Use of Force Courses

Emergency Response Belt

A two day (16 hour) instructor course in the use and concepts of this tough cloth, protective & restraint device. In use nationally since 1989, the ERB has gained court and administrative acceptance faster than any other soft styled restraining device in history. In use in virtually every profession that must control and move/transport violent subjects, the device is worn on the duty belt in a convenient carrier case designed to carry other profession specific equipment.

Since its release in August 1989 the EMERGENCY RESPONSE BELT (ERB) has been used use by virtually every profession that has to handle violent or injured individuals. The ERB has proven its use and effectiveness within these areas faster than any device of in United States history.

 For practical and daily use, the ERB has proven throughout the United States to reduce injuries and potential litigation. The capabilities of moving and transporting violent persons within any facility as well as the use by police in booking/intake areas, transports to court, for Correctional Emergency Response Teams, EMT's Paramedics and Hospital's has made the ERB one of the fastest accepted devices ever developed for professions who manage violent persons.

 It is one of the first defensive and restraining pieces of equipment that receives nearly immediate approval by administrators to be carried by staff because of its "Non-Weapon Status". The ERB has proven to reduce injuries and subsequent litigation.

 With the ERB being utilized by numerous professions within facilities and in the field, it provides tremendous court credibility for those employing its humane techniques. Made of tough cloth the various Emergency Response Belt training programs are profession specific with each program tailored for the required uses of its staff in handling violent subjects. The basics of control, restraint, transport and movement are generic and used by all disciplines. In addition, the ERB is not and will not be sold without certified training. This has been a key issue with the nationally established credibility with the device since it's introduction in late 1989.

 I am confident that you will find this program and the Emergency Response Belt extremely viable for your department and facility. - Thomas J. Archambault

The EMERGENCY RESPONSE BELT (ERB) was designed and developed by Thomas J. Archambault a former Massachusetts Police Officer and nationally recognized use of force instructor. He developed the device and concept by using a large bath towel to handle a violent, severely retarded, 14 year old female while backing up a paramedic unit.

 The ERB is presently in use by numerous professions which have to handle violent or injured individuals in the course of their employment.

 Weighing less than one pound, it is made of tough DuPont Cordura cloth material, and "is not considered a weapon."

 Its intended purpose is to provide a protective and restraining device for staff that have the potential to handle, control, restrain, and move violent or injured subjects.

 The EMERGENCY RESPONSE BELT (ERB) has been granted patent number 333,193.

The ERB gives the effect of "putting handles on the body" which gives upper and lower torso control of a violent, injured, or passive subject which allows them to be carried and moved with ease like a suitcase.

 The common denominator of controlling a violent person is that you must control the arms and legs.

 You cannot apply any restraining device unless the limbs are under control.

 The ERB provides control over the arms and legs by using the handles and wrapping effect of the belt around the limb rather than using your hands.

Factors that Effect Controlling the Limbs Include:

• Hand size/strength
• The subjects arm size/strength
• Oily substance or perspiration on the limbs making them slippery
• Loose clothing making the limb hard to control and grab

 Wrapping techniques with the ERB have proven to be one of the most used techniques with the device by all professions. Controlling a flailing limb can be extremely dangerous and has consistently proven to be a problem for staff trying to control a violent person. Most anyone can pull away from your grip by breaking against your thumb joint. The thumb joint is easy to overcome and escape from by the subject merely bending his/her elbow.

 Wrapping techniques with the ERB can be applied to both the arms and legs and give the necessary control to effectively defeat this problem.

Restraint is attained when the arms and legs are under control. A person must be controlled before any restraining device can be applied regardless of the device, whether handcuffs, tuff-ties, flexcuffs, leather restraints, or the Emergency Response Belt. Handcuffs or some sort of wrist restraints should always be used with the ERB when dealing with potentially violent subjects.

 The Emergency Response Belt has been designed and developed to offer staff superior control of a subject after he/she has been controlled physically and handcuffed or the wrists restrained.

Control can be accomplished by several methods:

• A stronger individual controlling a weaker individual
• Using a greater number of personnel on an individual
• Using a device or hand technique utilizing leverage on a joint location
• Use of an electrical device (taser/stun gun)
• Use of Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) or other chemical agent
• Use of medication

 One of the most used features of the ERB is its use of the Velcro Compression Strap restraint system. The system employed by the device is probably the singular most popular use of the device for any profession that has to move or transport a violent or injured person from point A to B.

 The ERB gives the effect of "putting handles on the body" which gives upper and lower torso control of a violent, injured, or passive subject which allows them to be carried and moved with ease like a suitcase. Subjects can either be walked with one belt on the upper torso, or, carried with three or more belts, (one on the upper torso, one at the waist and one or more, if necessary, on the legs) by staff members.

 As many as five ERB's have been used on some violent subjects. It is always recommended that when moving or transporting heavy persons to use a minimum of three ERB'S.

Special Techniques with the ERB

• Sling Chair
• Stretcher/Litter
• Back Brace
• Human Chain
• Passive Restraint in a Chair, Back Board, Stretcher, or Rescue Basket
• Use as an Emergency Tourniquet
• Use as a Sling or to Secure Splints
• Assist with a Fireman's Drag
• Human Barricade Line
• Active Pinning on a Bed, Back Board, or Stretcher
• Emergency Room/ Stretcher Pinning
• Active Restraint - Arms Only
• Breaking up Fights

The ERB is not sold without training!

 Training must be conducted by a TJA Training Resource Group, Inc. ERB Instructor, or CERT Instructor.

 Basic certification may also be issued by purchasing and completing the newly released ERB Take Control Video Certification Training Package.

Levels of Training and Certification

• Master Instructor Certification (Instructor Trainer)
• Instructor Certification
• Advanced User Certification
• Basic User Certification (Classroom Attendance)
• Basic User Certification (Take Control Package)

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