There are predictably four prominent stages in nearly all hostage/barricade situations: pre-crisis, crisis, accommodation/negotiation, and resolution (Vecchi, 2009). The first stage, pre-crisis, occurs “when a person goes about his or her normal routine with no specific knowledge of the looming event. During this stage, the person may or may not be aware of an impending problem. The crisis stage is characterized by high emotions, low rationality, and an inability to cope with a problem that is perceived to be a serious threat to an important need. During this stage, frustration and tension rise as a result of the person being unable to deal with the problem, using familiar coping routines” (Vecchi, 2009, p. 38). Obviously, the point in which
