Terrorist related incidents PN259

Question 1

What are five UK threat levels?

Answer 1

• Low an attack is unlikely.
• Moderate an attack is possible, but not likely.
• Substantial an attack is a strong possibility.
• Severe an attack is highly likely.
• Critical an attack is expected imminently.

Question 2

The NILO is the London Fire Brigade ‘tactical advisor’ for what events?

Answer 2

1. Conventional terrorism
2. CBRN terrorism
3. Firearms related incidents
4. Public disorder
5. Crisis management.

Question 3

When will LFB crews be recommitted to an area for firefighting and rescue purposes relating to terrorist incidents?

Answer 3

Once the ballistic threat has diminished and a joint understanding of risk (JUR) between all three emergency services has been undertaken.

Question 4

When some level of defensive firefighting commitment is considered, what form of action would this take?

Answer 4

This may take the form of ground monitors that can be safely positioned within the hazard area by the MPS Firearms Unit.

Question 5

What are the arrangments where it is known or suspected that a ballistic threat from firearms (or an explosive threat) exists?

Answer 5

All resources will be directed away from the threat area until it has been declared safe by police. Appliance commanders and officers may initially be directed to safe RVPs, marshalling area or strategic holding area (SHA).

Question 6

What action should staff take in order to ‘Stay Safe’, if they ever find themselves in a situation where firearms are being used?

Answer 6

1. Immediately seek out and move behind substantial cover from gun fire. Substantial cover would include concrete or structural elements of a building.
2. If unable to identify substantial physical cover crews should seek out cover that is out of direct view of the armed assailant(s).
3. If safe to do so crews should try to make an immediate escape from the firearms threat and direct members of the public to areas of safety.

Question 7

Will an engine block of a vehicle provide ballistic protection?

Answer 7

Yes

Question 8

At the earliest opportunity crews should communicate with Brigade control or police and provide as much information as possible as to the nature of the threat. What Key information should be included?

Answer 8

1. The number and exact location of armed assailant(s).
2. Description of the weapons being used (hand gun, rifle, automatic weapon etc).
3. Description of the armed assailant(s)
4. Information on hostages or victims.

Question 9

What does the acronym VaWA stand for?

Answer 9

Vehicles as a weapon attack

Question 10

What main points should responders consider when attending a VaWA type of incident?

Answer 10

1. Anticipate further violent action by the driver and/or passengers to include using weapons to injure and kill additional members of the public and responders.
2. Treatment/rescue of the injured and protection of the responders/victims should occur simultaneously.
3. Threat of further vehicles being used to target responders. Utilisation of fire appliances to block unauthorised vehicle access to scene. This must be balanced with need for further emergency services to access casualties, consider leaving drivers with vehicles.
4. Early liaison with Police to confirm attendance of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team and secondary sweeps of area and other emergency responder locations.
5. Anticipate and prepare for other attacks or incidents.
6. Early declaration of suspected terrorist event and providing a METHANE message to control
7. The importance of establishing a shared situational awareness and joint understanding of risk with our partner emergency responders, early adoption of the Jesip principle should be applied.

Question 11

What is STEP 1 of the STEP 1, 2, 3 plus protocol?

Answer 11

Step 1 - one person incapacitated with no obvious reason: Approach using standard protocols.

Question 12

What is STEP 2 of the STEP 1, 2, 3 plus protocol?

Answer 12

Step 2 - two people incapacitated with no obvious reason - Approach with caution using standard protocols.

Question 13

What is STEP 3 of the STEP 1, 2, 3 plus protocol?

Answer 13

Three or more people in close proximity, incapacitated with no obvious reason - Use caution and follow step ‘plus’.

Question 14

What is STEP Plus of the STEP 1, 2, 3 plus protocol?

Answer 14

Plus - follow the CBRN first responder flowchart to consider what actions can be undertaken to save life, using the following principles:

• Evacuate – get people away from the scene of contamination.
• Communicate and advise – immediate medical advice and reassurance that help is on its way.
• Disrobe – remove clothing.
• Decontaminate

Question 15

When should dry decontamination be used for improvised decontamination?

Answer 15

When a non-caustic agent is suspected

Question 16

When should wet decontamination be used for improvised decontamination?

Answer 16

When a caustic agent is suspected

Question 17

At any incident identified as having terrorist origins, who will be responsible for the overall control and co-ordination of the incident?

Answer 17

The police incident commander

Question 18

A call to a bomb or terrorist related incident would normally fall into what categories?

Answer 18

1. No warning - device actuated
2. Warning given - device actuated
3. Warning given - device not actuated, made safe.

Question 19

Regardless of what category an incident falls into, what are the considerations personnel should take?

