In a recent poll, police agencies were asked if they have conducted interagency mass casualty incident response training in the past year. The results were alarming:
Only 22% of respondents said "yes"
A staggering 74% of respondents selected "no"
This lack of preparation is dangerous for all public safety agencies – including police, fire, and EMS – as well as the communities they serve. As we have seen over the years, no agency is immune from this type of high-priority, high-risk call.
Challenges in US Responder Training
As the CEO of Crisis Response Leader Training and a former senior operative, combat advisor, and High Threat team leader, I find these US responder training trends deeply concerning. The challenges we face mirror those observed by advisors in elite forces conducting global operations over the past two decades. While the missions differ, the leadership challenges remain consistent.
Key Areas for Improvement
I urge all my colleagues in this field to consider the following crucial points:
Establish a Clear Chain of Command: Ensure authority and responsibility for all actions and operations.
Create Unity of Effort: Foster collaboration and coordination among all involved parties.
Maintain Situational Awareness: This should occur at all levels - individual, team, staff, and commander.
Integrate All Assets: Utilize all available resources effectively.
Synchronize Tasks and Purposes: Ensure assets are used at the right place and time.
Develop a Comprehensive Plan: This enhances your ability to adapt rapidly when needed.
Conduct Regular Rehearsals: Include contingency plans in your practice sessions.
Leadership Supervision: Leaders must oversee execution and remain focused throughout.
Establish Robust Liaison and Outreach: Encourage inclusion and community engagement.
Implement Lessons Learned Reviews: Conduct thorough after-action reviews to continually improve.
Acknowledging Current Challenges
I empathize with today's responders facing these formidable challenges. Our current climate of budget cuts, political scapegoating of law enforcement, low morale, recruitment difficulties, high turnover, and increasingly dangerous communities makes overcoming these obstacles even more daunting. However, we must press forward – innocent lives depend on our commitment and preparedness.
Recommendations for Improvement
To address these challenges effectively, I recommend seeking joint, multi-agency, and community synergies for leadership training opportunities. This approach offers several benefits:
Fosters a more inclusive environment
Integrates and synchronizes various entities during actual responses
Builds trust and improves communication
Reduces overall costs
By focusing on these areas, we can work towards better preparedness and more effective responses to high-priority, high-risk situations, ultimately serving and protecting our communities more efficiently.
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