To help fire departments provide service to their communities and protect their personnel, the IAFC has both compiled and developed the following resources for preparing for incidents involving civil unrest:
- Response Considerations: Incidents Involving Crowds Following the 2020 National Election Period: This document outlines potential threats during the period before, during, and after the November 3 election. It is still relevant as we approach the January 20 presidential inauguration. This document discusses incidents, including cyber-attacks, civil unrest, and arson. It also includes operational considerations and resources.
- Incidents Involving Crowds During COVID-19 Pandemic: This IAFC document details nine response considerations that fire and EMS departments may encounter when responding to incidents involving large protest crowds that escalate into violence.
- Best Practices for EMS and Fire Response to Incidents During Civil Unrest: This document, prepared by the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, provides information about protecting personnel, vehicles and stations, along with how to safely operate during a period of civil unrest.
- Violent Extremists and Terrorists Exploit Civil Unrest & Public Assemblies in the U.S.: This two-page report summarizes the civil unrest threat and includes resources for local public safety agencies’ use.
- Protecting Infrastructure During Public Demonstrations: This DHS document provides guidance and resources to prevent and mitigate the opportunity for unlawful acts during public demonstrations.
- Urban Fire Forum Civil Unrest White Paper: This 2016 joint IAFC-NFPA-Metro Chiefs document provides information about working with your community, developing unified command with law enforcement, force protection, and operations during periods of civil unrest.
- Urban Fire Forum Draft Standard Operating Procedure: This 2016 document provides a draft SOP to help fire and EMS departments respond to incidents of civil unrest.
- IAFC Terrorism Response – A Checklist and Guide for Fire Chiefs and Community Preparedness Leaders: This IAFC document provides a framework to help fire and EMS departments prepare for, respond to and recover from acts of terrorism and other large-scale incidents.
- IAFC Checklist for Active Shooter Response: This IAFC resource is a two-page document to help incident commanders when they arrive on scene at an active shooter incident.
- IAFC Active Shooter Toolkit: This members-only IAFC resource provides access to reports, briefings and other information to help fire and EMS departments prepare for active shooter incidents.
- IAFC Homeland Security Intelligence Guide for Fire Chiefs: This guide provides information to help fire and EMS chiefs contact federal, state and local homeland security and law enforcement partners to access information about threats to their community.
- CISA Fire as a Weapon Action Guide: This two-page document by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency provides information about potential indicators; what you should do in the case of an attack using fire as a weapon; and protective measures and mitigation strategies.
Stay safe.