The Ambulance Exchange Point (AEP) is commonly located in the Warm Zone. Depending on the situation, one could be established in the Cold Zone. Contact Teams provide security for the AEP. Ambulances stay only as long as needed to load patients.
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Glossary
October 15, 2026 • 1 min read
Ambulance Exchange Point (AEP)
Definition
In an active shooter incident, a specific location, with security established, where an ambulance is sent to pick up evacuated casualties from a team operating in the Warm Zone.
Official Definition
Source: Active Shooter Incident Management: Instructor Guide, C3 Pathways, Inc., 2026.
Discussion
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Lead Instructor
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Lead Instructor
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Frequently Asked Questions
The AEP is part of the medical mission and requires a security element. Contact Teams and Rescue Task Forces jointly determine its location.
Crews need the AEP location, the approach route, and confirmation that security is in place. The Transport Group Supervisor will clear the movement into the Warm Zone with the Tactical Group Supervisor. Transport will then assign the route and hospital destination.
The AEP commonly sits in the Warm Zone. While in the AEP, crews provide Indirect Threat care. Once the Ambulance exits the Warm Zone, the Evacuation Care phase of TECC begins.
Rescue Task Forces or Contact Teams move them from the Casualty Collection Point or from the point of injury. Ambulance crews do not go forward to collect them.
The Transport Group Supervisor directs ambulance routes into the AEP. Transport will clear the Ambulance movement into the Warm Zone with the Tactical Group Supervisor. The Transport Group Supervisor is responsible for assigning the hospital destination, based on hospital availability and the severity of injury to the patient.
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