The Emergency Response Team (E.R.T.) was originally developed in 1990 for the Economic Summit of Industrialized Nations. The E.R.T. was tasked with the responsibility of protecting world leaders attending the conference.
In August of 1991, proposals were developed and planning began to reestablish the E.R.T. concept. Lesson plan development and equipment evaluations proved to be an exhausting experience during the following 24 months as lesson plans and equipment purchases had to be tailored to the specific requirements of the Department. Personnel requirements were approved in mid-1994 and announcements were made department wide for volunteers. The Department began evaluating candidates beginning in November 1994. The 120-hour course of instruction proved to be both informative and grueling and the graduating students exuded pride and a sense of accomplishment. E.R.T. was first placed on line with a 24-hour call-up status in July of 1995 and several high threat situations have been resolved involving violent inmates. E.R.T. has also conducted several tactical support functions for the Courts Division during high profile trials, including the Yolanda Saldivar trial (for the murder of Latina singer Selena), Juan Abrego (convicted Columbian Cartel leader), high risk warrants service, and barricaded/suicidal subjects.
TEAM ORGANIZATION
The Team structure includes a major, with general managerial and command authority, a captain, the Operations Commander, who is responsible for day-to-day operations of the team as well as for tactical command in the field, and a lieutenant, the Team Commander, who is responsible for directing and evaluating the performance of all subordinate personnel during the discharge of their duties. The Team includes three sergeants: one in the Command Post, one assigned to Perimeter/Marksmen, and one to Entry/React team. Team Leaders, who are currently deputies, assist the Sergeants with supervising the entry and perimeter teams. The team is divided into four primary elements: a primary five-deputy entry team, four-deputy react/breach team, perimeter operations team, and two counter-sniper/observer positions. All E.R.T. deputies are cross-trained in every team position excluding the sniper position and a team leader supervises each team element.
EQUIPMENT
The Emergency Response Team is currently implementing semi-automatic .223 (5.56 Nato) AR15 rifles into their entry element. Some of which are fitted with M3 Tactical illuminator lighting systems, and tactical slings. Most team members have some type of red dot sighting system affixed to their weapon, however, the primary weapon system is the MP5N in 9mm. Team members use their semi-automatic pistol in 9mm. .40 or .45 caliber as a secondary weapon, and for other assignments in the department. Snipers purchase their own Remington 700 bolt-action rifles, and the team has one custom Tyson rifle in use.
Emergency Response Team Deputies are provided ballistic vests, a Kevlar Helmet, and load bearing equipment vests (LBV). Each deputy is issued a handheld radio and a tactical headset for communication; they are also issued standard uniforms, gas masks, and pagers. E.R.T. has been provided numerous other tactical tools to include, but not to be limited to, ballistic shields, riot shields, riot helmets, 36 inch batons, a 37mm less lethal multi-launcher, two single shot 37mm gas launcher, various ladders, rams, and various breaching equipment.
During most call outs and warrant service situations, E.R.T. deploys from a customized passenger van. The team also includes a seven-member Hostage Negotiation Team consisting of two sergeants and five deputies. Each have extensive training in crisis negotiations and use specialized equipment to fulfill their mission. Our Negotiators also volunteer for area crisis hotlines in order to hone their skills.
TRAINING
The Emergency Response Team currently trains two 8-hour days a month at a minimum, and team members attend various operator and instructor schools throughout the year. E.R.T. has also trained with various organizations such as Federal Bureau of Investigations tactical, U.S. Customs tactical, Houston Independent School District tactical, and Houston SWAT. The team consists of numerous instructors versed in different specialties who are tasked with cross-training each member. The team is evaluated each year during mock call out situations.
New members must attend the two-week Basic SORT/SWAT School, which is conducted by team cadre. The school is taught by various members of the team in their specialty field and follows the TTPOA outline for a Basic SWAT academy. The school is open to surrounding agencies to attend and has gained a reputation of being a challenging and fulfilling course in basic tactical operations. Snipers attend the basic SORT/SWAT school and also the FBI Basic and Advanced Sniper Course. Team members are sent to the TTPOA conference, and compete in the TTPOA Competition annually and HNT attends the Negotiations annual conference that is held in San Marcos, Texas.
Team members are at a minimum required to re-qualify semi-annually with all firearms as well as complete the team physical fitness test. The team administrative sergeant conducts the physical re-qualifications and each team member must complete a 2-mile run, and do both push-ups and sit-ups to the minimum standard.
Training days may consist of Cell Extractions, Riots, Defensive Tactics, OC Spray, Dynamic/Stealth Entry, HRT, Rural Environment Tactics, Vehicle Assaults, Firearms Tactics, High Risk Warrant Execution, Waterborne Operations, Operational Planning, equipment T & E reviews, or various other tactical courses. Almost all training is documented for TCLEOSE credit.
Emergency Response Team personnel are regularly called upon to instruct Threat Detection, and Spear, OC Spray and Defensive Tactics both at the Harris County Sheriff's Academy, and Jail School.
SWAT OPERATIONS
The Harris County Sheriff's Office Emergency Response Team mainly responds to call out situations within the Harris County Jail system, which usually involve violent or rioting inmates. Other activities include Dignitary Protection, High Profile Inmate escorts, and Narcotics Destruction. The team has conducted High Risk Warrants Service with High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), and has handled barricaded/suicidal subjects. The team is on twenty-four (24) hour call-out status for the above mentioned as well as hostage situations. When called the Team Commander is advised of a situation then notifies the Team Sergeants. Both the Sergeants and Team Leaders construct plans then an overall consensus is derived for a final deployment. The Team Commander works closely with Negotiators for a peaceful resolution to all critical incidents.
SUMMARY
The Emergency Response Team strives to be a professional and well-trained tool for the Harris County Sheriff's Office and the citizens of our community. We are committed to providing the citizens with the best-trained and prepared unit, in conjunction with the Houston Police Department's SWAT Team, for the peaceful ending of critical incidents occurring in and around the city of Houston and Harris County. With the ever-changing future, there is no doubt that our organization, and those alike, will be called upon with increasing frequency to handle these situations.
