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.
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