Policy Text
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MJ/RCCC
OPERATIONS ORDER
Critical Incident Response Plan
The purpose of this Order is to outline standard procedures in the event of a critical
incident that occurs at the Main Jail and/or the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center
(RCCC).
I. Policy
In the event of a critical incident, custody staff will take me asures to ensure the security
of the facility and the safety of staff, visitors, and prisoner s. The division commander
may temporarily suspend any Title 15 standard or requirement. Only such regulations
directly affected by the emergency may be suspended. The divis ion commander shall
notify the Corrections Standards A uthority in writing in the ev ent that such a suspension
lasts longer than three days. In no event shall such a suspens ion continue more than
15 days without the approval of t he chairperson of the Board of Correction for a time
specified by him/her.
II. Critical Incidents
A. Critical Incidents may incl ude, but are not limited to:
1. Escapes (3/01) 2. Explosions (3/14) 3. Riots and Hostage Situations (3/09) 4. Natural Disasters (floods, earthquakes, etc.) and sustained loss of
utilities (electricity , water, etc.) (3/11)
5. Fire (3/03)
B. Supervisors may alter the Major Incident Response Plan to fi t the
circumstances.
C. In a major Critical Inci dent the National Incident Managemen t System
(“NIMS”) may be utilized.
1. The NIMS system provides a cons istent nationwide template to
enable all government, private- sector, and nongovernmental
organizations to work together during domestic incidents.
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MJ/RCCC D. Staff will attempt to return the facility to full operation as promptly as
possible.
III. Initial Response
A. Any custody staff discovering a critical incident shall imme diately notify
Central Control at the Main Jail or Booking Control at RCCC with the
following information:
1. The location, type of event o r emergency, need for additiona l
personnel or resources, number of involved prisoners and any weapons, number of hostages and their identities, and if the affected area is secured.
B. Custody staff in affected areas shall institute lockdown pro cedures, cancel
any scheduled events, and attemp t to secure the floor if possib le.
1. If other areas are or will be affected, a supervisor shall d etermine if
additional lockdowns are necessary.
C. Responding custody staff sha ll use caution when approaching the affected
area. If the area is not rendered safe enough for entry, the n ecessary
resources will be assembled befor e a tactical entry is made.
D. If necessary, a supervisor may summon the Custody Emergency
Response Team (CERT) and any available staff to a pre-designate d area
for reassignment.
1. CERT Team members or available officers shall not respond to the
designated area until requested a nd will not leave their work s tation
without adequate relief.
2. One officer shall remain in any area where prisoners are hou sed or
held.
E. If a Housing Unit Control R oom is threatened with takeover, deactivation
and evacuation procedures shall be implemented.
IV. The Inner Perimeter
A. Critical incidents may require an inner perimeter be establi shed to contain
the incident. The purpose of the inner perimeter is to isolate and contain
the disturbance in the smallest area possible. Staff immediate ly on scene
shall begin setting this perimeter.
B. It is essential that the inner perimeter be established imme diately, and
continues until the dist urbance is resolved.
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MJ/RCCC V. The Outer Perimeter
A. The purpose of the outer perimeter is to isolate the critica l incident and to
prevent unauthorized personnel fro m inadvertently entering the
disturbance area.
B. The outer perimeter is the first priority after establishing the inner
perimeter.
C. A supervisor will insure that the outer perimeter is establi shed, if the
critical incident is not immediately resolved.
VI. Command Post
A. In incidents that cannot be immediately resolved and/or inci dents that will
significantly affect facility oper ations, a Command Post will b e necessary.
B. The Command Post shall be established a safe distance away a nd out of
sight from the area of the Critical Incident.
C. At a supervisors direction a Command Post shall be establish ed. The first
person on scene shall be deemed the Incident Commander and will
remain the incident commander until relieved by a sergeant or w atch
commander.
1. The watch commander will become the Incident Commander upon
arrival.
D. The Incident Commander is res ponsible for assigning staff to the following
duties:
1. Tactical Sergeant/Officer 2. Logistics Sergeant/Officer 3. Communications operator. 4. An activity recorder (Scribe).
5. A media information officer.
6. Special Team C oordinator (CINT, SED, fire, etc.)
7. Other duties as necessary.
E. Appendices 12-Z through 12-AF p rovide an outline of responsi bilities for
Major Incidents.
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