ID
6-508-1245
Name
Special Weapons and Tactics Team
Status
Published
Version
1.4
Updated
11/22/2019 3:54:16 PM
Original Release
06/19/2018
Last Major Release
11/22/2019
Description
The Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team provides increased law enforcement capabilities using specially trained and equipped tactical officers to prevent or respond to high-risk emergency incidents
Resource Category
Law Enforcement Operations
Primary Core Capability
On-scene Security, Protection and Law Enforcement
Secondary Core Capability
 
Resource Kind
Team
Overall Function
The SWAT Team responds to: 1. High-risk warrant service and apprehensions 2. Active shooter or active threat situations 3. Barricaded situations 4. Hostage rescue operations 5. Terrorism threats 6. VIP protection needs 7. Special event perimeter control needs (high-risk security operations) 8. Sniper and counter-sniper operations
Composition and Ordering Specifications
1. Discuss logistics for deploying this team, such as working conditions, length of deployment, security, lodging, transportation, and meals, prior to deployment 2. Discuss the need for additional operational support teams, including a Crisis Negotiation Team, Bomb Response Team, Hazardous Materials Response Team, and canine or aviation unit 3. Requestor specifies need for hazardous materials response capabilities 4. Discuss the need for specialized capabilities, including breaching and surveillance capabilities, that are unique to the mission, as not all teams offer every capability 5. Requestor may order Tactical Medics, Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) teams, K-9 teams, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Teams, logistics specialists, and intelligence specialists to augment this team 6. Discuss arrangements related to arrest authority, such as deputation, before deployment 7. Requestor and provider discuss communications system requirements such as 800 MHz requirements or need for secure channels 8. Discuss use of munitions, non-lethal chemical agents, and less-lethal munitions
Supporting Core Capabilities
None
Components
Component Notes  
MINIMUM PERSONNEL PER TEAMNot Specified
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 126
Type 219
Type 315
MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT PERSONNEL PER TEAM1. All types include an advance team that remains as a component of this team. 2. All types train together prior to deployment.
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: 1 – National Incident Management System (NIMS) Type 1 SWAT Team Leader
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: Same as Type 3
Type 31 – NIMS Type 1 SWAT Team Commander 2 – NIMS Type 1 SWAT Team Leader
SUPPORT PERSONNEL PER TEAM1. Tactical support may include specialties such as breacher, sniper, observer, and grenadier. 2. Teams can include Tactical Medics, TEMS teams, logistics specialists, and intelligence specialists.
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: 6 – NIMS Type 1 SWAT Team Officer
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: 4 – NIMS Type 1 SWAT Team Officer
Type 312 – NIMS Type 1 SWAT Team Officer
Weapons Systems Equipment Per TeamNot Specified
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Department and Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) approved weapons, which may include: 1. Duty weapons 2. Specialty weapons 3. Ammunition 4. Less-lethal weapons
Tactical Tools Equipment Per TeamNot Specified
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: 1. Munitions and non-lethal chemical agent delivery system 2. Munitions and non-lethal chemical agents
Type 3Tactical gear is mission specific and may include: 1. Breaching shotguns 2. Battering ram 3. Breaching equipment 4. Flash-bang distraction and diversionary devices 5. Night-vision tools 6. Ballistic shield 7. Surveillance equipment
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Equipment Per Team MemberThe following regulation addresses PPE: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.132: Personal Protective Equipment.
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3PPE is mission specific and may include: 1. Level 3 body armor with ballistic plates 2. Helmet 3. Hood (fire-resistant) 4. Eye protection 5. Gloves 6. Knee pads 7. Full-face air purifying respirator (APR) 8. Tactical medical supplies, including tourniquets and clotting bandages
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT PER TEAMNot Specified
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: 7– Short-range, two-way portable radio 7 – Cell phone
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: 4 – Short-range, two-way portable radio 4 – Cell phone 1 – Satellite phone
Type 315 – Short-range, two-way portable radio 15 – Cell phone
TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT PER TEAMDepartment assigned vehicles may include patrol cars, unmarked police cars, sport utility vehicles, and other vehicles.
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Department assigned vehicles
765
Notes
References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 508: Bomb Response Team
FEMA, NIMS 508: Crisis Negotiation Team
FEMA, NIMS 508: Hazardous Materials Response Team
FEMA, NIMS 509: Special Weapons and Tactics Team Commander
FEMA, NIMS 509: Special Weapons and Tactics Team Leader
FEMA, NIMS 509: Special Weapons and Tactics Team Officer
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.120: Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, latest edition adopted
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.132: Personal Protective Equipment, latest edition adopted
National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA), Tactical Response and Operations Standards for Law Enforcement Agencies, September 2015
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Guidance on Emergency Responder Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Response to CBRN Terrorism Incidents, Publication Number 2008-132
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), NFPA-472: Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents, latest edition adopted