U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Resource: SWAT/Tactical Teams
Category: Law Enforcement/Security
Kind: Team
Minimum Capabilities (Component) Minimum Capabilities
(Metric)		 Type I Type II Type III Type IV Other
Equipment Protective Clothing

Protective Clothing;
Tactical Body Armor (helmet with ballistic shield; Fire resistant gloves & hood)

Protective Clothing;
Tactical Body Armor (helmet with ballistic shield; Fire resistant gloves & hood)

Protective Clothing;
Tactical Body Armor (helmet with ballistic shield; Fire resistant gloves & hood)

 

  
  Communication

Team Radio Communication Equipment (portable radios, extra batteries, battery charger, cellular phones) pharmaoffshore.com

Team Radio Communication Equipment (portable radios, extra batteries, battery charger, cellular phones)

Team Radio Communication Equipment (portable radios, extra batteries, battery charger, cellular phones)

 

  
   

Night Vision Goggles for entry and containment

 

 

 

  
   

2 Night Vision Scopes

2 Night Vision Scopes

 

 

  
  Ballistic Protection

Soft and Tactical Body Armor for all team members

Soft and Tactical Body Armor for all team members

Soft and Tactical Body Armor for all team members

 

  
  Respiratory Protection

NIOSH-approved protective mask

NIOSH-approved protective mask

NIOSH-approved protective mask

 

  
   

14 SCBAs

SCBAs recommended

 

 

  
  Safety Equipment

Safety glasses; Ear protection

Safety glasses; Ear protection

Safety glasses; Ear protection

 

  
  Chemical Protective Clothing

Level B and C PPE Suits for entire team

Level B and C PPE Suits for entire team

Level C PPE Suits for entire team

 

  
  Breaching Equipment

Mechanical Breaching Equipment

Mechanical Breaching Equipment

Mechanical Breaching Equipment

 

  
   

Shotgun Breaching Equipment

Shotgun Breaching Equipment

Shotgun Breaching Equipment (Recommended)

 

  
   

Explosive Breaching Equipment

Explosive Breaching Equipment

 

 

  
  Sniper Equipment

Extended long-range weapons greater than 500 yards with day and night scope

Long-range weapons less than 500 yards with day and night scope

Long-range weapons less than 500 yards with day scope

 

  
   

Chemical Agents and delivery system

Chemical Agents and delivery system

Chemical Agents and delivery system

 

  
   

Less lethal munitions and delivery systems

Less lethal munitions and delivery systems

Less lethal munitions and delivery systems

 

  
  Robot Systems

Robot System with tactical options

Robot System with tactical options recommended

 

 

  
  Safety Equipment

Foul Weather Gear

Foul Weather Gear

Foul Weather Gear

 

  
   

Personal Hydration System

Personal Hydration System

Personal Hydration System

 

  
  Surveillance Equipment

Listening equipment; Video equipment; Fiber optics

Listening equipment; Video equipment

 

 

  
   

Transmitting equipment that will include wireless and hardline

 

 

 

  
   

IR Capability

 

 

 

  
   

Portable Ladders

Portable Ladders

Portable Ladders

 

  
  Weapons

Weapons: Handguns, assault weapons

Weapons: Handguns, assault weapons

Weapons: Handguns, assault weapons

 

  
   

Lighted Weapon System

Lighted Weapon System

Lighted Weapon System

 

  
   

Distraction Devices

Distraction Devices

Distraction Devices

 

  
   

Rappelling & Fast Rope Equipment

Rappelling Equipment

 

 

  
   

Hand-Held Ballistic Shields

Hand-Held Ballistic Shields

Hand-Held Ballistic Shields

 

  
Personnel  

2 Long Rifle Teams (2-man Team);
6 Man Entry Team;
1 Team Leader;
8 Containment to include grenadiers;
2 Tactical Medics;
1 Liaison;
1 Tactical Commander;
2 Canine Teams;
1 Electronic Tech;
1 Scribe;
1 Communications Officer;
2 Explosive Breachers;
1 Robot Technician

2 Long Rifle Teams (2-man Team);
6 Man Entry Team;
1 Team Leader;
8 Containment to include grenadiers;
1 Tactical Medic;
1 Liaison;
1 Tactical Commander;
Canine Teams recommended;
Electronic Tech recommended;
Explosive Breachers recommended;
Robot Technician recommended

2 Long Rifle Teams (2-man Team);
4 Man Entry Team;
1 Team Leader;
8 Containment to include grenadiers;
1 Tactical Medic recommended;
1 Liaison recommended;
1 Tactical Commander

 

  
Vehicles  

Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)

Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) recommended

 

 

  
Training  

No known national standard; Law enforcement officer with certified advanced training

No known national standard; Law enforcement officer with certified advanced training

No known national standard; Law enforcement officer with certified advanced training

 

  

Comments:

Type I–A dedicated full-time team designated to handle high-risk situations requiring specialized weapons or extraordinary special operations. Team capable of operating in rural and urban environments. Team capability includes dealing with chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) events. Teams should be capable of working in a CBRN environment absent of vapors.

Type II–A full-time or part-time team designated to handle high-risk situations requiring specialized weapons or extraordinary special operations. Team capable of operating in either rural or urban environments. Teams should be capable of working in a CBRN environment absent of vapors.

Type III–A team designated to handle high-risk situations requiring specialized weapons with limited resources and capabilities. Teams should be capable of working in a CBRN environment absent of vapors and liquids.

Definitions
CBRN Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
APR Air Purifying Respirator
SCBA Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
Level B PPE Non-encapsulated or encapsulated chemical resistant suit with SCBA
Level C PPE Non-encapsulated chemical resistant suit with APR
NIOSH National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
APC Armored Personnel Carrier


National Mutual Aid & Resource Management Initiative
Law Enforcement