RESOURCE: SWAT/Tactical Teams  
CATEGORY:  Law Enforcement and Security Resources  KIND:  Team  
MINIMUM CAPABILITIES:  TYPE I  TYPE II  TYPE III  TYPE IV  OTHER  
COMPONENT  METRIC  
Team  Tactical Unit See Note 1 and Note 7  Type I Teams and Elements  Type II Teams and Elements  Type III Teams and Elements  None  
Team  Tactical Team See Note 2 and Note 7  One Type I tactical element One other Type I or Type II tactical element  One Type II tactical element One other Type II or III tactical element  Multiple Type III elements  None  
Team  Tactical Element  See Note 3 and Note 7  Same as Type II except for Multiple special tactics capabilities  5 Personnel Vehicle One or more special tactics capabilities  2 - 5 Personnel Vehicle Basic entry capability  None  
Equipment  Ammunition  Same as Type II  Same as Type III  Ammunition for all weapons  None  
Equipment  Distraction Devices  Same as Type II  Same as Type III  Distraction devices  None  
Equipment  Optics and Target Illumination  Same as Type II  Same as Type III  Night vision goggles Weapons optics IR Illuminators Lighted Weapons System  None  
Equipment  Ballistic Protection  Same as Type II  Same as Type III  Multiple Hand-Held Ballistic shields and blankets (handgun and rifle rated)  None  
Equipment  Respiratory Protection  Same as Type II  Self contained respiratory protection suitable for SWAT operations See note 6  None  None  
Equipment  Chemical Protective Clothing  Same as Type II  Level B and C PPE suitable for SWAT operations  Level C PPE suitable for SWAT operations  None  
Equipment  Insertion Equipment  Same as Type II plus: FAST ROPE  Same as Type III  Rappel Portable ladders  None  
Equipment  Negotiation Equipment  Same as Type II plus: Remote/mobile capabilities  Same as Type III  Transmitting equipment that includes wireless and hard-line  Mutual aid for pre-planned events.  

RESOURCE: SWAT/Tactical Teams  
CATEGORY:  Law Enforcement and Security Resources  KIND:  Team  
MINIMUM CAPABILITIES:  TYPE I  TYPE II  TYPE III  TYPE IV  OTHER  
COMPONENT  METRIC  
Special Tactical Capability  Breaching  Same as Type II plus: Explosives breaching charges  Same as Type III plus: Exothermic breaching equipment  Mechanical and shotgun breaching equipment  Mutual aid for pre-planned events.  
Special Tactical Capability  Observer / Marksman Capability  Same as Type II plus: IR optics  Same as Type III plus: Night operations capability  Long range, optically-equipped weapons.  Mutual aid for pre-planned events.  
Special Tactical Capability  Robotic Equipment  Same as Type II  Robot System with operator, communications, delivery capabilities and tactical weapons platform options  Employment of available bomb squad robotic assets  Mutual aid for pre-planned events  
Special Tactical Capability  Surveillance Equipment  Same as Type II plus: fiber optics  Same as Type III plus: video  Listening equipment  Mutual aid for pre-planned events  
Special Tactical Capability  Bomb Technician Support  Embedded Type I bomb team See Note 4  Embedded or mutual aid Type II bomb team See Note 4  Embedded or mutual aid Type III bomb team See Note 4  Type I, II or III bomb team available for post-incident hazard removal  
Special Tactical Capability  Special Munitions Equipment  Same as Type II  Same as Type III  Chemical agents and Less Lethal weapons with delivery systems.  Mutual aid for pre-planned events  
Special Tactical Capability  Negotiation  Same as Type II  Same as Type III  Negotiator  Mutual aid for pre-planned events  
Special Tactical Capability  Maritime Boarding See Note 9  Underway boarding via air insertion and watercraft  Underway boarding via air or watercraft  Pier-side boarding via air and ladder climb  None  
Special Tactical Capability  Tactical Medic See Note 5  Paramedics with advanced life support capabilities/ equipment  Same as Type III  EMTs (Recommend Paramedics)  None  
Special Tactical Capability  Insertion  Air mobile capabilities including FAST ROPE and rappel  Air mobile capabilities including FAST ROPE and rappel See Note 8  Rappel from structures only  None  
Special Tactical Capability  Specialty Vehicles  Command Post Vehicle, APC, ATV, Boats, Armored Response Vehicle See Note 9  None  None  None  

RESOURCE: SWAT/Tactical Teams  
CATEGORY:  Law Enforcement and Security Resources  KIND:  Team  
MINIMUM CAPABILITIES:  TYPE I  TYPE II  TYPE III  TYPE IV  OTHER  
COMPONENT  METRIC  
COMMENTS:  Note 1: The Tactical Unit within a department is comprised of multiple officers, teams or elements and led by a commander and/or supervisor. Note 2:  The Tactical Team is an operational entity comprised of multiple tactical elements, special capabilities and officers assembled for a mission.  Tactical teams may be as a result of mutual aid in order to provide a regional capability. Note 3:  The Tactical Element is two or more tactical operators with an assigned mission or function within a team.  NIMS tactical team elements are generally 5 tactical operators unless otherwise specified.  Tactical Element Equipment includes: Protective Clothing: Tactical Body Armor (helmet, eye and ear protection, fire resistant gloves & hood) suitable for SWAT operations Weapons: Handguns and shoulder fired weapon suitable for SWAT operations Respiratory Protection: Protective mask with spare filters suitable for SWAT operations Breaching Equipment: Mechanical Breaching Equipment Note 4:  Bomb Team as defined in NIMS, qualified within their department to support tactical operations Note 5:  Training includes Tactical Emergency Medic Support (TEMS). Note 6: Minimum amount of breathing apparatuses to outfit an entry team (see SCBA below) Note 7: Tactical Unit, Teams and Elements as defined in NIMS must be qualified within their department in the stated special tactics capabilities and equipment used to conduct tactical operations in high risk situation. Note 8:  FAST ROPE may only apply to metropolitan/urban areas or jurisdictions with available air mobility. Note 9: May only apply to areas with critical waterway or coastal areas. Definitions: APC Armored Personnel Carrier APR Air Purifying Respirator ATV All Terrain Vehicle EMT Emergency Medical Technician Level B PPE Non-encapsulated or encapsulated chemical resistant suit with SCBA Level C PPE Non-encapsulated chemical resistant suit with APR PPE Personal Protective Equipment SCBA Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (may include re-breathers and or other hybrid type SCBAs suitable for SWAT operations) Special Tactics Capabilities Tactical Units, teams or elements with an assigned specialty mission such as observer / marksman, breaching, bomb technician support, hostage negotiations.  Special Tactics Capabilities can exist within an element, team or unit based on the specific skills and qualifications of operators.  Special Capabilities can also be gained by mutual aid from other jurisdictions or agencies with the capability to provide assistance in reasonable time. SWAT Special Weapons and Tactics Tactical Officer Sworn officers qualified within their department to conduct tactical operations in high risk situations.