The fire service and events that involve violence

NFPA has been working with international, national, state, and local agencies, to develop information, tools, and strategies to help first responders be best prepared for — and to protect their communities from — issues of civil unrest, active shooting incidents, terror events, and other violent situations.

NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program, addresses civil unrest/terrorism in Sections 6-7: Fire departments shall develop and maintain written guidelines that establish a standardized approach to the safety of members at incidents that involve violence, unrest or civil disturbances. Such situations shall include but not be limited to riots, fights, violent crimes, drug-related situations, family disturbances, deranged individuals, and people with fire department operations. More about NFPA 1500.

National fire organizations decry Dallas shootings, issue warning to first responders and offer resources in wake of targeted shootings

In light of the July 7, 2016, shootings in Dallas that took the lives of five career police officers, a group of national fire organizations - representing fire service leaders, first responders, and EMS professionals, issued a list of resources that address the issue of civil unrest, active shooting incidents, and body armor basics for first responders.

DHS and FBI Countering Violent Extremism and Active Shooter (CVE-AS) web portals
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is leading an initiative to counter violent extremism and prevent active shooter events. Working with government and civilian partners, the goal is gain a better understanding of behaviors, tactics and other indicators that could point to potential violent or terrorist activity and the best ways to mitigate or prevent that activity. 

• Active shooters: position statement from the Metro Chiefs
• Active shooter and complex event resources: Note: access requires IAFC membership
• Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department Operational Considerations and Guide for Active Shooter and Mass Casualty Incidents: from UFSA
• Presentations from the Metro Chiefs Conference
  
  • Southern Nevada Hostile Fire MCI response policy
  • Protecting our First Responders: The Importance of Properly Fitting Protective Gear (Vests): by Rob Kinsler, HP White Laboratory, Inc.
  • Civil Unrest: by Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, Assistant to the General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
  • Fire, Resuce and EMS Operations in Periods of Civil Unrest: by Dr. Denis Onieal, Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator
  • Active Shooter Response: by Chief Jim Schwartz, Arlington County (VA) Fire Department
    
    Other resources courtesy of the Arlington County Fire Department
    • Rescue task force zone map, SOP, operations, protocols
    • Patient status and information flow
    • "Toward the Sound of Shooting": Medical response model to active shooter incidents. From Jems.com
    • Tactical Emergency Casualty Care: Guidelines for the Provision of Prehospital Trauma Care in High Threat Environments. From the Journal of Special Operations Medicine
    • Evolution and Application of TCCC Guidelines to Civilian High Threat Medicine: From the Journal of Special Operations Medicine

From NFPA Journal®

• The New War at Home: The many ways NFPA is addressing emerging threats of violence (May/June 2016)
• Fire and smoke as a weapon: Over the course of three days in November 2008, Pakistani terrorists blazed a trail of destruction through Mumbai, India. Media attention centered on the five-star Taj Mahal Hotel, which the terrorists set ablaze in spectacular fashion. (Nov/Dec 2014)
  • Related: Urban Fire Forum position statement on fire and smoke as a weapon (Sept 2014)
• Strength in Numbers: How the fire service can play a key role in an integrated approach to responding to mass-casualty shootings (Sept/Oct 2013)