trainings 

 

     2020

 

  • Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and community guidelines no in-person training occurred

 

     2021

 

  • 10/2021, EMS Deputy Chief Kevin Knight, GRPD Officer Ralph Martinez, GRPD Sgt Celestina Perez, Communications Supervisor Christina Hughes and Communications Administrator Teresa Villescaz met to discuss strategies for the program
  • 11/2021, Program administrators, leads and instructors met to discuss the logistics of re-starting the training program

  

Resources

 

 

 

For obvious security reasons we do not publicly publish the specific tactics & strategies of our response program. We will share this information with Public Safety agencies upon special request. We feel passionately about ensuring all responders are training in this response.

 

Contact Deputy Chief Kevin KnightASHER/RTF Program Lead for more information.