Hazmat and Hate: Planning and Response for Special Operations Teams to a Neo-Nazi Public Demonstration

Introduction: October 18, 2017 an unfortunately popular white supremacist brought hate and thousands of protesters to the University Florida in Gainesville, FL just months after violent domestic terrorist attacks Charlottesville, VA. The threats, possibilities, intense planning undertaken by law enforcement fire-rescue were hugely successful. Method: Multi-faceted from enforcement, crowd control, medical emergency response, fire suppression, hazardous material detection rescue task forces, extreme sides protesting... all proved Results: While there was still violence, complex plans violence among protests successfully thwarted. Conclusion: coordination between Gainesville Fire Rescue, Police Department, Alachua County Sheriff's Office, Highway Patrol, more successful something be proud despite such hatred projected while also protecting first amendment.