New Tac Med Team in Ohio

[matt202]

chbare.

Agree fully, with your comments. It is essential that EMS provide an appropriate response to tactical operations at a location outside of the immediate threat. This however is poles apart from the role of the tactical paramedic/s working as part of the team.

Regards

Matt

[chbare]

Not really IMHO. Much of the team medics job will include "non tactical" tasks if you will. Gathering medical intelligence, creating medical SOP's and IAD's, keeping up with team mate medical problems and an active medical dossier, performing an area survey, coordinating care with local, state, and federal resources, providing a medical intelligence report and threat assessment for the team leader, and many other tasks. Therefore, I believe a team medic should train with the team and have a comprehensive understanding of the equipment, tactics, and methodology of the tactical environment regardless of the level of "tactical operational" involvement. This level of involvement goes beyond an ambulance stationed a block away.

Take care,

chbare.

[matt202]

I agree fully. I think you misunderstood me. The role of the team medic is about the team and everything that relates to the team and the deployment but that is just the first link in the chain. The next bit is about having the appropriate EMS response ready to receive the patient. That may be an ambulance around the next block, but it may also include a doc and one, two or more ambulances or helicopters for that matter with docs on board at appropriate landing sites close to the incident. It depends on the job and the medical threat assessment that relates to that job.

[WolfmanHarris]

Tactical Paramedics in Canada are not armed. They are also not part of the entry team. Beyond that I can't speak too much to specifics.

Here are some links to Tactical Paramedic teams

Toronto EMS Tactical Paramedics

Ottawa Paramedic Service Tactical Paramedics

[Dustdevil]

I support SWAT medics, and I was one long before the concept became a fad. What I do not support is half steps. Go big or go home.

[akroeze]

My service has tactical medics.

http://www.hastingscounty.com/index.php?op...0&Itemid=78

[Kiwiology]

.... Go big or go home.

Welcome to Del Taco can I take your order?

Note: avoid the macho nachos

[Spock]

We have a tactical team of medics that respond with our regional SWAT team. They are trained to make entry with SWAT but are unarmed because Pennsylvania does not permit medics to be armed. It is clearly understood that medics entering with SWAT would be a rare instance. The big advantage is that SWAT is working with a small group of medics that they know well and trust. The importance of that can not be underestimated. We have also trained SWAT in basic trauma care so they can help each other in the hot zone. This is a good team and its value is recognized by SWAT.

All of that said I have to agree that tactical medics should be armed which is why I am not on the team although I have helped them develop an airway protocol similar to the one we use on our county haz mat medical team.

Live long and prosper.

Spock

[Dustdevil]

Whoa! A Spock sighting!

[Spock]

Thanks Dust! I've been around but have just been to darn busy as of late.

Live long and prosper.

Spock