A hospital special response team--Katrina and beyond

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Security
• Emergency Management
• Law Enforcement in Healthcare

Background:

• Special response police tactical teams are rarely deployed in healthcare settings, despite the presence of armed police.
• WakeMed Health & Hospitals in Raleigh, NC, uniquely utilizes such a unit within its security framework.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the function of a healthcare-based police tactical team during Hurricane Katrina.
• To assess the contemporary need for specialized police tactical teams in hospitals.
• To provide a framework for the formation, equipping, and support acquisition for these units.

Main Methods:

• Case study analysis of the WakeMed tactical team's deployment during Hurricane Katrina.
• Discussion of current security challenges in healthcare environments.
• Guidance development based on practical experience and security principles.

Main Results:

• The WakeMed unit played a significant role during Hurricane Katrina, demonstrating the value of specialized teams in crisis situations.
• There is a potential and growing need for similar units in other healthcare systems.
• Key considerations for establishing and supporting these teams have been identified.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare systems can benefit from specialized police tactical teams for enhanced security and crisis response.
• The formation of such units requires careful planning, appropriate equipment, and strong institutional support.
• Lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina highlight the preparedness advantages of these specialized teams.