Small Arms Fire Incident Management

Incident Management Guidelines

Small arms fire is the use of rifles or handguns against a target, whether a person, vehicle, or structure, presenting a personal and psychological risk to employees, as well as secondary hazards if fired within areas with highly combustible materials. The caliber and velocity of the round as well as its composition and nature will determine the level of damage this form of threat may pose to personnel or facilities. Typically smaller‐caliber rounds will not penetrate commercial vehicle armoring, although explosive or armor‐piercing rounds will. In addition, munitions can pose an indirect threat if fired indiscriminately, or can create secondary hazards if they ignite explosive or flammable materials. Small arms fire can also present a risk in countries when the firing of weapons is associated with demonstrations or festivals, as rounds may land with sufficient force to cause injuries.

In the event of a small arms fire incident occurring, the following points should be addressed:

✓ Action Points

1. Stand up the Incident Management and Crisis Response Teams using the SAD CHALETS system.
2. Determine whether a hostile activity is under way:
   • Directly targeting individuals or facilities.
   • Indirect gunfire within a broad zone.
   • Celebratory gunfire from festivals.
3. Determine whether the gunfire is effective—is it hitting the intended targets, or is it indiscriminate?
4. Move personnel to safe areas or havens if permissible.
5. Initiate security response groups if appropriate.
6. Secure the facility; close all access points and lock buildings.
7. Inform all employees: Instruct them where the threat is and direct them to safety.
8. Alert external response groups to intercede: military, police, and commercial QRFs.
9. Implement other aspects of the IMP as appropriate.
10. Provide an IMP Risk Assessment Report as soon as possible.

Key People to Call (see the IMP Communications Plan)

Group	Yes/No	Group	Yes/No
• Medical organization		• Organic QRF
• Military interface		• Crisis response team
• Embassy or consulate		• Security provider (vendor)
• Police, fire, or ambulance		• Other groups

Mugging or Robbery Incident Management

Incident Management Guidelines

Robbery or mugging is a risk faced in any part of the world. Companies should advise their personnel to avoid areas with high crime rates or hostile ethnic populations, as well as educate them as to personal security awareness. This can be especially relevant in poor countries or where ethnic or gender groups may be exposed to higher levels of risk. Personnel should avoid demonstrating their wealth, should carry limited cash or valuable items, and should always seek to remain in public and well‐lit spaces. A person who is robbed or mugged is generally advised not to be aggressive, but to hand over money and possessions without resistance, remaining calm so as not to excite the robber. Typically robberies are motivated by crime, rather than a personal grudge, and most criminals will depart after being given money or valuable items.

In the event of a robbery incident occurring, the following points should be addressed:

✓ Action Points

1. Stand up the Incident Management Team using the SAD CHALETS system. Inform the Crisis Response Team only if serious injury occurred or if sensitive materials were stolen.
2. Determine whether anyone was injured, physically or psychologically.
3. Seek medical assistance if injuries occurred, and counseling if appropriate.
4. Determine what was stolen: its value to the individual as well as the company.
5. Inform the police, providing:
   • Date, time, and location of occurrence.
   • Injuries resulting from the event.
   • Items stolen.
   • Description of the assailant.
   • Any history associated with the area or individual of assaults and robberies.
6. Review the security measures or advisory briefing for the area in which the crime occurred.
7. Determine whether risks are posed to employees inside and outside of the facility.
8. Provide a detailed incident report if the event occurred on company property.
9. Increase security measures if the incident occurred on company property.

Key People to Call (see the IMP Communications Plan)

Group	Yes/No	Group	Yes/No
• Medical organization		• Organic QRF
• Military interface		• Crisis response team
• Embassy or consulate		• Security provider (vendor)
• Police, fire, or ambulance		• Other groups

Threats, Coercion, and Intimidation Incident Management

Incident Management Guidelines

Coercion is the practice of compelling a person to behave in an involuntary manner either through action or inaction, by the use of threats, intimidation, or some other form of pressure or force. Extortion occurs when a person either unlawfully obtains money, property, or services from a person, entity, or institution through coercion or intimidation, or threatens a person, entity, or institution with physical or reputational harm unless they are paid money or property. Threats, coercion, or extortion of company staff or subcontractors can be detrimental to the safety and welfare of individuals, as well as to the productivity of the business activity as a whole. Critical personnel or entire workforces may not attend work if they perceive themselves to be at risk, and employees may feel forced to undermine the company by actively participating in illegal or unethical activities if they or their families are threatened.

In the event of a coercion incident occurring, the following points should be addressed:

✓ Action Points

1. Stand up the Incident Management and Crisis Response Teams using the SAD CHALETS system.
2. Establish which individuals or groups are at risk.
3. Establish who is the perpetrator or group that is threatening the individual, group, or organization.
4. Establish the perpetrator's agenda, motivation, and goals, and determine what implications these have on personnel, activities, and facilities.
5. Establish the nature and impacts of the risk, as well as the probability of occurrence:
   • Is it an empty threat?
   • Is it a real threat?
6. Take precautions to safeguard individuals, groups, and facilities while police and other response groups are mobilized.
7. Inform the police, providing as much detail as possible.
8. Establish whether other individuals, groups, or facilities might be at risk, and alert any at‐risk groups.
9. Collect any evidence of the threats made for investigation and possible prosecution.
10. Increase the security and safety posture in locations at risk.
11. Implement any associated IMP policies.
12. Provide an IMP Risk Assessment Report as soon as possible.

Key People to Call (see the IMP Communications Plan)

Group	Yes/No	Group	Yes/No
• Medical organization		• Organic QRF
• Military interface		• Crisis response team
• Embassy or consulate		• Security provider (vendor)
• Police, fire, or ambulance		• Other groups