Mission Statement

The Emergency Response Team is a lifesaving tool utilized to resolve conflicts that present an unknown or high level of risk of injury or death. The goal of all our operations is the peaceful resolution to each incident using reasonable force. We accomplish our mission through individual commitment to our team objective.

In 1990, local law enforcement officials saw the need to form a multi-agency team of specially trained officers who could be tasked with the resolution of high-risk missions. These missions originated from incidents that exceeded local law enforcement agencies' resources. Some assignments included high-risk warrant service, fugitive retrieval, clandestine drug lab counter-operations, dignitary protective detail and hostage rescues. The need for these and other services facilitated the formation of the Harvey County Emergency Response Team (ERT).

ERT currently draws its volunteer personnel from several local agencies, including the Harvey County Sheriff’s Office, Newton Police Department, Newton Fire/EMS and Harvey County Communications.  ERT’s readiness is assured through intensive, continued team training and use of specialized equipment designed to meet the challenges encountered during our missions.