Answer 19

1. Think - secondary devices
2. Think - safe cordon distances
3. Think - safety! Do not touch.

Question 20

When is the only time that Brigade personnel should search for suspect devices?

Answer 20

When a device is reported to be on a fire station, or premises to which the personnel undertaking the search are attached.

Question 21

Effective cordon control is paramount when dealing with IEDs, what is the minimum distance for a suitcase size device?

Answer 21

100 Metres

Question 22

Effective cordon control is paramount when dealing with IEDs, what is the minimum distance for a Car/light vehicle?

Answer 22

200 Metres

Question 23

Effective cordon control is paramount when dealing with IEDs, what is the minimum distance for a Lorry / HGV?

Answer 23

More than 400m

Note: If any doubt exists on size, 400m should be the minimum distance

Question 24

What must be considered before committing personnel into an area where a suspect package has been identified?

Answer 24

1. Not in direct line of sight.
2. Away from glass.
3. Away from secondary hazards (parked vehicles, garages etc).
4. Behind hard cover.
5. Upwind if any suspicion of chemical or biological agent.
6. Beware secondary devices.
7. Request police - if not in attendance.

Question 25

How should brigade vehicles be sited when dealing with an IED?

Answer 25

Vehicles should be sited facing away from the IED with their windows open and under the direction of the police.

Question 26

What emergency service responders actions, referred to as the five C’s, will an Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) officer expect prior to their arrival?

Answer 26

1. Confirm
   
   • Locaton , postion and characteristics have been noted.
2. Clear
   
   • The public have been safely cleared away from the area, clearing those nearest to the device first.
   • Evacuation/invacuation of nearby premises has been considered.
   • Direct those affected by CBRN to a safe area to await IOR/medical aid.
3. Cordon
   
   • Cordons in place to appropriate distances.
   • Not in direct line of sight behind hard cover.
   • Away from glass and parked vehicles.
4. Control
   
   • Ensure control is informed.
   • Rendezvous point is designated and searched.
5. Check
   
   • Cordoned areas have been checked to ensure they are clear.
   • Secondary devices and hazards considered.
   • Request for more resources made as necessary.

Question 27

What answers are expected from emergency service responders, referred to as the five W’s, will an Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) officer expect during a handover?

Answer 27

1. What
   
   • What is it? Size , componets and description?
2. Where
   
   • Where is it? Exact postion. Map of approach route.
3. When
   
   • Exact time it was found?
   • Has it been moved by anyone?
4. Why
   
   • Why is it suspicious?
   • Any potential targets nearby ( people or places)?
   • Any suspects?
5. Who
   
   • Who are the witnesses/informants.
   • Keep them available at the rendezvous point for the EOD officer.

Question 28

What are the early operational considerations which can have a major impact on the subsequent management of the incident following a device activation?

Answer 28

1. The early establishment of both the Brigade’s Command Team and the multi-service Command Team is vital.
2. Simple strategies such as the location of the command point; rendezvous points etc.

Question 29

Initial attendance crews ordered to a terrorist incident (device activated) will automatically undertake the core functions of rescue and firefighting and making the area safe for both the victims and the other emergency services in respect of the debris created by the explosion, what are the safety measures be adopted, until an area is declared “safe”?

Answer 29

1. Never assume that because an explosion has occurred, there are no other IED’s in the area.
2. Only the minimum number of personnel should be used to carry out rescues or other tasks deemed necessary to secure public safety.

Question 30

What does the acronym IVC stand for with regards to digital main scheme radio systems?

Answer 30

Interagency Voice Communication

It provides a number of talk-groups over which groups of radios can communicate. Some of these are reserved talk-groups, common to radios from several agencies.

Question 31

What are the benefits of IVC?

Answer 31

It supports the exchange of real time information during an incident by:

1. Improving communications between emergency responders from multiple agencies.
2. Contributing to a common understanding of situations.
3. Improving the co-ordination of activities.
4. Increasing safety by helping to alert personnel to hazards.
5. Reducing, managing or mitigating risk or harm to the public or responders.
6. Assisting decision making.

Question 32

If there is a risk of IED’s what is the minimum distance for the use of an appliance / main scheme radio?

Answer 32

50 Metres

Question 33

If there is a risk of IED’s what is the minimum distance for the use of a hand held radio?

Answer 33

10 Metres

Question 34

At terrorist incidents, who has the responsibility to establish a press briefing area and provide statements to the media?

Answer 34

Entirely a police responsibility.

No information, photographs or video films should be released to the media, this includes the use of social media, until cleared by the police