Conference Rooms

[Burke 13]

Located in the Headquarters of the ERT building, there are 3 conference rooms. 

Conference 1 is the main conference room. With a table, as well as full multimedia equipment, this is the favored meeting area for larger groups, as well as county agencies. This is located on the second floor, across from the Liaison offices

Conference 2 is located on the second floor, and is a secondary meeting room, larger in floorspace, but less of a table, and more space for larger groups working together. This is located attached to the EOC. May be accessed through either the EOC or the main hallway.

Conference 3 is located attached to the Press Room. May be used for smaller press meetings, as well as preparation before Press briefings. Accessible via hallway or Press Room. 

[W. Burke]

*Sitting down for an uncomfortable meeting, I get ready to meet with the Chief of KVFR about response times, and how the ERT can support them. Joining me is the Fire liaison lt., as well as the Director of Logistics and MA Support. As the chief enters, he's clearly taking his title seriously. With what I can only assume is a full dress uniform, he comes in, full polished and still wearing his cover, bib almost completely gold. I look around the room and none of us are even wearing a uniform today, the closest official insignia any of us are wearing aside from badges and IDs, is the Director of LMAS's ERT polo.*

'Thank you for coming in, I'll cut right to it, we've been having trouble with radio communications, and response. We're concerned that if a major emergency were to happen, people will get hurt and we want to prevent that, as I'm sure you do too. I want to know how the ERT can work with the Kimberly VFR and make sure that we have good communication and that we can also support your responses when you're unable. We've got a large county with lots of resources that can be deployed if you're unable to roll.'

*That last comment seems to have struck a nerve, as his smile faded and he straightens up.*

'We are always ready to roll.'

'Absolutely, but let's maintain that line of communication in the event something does happen.' Lt. Hanson says.

'So my big 3, and I think we can all agree on them from our side at least, is that we want to ensure that if we receive a call, and it is assigned to KVFR, we can know right away whether or not a response is coming, as well as if you guys need other resources. My next big thing is that we have active communication when you guys are out. Our Comms division can bring anyone short of the Martians into the scene, but only if we know you need them. We need to know when you're responding, updates, all that stuff, so we can properly handle the calls. My last thing is, we need to work with the MA plan for the county. We've got the units, but we need to make sure all players know when to call for them, and how to call for them. Whether it's from low response for you guys, or just a large scene, we all need to be on the same page for calling for MA.'

'So chief, if I may, I just want to touch on the MA plan.' Director Adams says, as he hands the program to the chief, who reluctantly takes it. 'Instead of going over this, all I want to say is that we make sure that when you need it, we stick to this. And that we stick to this on figuring out when we need it.'

'Alright, I remember being here when this was written, and rewritten. Of course I know how to stick to it!' The chief responds.

Hason Pipes up, 'Of course we all know when Clinton was at a call and your crew showed up after. That was a communication break down. We didn't know you were coming and luckily it was only a small alarm, but if it was larger, that could've taxed unnecessary resources away from another town that needed them. God forbid something were to happen...' 

The chief looks uncomfortable, not for being called out for his department's failures, but from trying to keep calm. We continue to go through the call points, discussing each major issue that's arisen, and what we expect to see happen. It's uncomfortable, but hopefully will bring a resolution.

 

 

[W. Burke]

*Walking into the conference room upstairs, I get the notes ready. I'm excited for the new initiative we'll be taking on with the county police, and can't wait to discuss with some of the agency reps across the county. As I will know most, if not all, but they mightn't know each other, I take a quick look around at all the different nametags on the table, each with the person's name, rank and their agency. I see a representative for most of the local police, and of course a couple ERT nametags, and lastly, one from Shiloh County Health, who will really be taking the lead on this presentation.*

'Hi Zach, how's it going?' I say to Capt Russo as he enters the room, only briefly aware of what's happening, I'm sure.

[Z. Russo]

*After parking my car in the ERT garage and using my ID to buzz myself into the conference room. Since I heard its going to be hot today I decided to forgoe the full class A uniform instead going with a short sleeve class b uniform.The commissioner greets me*

'Will, I'm not to bad. How about yourself?'

*Before he continues.*

'This isnt an elaborate way to fire me is it?'

*I say with a laugh*

[W. Burke]

'You only wish. No, we got an EPA grant, green vehicles for everyone. Actually, no, they're going to be yellow. Bulk buy and all that. Think of the visibility though. You ever see the Nissan Leaf?'

