Emergency Response Team

Atlantic County Emergency Response Team (ACERT) is a group of tactically-trained Police Officer's from participating agencies within Atlantic County, who have been formed into a well trained and highly-motivated team capable of responding to, and dealing with, various crisis situations. ACERT's responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Hostage rescue, barricaded subjects, high risk arrest warrants, high risk search warrants, civil unrest, homeland security, dignitary protection, and large event tactical security. Each member of ACERT must complete a 40-hour course in basic SWAT tactics before he or she is to be considered a full member of the ACERT. ACERT members must also train at least sixteen hours monthly and pass an annual physical fitness test to stay active. In addition to the monthly training sessions, certain components of the ACERT may require additional training and/or certifications. Examples of these components would be: marksmen, chemical agent instructors, firearms instructors, team medic and distraction device instructors. The Egg Harbor Township Police established its Emergency Response Team in 1991, and has helped form and now participates as part of the Atlantic County Emergency Response Team (ACERT). The mission of the team is to provide specialized training and tactics to acute situations, such as with the service of warrants, crowd control, barricaded subjects and hostage situations. The team approach provides a core of Law Enforcement professionals from several agencies that train rigously and regularly to provide outstanding capabilities.

Hostage Crisis Negotiations Team

The Hostage Crisis Negotiations Team is a available resource often used in conjunction with the Emergency Response Team. HCNT members are also skilled law enforcement members whose training hopes to provide an avenue to deescalate situations to more positive outcomes using effective communication.