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Emergency Access Control and the First Responder

NCJ Number
227998
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 36 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2009 Pages: 60,62,63
Author(s)
Pete Sutsos
Date Published
June 2009
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article examines emergency access control for the first responders.
Abstract
Typically fire departments have been responsible for mandating the type and kind of emergency access control systems used in a city or county. The fire department mandates do not necessarily support the law enforcement's first responder priorities. The first responder must determine the best point of entry as well as the most efficient means of making an entry; this makes advance communication with the agency most responsible for specifying the overlap emergency access control system mandatory. The law enforcement community is acutely aware that in order to save lives and minimize harm, there is a significant need to be able to access gates and buildings quickly and safely. Providing a comprehensive overlay emergency access control system will give law enforcement first responders a tactical advantage in an active shooter scenario. It is extremely important for all agencies to keep the line of communication open with local fire agencies in order to help them become aware of the critically different needs of a law enforcement first responder as compared to that of a fire/EMS responder.