*I pause for a second, watching the man go from jovial to nervous.*

'Actually, no I wanted to discuss the new initiative we're taking on with county health. Each department here today is going to be taking part, by order of their chief officers, in a mental health crisis response team. We're here to discuss how that looks. Lots of departments have different task forces in place, and they all look different, but we're here to figure out exactly what ours will be. 

'A few things are already confirmed so far. Each car will be an officer, with a county health mental crisis member, whether it's a nurse, or a counsellor, that's up to County's scheduling. The goal here is to decrease police response to mental health issues that are not criminal in nature. Police are handling more calls that are mental health related more than ever. It's falling to them, but they're not equipped. This will change. Our MHCRT will self assign based on calls they can provide assistance at, as well as be dispatched through ERT. They'll be cross jurisdictional, meaning all agencies participating will be across the county. You might see a Crescent Falls cop in downtown Fort Shannon, depending on how resources are spread at that time. The goal will be de-escalation and intervention, not arrests, not a record.

'A couple of the things we need to figure out though, what are these response teams going to look like? San Jose's team is literally two cops, plain clothes in an unmarked minivan. They don't show weapons, don't show police ID unless needed. Just two guys helping out. The other end is teams like Up North, in Toronto, where they drive marked police cars, prisoner partitions and the cop is fully uniformed, in what I guess you'd call Class C or D in Sheriff, and the nurse is basically dressed the same. What I want to figure out here today, is how do we present our teams, not only for uniformity across the county, but as a presence as well.'

[Z. Russo]

*Burke makes a joke about a yellow Nissan, 7th time this month. I take a seat.*

A couple of the things we need to figure out though, what are these response teams going to look like? San Jose's team is literally two cops, plain clothes in an unmarked minivan. They don't show weapons, don't show police ID unless needed. Just two guys helping out. The other end is teams like Up North, in Toronto, where they drive marked police cars, prisoner partitions and the cop is fully uniformed, in what I guess you'd call Class C or D in Sheriff, and the nurse is basically dressed the same. What I want to figure out here today, is how do we present our teams, not only for uniformity across the county, but as a presence as well.'

'Given the public perception about Law enforcement today I feel the plain clothes look would be most beneficial, In my opinion I think the route to go is Department or county polos something professional but not overly confrontational and that can hide a gun. In addition we do have some vehicles that don't come off as police vehicles in the detective fleet.'

[W. Burke]

'Given how often I'd expect these units out, looking at the call reports, they're going to need a fleet of new vehicles. The ERT, as well as County Health are going to share the purchase price. I agree, non patrol looking vehicles, perhaps something like a soccer mom SUV would fit the bill. As for professional dress standards, I don't know even if that is necessary. Plain clothes, maybe even relaxed wear would be fine.'

*Others in the room speak up, sharing similar ideas as Russo's, debating over the requirement for relaxed.*

'Clearly, no one wants professionals in sweat pants showing up, but jeans doesn't seem like an issue. Hide all badges and weapons, and let's make them indistinguishable. If there's a vest worn, under shirt only. I don't want this to look like a police intervention.'

[Z. Russo]

'Clearly, no one wants professionals in sweat pants showing up, but jeans doesn't seem like an issue. Hide all badges and weapons, and let's make them indistinguishable. If there's a vest worn, under shirt only. I don't want this to look like a police intervention.'

 

'I feel a polo and jeans or khakis would be suitable along with the civilian car, As for weapons I think we can get away with a compact pistol and a concealed vest' 

[W. Burke]

'I know you guys spend all day looking at vests and guns, but for me, I've been out of it for a few years. A gun is obvious and so is a vest, underneath or not. Unless we're going with bigger shirts or layers, it'll be obvious. As far as safety is concerned, if there's a firearm risk, absolutely, let's do vests, but I think other than that, it should be to the discretion of the officers, with scene safety in mind. If we're talking down a jumper, a vest isn't needed. Definitely agree with concealed firearms though. I don't want a visible weapon, at all. I want to look at them and see no weapons, not even handcuffs. Cops are intimidating, and that fact alone needs to be mitigated before we can hope to help in these situations. We can't intimidate someone off the edge. Or at least, we're being told we can't'

*My bad joke lands a chuckle or two.*

[Z. Russo]

