Emergency Response Team
Encyclopedia
The Emergency Response Team (ERT) is the paramilitary
tactical
police
arm of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
.
in 1993 to provide tactical response within Canada
. The ERT is called in to deal with situations that are beyond the abilities of regular police personnel. Situations they are called in to deal with include:
The ERT dates back to 1976; prior to this, a Hostage and Rescue Patrol (HARP) team was called in to deal with like situations, though its duties mainly ended at the containment of the incident.
In order to apply to be an ERT member, the potential candidate must meet the following criteria:
1. Have a minimum of two (2) years of operational policing experience;
2. Attained a minimum score of 225 in his / her most recent PPC qualification;
3. Must be in good physical condition.
Prior to attending the ERT course, the applicant must undergo a standardized selection process with the ERT in his / her area which includes shooting and physical testing. The candidate will receive familiarization training on the MP5 and M16 firearms, in addition to additional pistol training. The current minimum physical standard is the following:
This physical standard was replaced with a timed obstacle course effective April 1, 2009.
A psychological evaluation must also be completed before a member can attend the ERT course. Some of the requirements in this regard include not having phobias of water, heights or confined spaces.
/observer is especially skilled in field craft and marksmanship who will keep watch over the situation and neutralize a selected suspect with a single aimed rifle shot. In addition to assault skills, they learn:
, and Protective Services. ERTs also assist Government of Canada
departments, such as Canada Border Services Agency
, and join forces and share resources with other Canadian law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime.
, the Correctional Service of Canada
, the Vancouver Police Department
, among others. The Greater Vancouver area in British Columbia, Canada, employs a Municipal Integrated Emergency Response Team
. Both Nishnawbe Aski Police Service and Treaty Three Police Service are developing their own Emergency Response Teams.
Paramilitary
A paramilitary is a force whose function and organization are similar to those of a professional military, but which is not considered part of a state's formal armed forces....
tactical
Military tactics
Military tactics, the science and art of organizing an army or an air force, are the techniques for using weapons or military units in combination for engaging and defeating an enemy in battle. Changes in philosophy and technology over time have been reflected in changes to military tactics. In...
police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
arm of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
.
Purpose and history of the ERT
The ERT assumed the tactical role held by the disbanded Special Emergency Response TeamSpecial Emergency Response Team
The Special Emergency Response Team was the RCMP counter-terrorism unit which existed until 1993. Its duties were then taken by the Canadian Forces in the form of Joint Task Force Two....
in 1993 to provide tactical response within Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The ERT is called in to deal with situations that are beyond the abilities of regular police personnel. Situations they are called in to deal with include:
- Serious Crime arrest warrants
- Hostage rescue
- Armed barricaded subjects
- Protective duties
The ERT dates back to 1976; prior to this, a Hostage and Rescue Patrol (HARP) team was called in to deal with like situations, though its duties mainly ended at the containment of the incident.
In order to apply to be an ERT member, the potential candidate must meet the following criteria:
1. Have a minimum of two (2) years of operational policing experience;
2. Attained a minimum score of 225 in his / her most recent PPC qualification;
3. Must be in good physical condition.
Prior to attending the ERT course, the applicant must undergo a standardized selection process with the ERT in his / her area which includes shooting and physical testing. The candidate will receive familiarization training on the MP5 and M16 firearms, in addition to additional pistol training. The current minimum physical standard is the following:
- 1.5 mile run in under 11 minutes;
- 40 consecutive and uninterrupted pushups;
- 40 sit-ups in one minute;
- 5 wide-grip lat pull-ups;
- Bench press 135 lbs.
This physical standard was replaced with a timed obstacle course effective April 1, 2009.
A psychological evaluation must also be completed before a member can attend the ERT course. Some of the requirements in this regard include not having phobias of water, heights or confined spaces.
Equipment
- SIG-Sauer P226 handgun
Switzerland - Smith & Wesson 5946 handgun
- Heckler & Koch MP5Heckler & Koch MP5The Heckler & Koch MP5 is a 9mm submachine gun of German design, developed in the 1960s by a team of engineers from the German small arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH of Oberndorf am Neckar....
submachine gun - Colt Canada C8 carbine
- Remington 700Remington 700The Model 700 series of firearms are bolt-action rifles manufactured by Remington Arms since 1962. All are based on the same centerfire bolt action. They often come with a 3, 4 or 5-round internal magazine depending on caliber, some of which have a floor-plate for quick-unloading, and some of which...
sniper rifle - Remington 870Remington 870The Remington Model 870 is a U.S.-made pump-action shotgun manufactured by Remington Arms Company, Inc. It is widely used by the public for sport shooting, hunting, and self-defense. It is also commonly used by law enforcement and military organizations worldwide.-Development:The Remington 870 was...
