Loudoun County High Threat Team

About the Program

Category: Risk and Emergency Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2022

The Loudoun County High Threat Team exemplifies innovation in the promotion of intergovernmental cooperation and coordination in addressing acts of violence (AVI). Consisting of uniformed members of the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System (LC-CFRS) and the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), this team fosters cooperation and coordination at all levels to improve response to day-to-day emergencies and AVIs. The Loudoun County High Threat Team developed innovative programs of integrated training, policy development, and combined response initiatives. These include new employee integrated tactical emergency casualty care training (TECC) and rescue task force (RTF) training, Police 101 and Fire 101 training, Act of Violence Unified Command Competency Lab Training, standardized “warm zone terminology” across agencies, and full-scale exercises. The team focused on building cooperation at all agency levels and building relationships. Acts of violence are complex incidents which require a multi-agency response. The time to build cooperation and an effective response is not on “game day”, but in training, discussions, and mutual respect long before an incident. The Loudoun County High Threat Team is a model of fire and law enforcement cooperation, not just for the active shooter incident, but for all incidents handled together.