The Seneca County Sheriff's Office Emergency Response Team (ERT) was made possible by a State Homeland Security Grant. There are two components of the grant: Explosive Detection and Emergency Response. The Explosive Detection component was accomplished with the purchase and training of an Explosive Detector Canine "Ben" and handler Deputy John Fowler.
The Sheriff's Emergency Response Team is comprised of members of the Uniform Road Patrol and Criminal Investigations Division. Members of the ERT are highly trained to respond to active shooter response incidents, high risk warrant execution, VIP protection and barricaded subject responses. The ERT provides an immediate response to any situation within Seneca County where their services are needed. A trained hostage negotiator assigned to the unit compliments the unit capabilities.
On 02-25-2012, members of the Seneca County Sheriff's Office Emergency Response Team (ERT) participated with Emergency Response Teams from the New York State Police, Ontario County Sheriff's Office and other area law enforcement agencies in a one day hands-on practical active shooter training session. Emergency response teams were presented with a number of real life active shooter scenarios to hone their response and deployment skills and tactics.