'I know you guys spend all day looking at vests and guns, but for me, I've been out of it for a few years. A gun is obvious and so is a vest, underneath or not. Unless we're going with bigger shirts or layers, it'll be obvious. As far as safety is concerned, if there's a firearm risk, absolutely, let's do vests, but I think other than that, it should be to the discretion of the officers, with scene safety in mind. If we're talking down a jumper, a vest isn't needed. Definitely agree with concealed firearms though. I don't want a visible weapon, at all. I want to look at them and see no weapons, not even handcuffs. Cops are intimidating, and that fact alone needs to be mitigated before we can hope to help in these situations. We can't intimidate someone off the edge. Or at least, we're being told we can'

*I force a chuckle because Burke signs my check*

'Concealed equipment is no problem, My detectives have been doing that for years. Compact handguns, cuffs in the back pocket vests as needed. Whats the timeframe for rolling this unit out'

[W. Burke]

'Trucks are on order, since we're going unmarked, they're going to be ready within the week, hoping to have them on the street within the month. That means we'll need nominations for the cops within the same time frame. County Health will have final say, but they need clean records, I don't want any bad apples, and I want them all to be friendly, good records, and no goons. This is about brains, not brawn, and they need to be willing to take orders from someone who isn't a cop. The majority of these cases are going to end as health, not justice, so don't have your people take offense when the county health person tells them what to do.'

[W. Burke]

*I wanted just a couple days away. That's it. A little break. And then Selkirk. I've called brass from every county agency and informed them of our plan. The fire departments and medics don't go to a single suspicious call without police. FBI is crawling up my ass, and now it's time to coordinate the police response.*

 

'Alright, thank you for joining me today. I'm sure everyone knows Captain Russo? He's going to be the operational commander for the sheriff this evening. He's agreed to mobilize to support your agencies, but we need to figure out what that looks like. What do you all have and what do you need?

[Z. Russo]

*Burke introduces me, I finish my text to my wife telling her and the kids to stay in tonight. Shiloh would be a logical destination for the terrorists to escape the country given the access to the border and how the wooded the county is wooded, lots of places to hide and ways to get over to canada without being noticed. I look up at the group.*

'As of the last official statement from the FBI is that there still investigating and have no leads as of now. We have reason to believe it wasn't a suicide bombing and there may be an individual or group attempting to evade capture and we do have to consider Shiloh may be a destination or waypoint of this group. I've called in overtime personnelle and have declared an all out where administrative officers are in uniform on patrol.'

'What about the blue flu in kimberley!? My brother is a cop there and he said there about to strike!'

*One of the guys from SCCC Campus safety yells out*

'My department is aware of that and to ensure there's no gap in police coverage the sheriff's department has sent out units assigned to kimberley until this is resolved. The Kimberly Police union only covers the officers and they have supervisors supplementing my units on patrol. I have been in touch with all other police departments with the county offering the same services as needed. Additionally the ERT communications division is monitoring countywide law enforcement and is distributing sheriff's units as needed to ensure there's no backlog of calls.'

*Campus safety guy looks satisfied*

'Also I cannot stress this enough. If anything looks or feels off call 911. Let us know'

[W. Burke]

'With that, we'll have an increased presence of Sheriff's deputies throughout the county, as well as within each municipality. As we all know, the county's tactical response plan includes the sheriff as primary tactical response, so all members, if necessary are either on shift, or on standby, with a mandatory report time of 15 minutes. I've been working with the Chief Deputy for Operations and we've loaned out several ERT staff cars to ensure the ability for officers to respond to the station or a potential scene code 3.'

*Deputy Chief Jackson of the Essex Police steps up*

'We've got all of our units on the road right now, and have some spares lent to Delmore as well, who I believe have also called in their overtime units as well. We're going to supplement visibility patrols where we can, but at the end of the day, we're relying solely on Sheriff SWAT. How many trucks you got?'

*Before Zach can answer I chime in.*

'Enough. At the end of the day, none of us are expecting warfare. We need units to get officers to the site, and we've got armoured rigs which can supplement response. You should know, the officers and their gear is more important than the bearcat. And at the end of the day, we've got a huge swath of land. Even on a code 3 response, with escort, an armoured truck going from Fort Shannon to Kimberley is well over an hour. I believe we are stationing them more centrally, but that still takes time. Captain Russo, can you confirm that you will be centralizing SWAT response? 

[Z. Russo]

'Yes for the duration of the incident the county wide SWAT team will be using our facility at the delmore airport. In addition we have called in overtime for our airport detail so they could provide an escort for any sort of SWAT response. In addition we have set up temporary living quarters for deputies outside the 15 minute radius of the airport so if they're activated it will ensure a quicker response time'