🛑 Escalation & Evacuation Protocols

When tensions spike — police formations, counter-protesters, or sudden violence —
teams without a plan freeze, scatter, or get injured.
This course builds a clear escalation and exit protocol so pods can move safely and keep everyone accounted for.

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Enhanced Escalation Framework

1. Threat Indicators (5-Minute Warning Signs)

Police or Crowd Behavior	Pod Response Tier
Police lines shifting (line → wedge)	Yellow Alert: Test exits
Gas masks or uniform swaps observed	Orange Alert: Move vulnerable
Kettling or flank attempts begin	Red Alert: Execute escape plan

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2. Evacuation Triggers

Non-negotiable triggers:

• Chemical weapons deployed (tear gas, pepper spray).
• Live ammunition or rubber bullets fired.
• Kettling or mass encirclement tactics.

Discretionary triggers:

• Loss of 50% communications (Signal, radio).
• Medical emergency with no clear route to aid.

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3. Exit Route Mapping

Always map three levels of escape before any event:

PRIMARY: [Street] → [Alley] → [Safehouse]
SECONDARY: [Park] → [Bike path] → [Community hub]
TERTIARY: Split-up → Public transit (no regroup until safe)

Mark routes discreetly using chalk or tape:

▲ = Clear route
▼ = Blocked or dangerous

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Field Communication Protocols

Voice commands:

• "Bird in flight" = Prep to move (non-alarming).
• "Sunset now" = Immediate dispersal (no questions).
• "Medic echo" = Follow medic line out.

Signal/Radio format:

[PRIORITY] [LOCATION] [NEED]
"RED – 5th/Broadway – KETTLE"
"YELLOW – SE Park – MEDIC"

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Extraction Drills (Monthly Practice)

• Blindfold Navigation: Navigate to fallback while blindfolded to build route memory.
• Runner Relay: Pass evacuation orders via runners (no tech).
• Blackout Scenario: Escape with no lights, no comms, whisper-only coordination.

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Vulnerability Prioritization

Evacuation order:

1. Disabled participants, medics, legal observers.
2. General participants.
3. Trained marshals or safety coordinators (if unavoidable).

Always assign buddy pairs before events to prevent lost individuals.

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Gear Checklist for Exits

• Reflective or glow tape (for night tracking).
• Whistles (3 short bursts = danger signal).
• Preloaded burner metro or transit cards (waterproof case).
• UV map tattoos (temporary, for night visibility).

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After-Action Musts

• 15-minute headcount at fallback point.
• Trauma check: water, blankets, grounding exercises.
• OPSEC cleanup: Delete all maps, codes, and comms logs within 24 hours.

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Final Checklist (Enhanced)

• Can identify police and crowd behavior leading to escalation.
• Has practiced no-comms escapes with pod members.
• Knows 3+ fallback points by heart (not just on paper).
• Has trained at least 2 backups on all exit and de-escalation protocols.