Policy Text
Policy
704Fremont Police Department
Armored Rescue Vehicle (ARV) - Lenco Bearcat/
MedEvac
704.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose and scope of this policy is to set guidelines for the proper use, training, care and
storage of the Fremont Police Department’s Lenco Bearcat and the Lenco MedEvac armored
rescue vehicles. In this policy, these vehicles will be referred to as Armored Rescue Vehicle (ARV),
Bearcat or MedEvac.
The Bearcat is a Bay Area regional asset and was acquired with financial assistance from the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) program.
The intent of the federal UASI program has been to enhance regional preparedness in major
urban areas by assisting with supplemental funding to build and sustain capabilities in support of
the National Preparedness Guidelines. The vehicle is designed to meet the tactical needs of law
enforcement agencies tasked with responding to acts of violence and/or terrorism. The purpose
is to enhance law enforcement’s ability to serve and protect the community.
The MedEvac is a Bay Area regional asset and was acquired through a joint cooperative effort
between the Fremont Police Department and the San Leandro Police Department with financial
assistance from Cal OES Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Homeland Security Grant
Program). The purpose and intent of the acquisition and deployment of this vehicle is to enhance
and sustain regional preparedness for first responders in major urban areas by allowing for
delivery of emergency medical services into on-going hazardous situations. This will allow law
enforcement, fire service staff, and medical personnel the ability to safely enter unsecured and
unstable areas (warm or hot zone). This vehicle will assist with providing immediate medical
assistance, enhancing the ability of first responders to rescue persons in need and help protect
first responders at the scene of an emergency situation.
The City of Fremont Police Department shares responsibility for the MedEvac with the City of
San Leandro Police Department. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been established
between the two agencies. The MOU outlines deployment responsibilities, ongoing maintenance
and repair obligations, notification procedures and conflict resolution options. Both agencies jointly
and separately agreed to abide by the terms and provisions of the MOU and respective department
policies during the existence of the MOU. (See Appendix A for a copy of the MOU).
704.2 USE OF THE LENCO BEARCAT/MEDEVAC
The use of an Armored Rescue Vehicle (ARV) is generally to enhance the safety of citizens and
officers. The ARV should be deployed in situations where its use would enhance the tactical
advantage of officers, aid in the rescue of injured persons, protect life and property, or improve the
likelihood that an incident would be resolved without the use of deadly force or other force options.
The Bearcat is primarily used for Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) incidents, safe
transport of SWAT personnel to and from critical incidents, high risk warrant service operations,
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Published with permission by Fremont Police DepartmentArmored Rescue Vehicle (ARV) - Lenco
Bearcat/MedEvac - 1
Fremont Police Department
Armored Rescue Vehicle (ARV) - Lenco Bearcat/MedEvac
dangerous high risk tactical operations, high risk rescue operations, training, community
engagement efforts and any other applications deemed appropriate and approved by the SWAT
Commander, Division Commander, Deputy Chief, or Chief of Police.
The MedEvac is primarily used by the Tactical Emergency Medicine (TEMS) component of the
Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) to provide emergency medical staff, equipment,
and other rescue capabilities during high-risk operations. The MedEvac may also be utilizedin
a manner consistent with authorized use of the Bearcat. The MedEvac may be used in other
situations deemed appropriate and approved by the SWAT Commander, Division Commander,
Deputy Chief, or Chief of Police.
704.3 DEPLOYMENT
An ARV will only be deployed in a manner consistent with the guidelines in this policy. Approval
to deploy an ARV will be the responsibility of the SWAT Commander or his/her designee. A
Watch Commander or Sergeant may authorize the deployment of an ARV if there is an immediate
need to prevent loss of life or great bodily injury. Upon deployment, the Watch Commander or
Sergeant shall notify the SWAT Commander as soon as practical. In most cases where the Watch
Commander or Sergeant authorized the deployment of an ARV, the SWAT Commander will call-
out two (2) SWAT Tactical Operators to relieve the patrol officers in charge of the ARV at the
scene of an ARV deployment.
Nothing in this policy is meant to preclude the immediate deployment of the ARV to perform an
officer or citizen rescue, to save lives that are in immediate danger of great bodily injury or death
or to deliver the ARV to the scene of a callout.
The Division Commander should be notified of all deployments of the Bearcat and MedEvac as
soon as possible after a deployment.
704.3.1 TACTICAL OPERATIONS, INVESTIGATIONS, AND ENFORCEMENT
Deployment of an ARV should be considered in the following circumstances;
•During incidents involving violent felonies;
•Responding to persons with a history of extreme violence involving firearms,
explosives or other dangerous weapons;
•When information is present that the suspect has used, intends to use or is likely to
use extreme violence against citizens or law enforcement personnel; and
•At a scene of an incident where a suspected