shotgun
Assaulter
Assaulters are the general members of the team. They must be trained to use handguns, submachine guns, and rifles. They also learn- Close-quarter shooting
- Use of specialized breaching tools
- Diversion devices
- Explosive entry tactics
- Aircraft and tubular assault
- High-risk vehicle assault, dynamic and stealth
- Building assault
- High-risk operational planning: immediate action, stronghold, open-air, ambush
- Bush training
- Camouflage
- Stealth movement
- Dynamic entry
- Chemical weapons
- Communications
Sniper/Observer
One of the more specialized roles, a sniperSniper
A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
/observer is especially skilled in field craft and marksmanship who will keep watch over the situation and neutralize a selected suspect with a single aimed rifle shot. In addition to assault skills, they learn:
- Weapon safety
- Ballistics: weight, velocity, energy, trajectory
- Marksmanship: positioning, holding, pointing, aligning
- Position: prone, sitting, kneeling, standing,
- Weather / light conditions: sub-zero, snow, rain, wind, fog, cloud, heat, dawn, day, dusk, darkness
- Cover and concealment, movement without detection
- Target indication: arc and field of fire
- Distance judgment
- Image intensifiers
- Map and compass
- Communications
Helicopter Rappel Master
The ERT Rappel Master acts as the communication link between the flight crew and operational units aboard the aircraft and on the ground. The rappel master is responsible for the safe, swift, and efficient deployment of the assault group using signals to direct movement. In addition to Assaulter Training, they learn:- Ropecraft
- Rappel anchor system
- Fastrope
- Telecommunications
- Equipment assembly and installation
- Tactical deployment methods
ERT Joint Operations
Depending on the circumstances, ERTs work as a separate unit or in cooperation with other RCMP special operations units including Tactical Troops, Proceeds of Crime, Drug Enforcement, Police Dog Service TeamsPolice dog
A police dog, often referred to as a "K-9 dog" in some areas , is a dog that is trained specifically to assist police and other law-enforcement personnel in their work...
, and Protective Services. ERTs also assist Government of Canada
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
departments, such as Canada Border Services Agency
Canada Border Services Agency
The Canada Border Services Agency is a federal law enforcement agency that is responsible for border enforcement, immigration enforcement and customs services....
, and join forces and share resources with other Canadian law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime.
Other Agencies' ERT
Several other law enforcement agencies employ tactical teams known as an ERT. Examples are the Ontario Provincial PoliceOntario Provincial Police
The Ontario Provincial Police is the Provincial Police service for the province of Ontario, Canada.-Overview:The OPP is the the largest deployed police force in Ontario, and the second largest in Canada. The service is responsible for providing policing services throughout the province in areas...
, the Correctional Service of Canada
Correctional Service of Canada
The Correctional Service of Canada , or CSC, is the Canadian federal government agency responsible for the incarceration and rehabilitation of convicted criminal offenders sentenced to two years or more...
, the Vancouver Police Department
Vancouver Police Department
The Vancouver Police Department is the police force for the City of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several police departments within the Metro Vancouver Area and is the second largest police force in the province after RCMP "E" Division.VPD was the first Canadian police force...
, among others. The Greater Vancouver area in British Columbia, Canada, employs a Municipal Integrated Emergency Response Team
Municipal Integrated Emergency Response Team
The Municipal Integrated Emergency Response Team, or MIERT, is an emergency response unit formed as a joint venture of police agencies in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. It was formed in 2006 and is composed of members of the Delta Police Department, the Abbotsford Police Department, the...
. Both Nishnawbe Aski Police Service and Treaty Three Police Service are developing their own Emergency Response Teams.
See also
- SWATSWATA SWAT team is an elite tactical unit in various national law enforcement departments. They are trained to perform high-risk operations that fall outside of the abilities of regular officers...
- Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceRoyal Canadian Mounted PoliceThe Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
- Emergency managementEmergency managementEmergency management is the generic name of an interdisciplinary field dealing with the strategic organizational management processes used to protect critical assets of an organization from hazard risks that can cause events like disasters or catastrophes and to ensure the continuance of the...
- Emergency Task ForceEmergency Task ForceThe Emergency Task Force ' is the tactical unit of the Toronto Police Service . It is mandated to deal with high risk situations like hostage taking, emotionally disturbed persons, high risk arrests, warrant service and protection details. The unit was created in 1965, and inspired the television...
, Toronto Police ServiceToronto Police ServiceThe Toronto Police Service , formerly the Metropolitan Toronto Police, is the police service for the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the largest municipal police service in Canada and second largest police force in Canada after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police...
- Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2)Joint Task Force 2Joint Task Force 2 is an elite Special Operations Force of the Canadian Armed Forces primarily tasked with counter-terrorism operations...
- GSG 9GSG 9The GSG 9 der Bundespolizei , is the elite counter-terrorism and special operations unit of the German Federal Police.-History and name:...
- CO19