Tactical EMS

[SarahT]

After getting rid of the idea of Flight Paramedic (:sad:), I've been doing some research on Tactical EMS. I'm very intrigued. I realize that by taking these classes, you improve your knowledge on how to handle different situations. I'm wondering, however, when do you really utilize it?

:excl: http://www.tactical-ems.com

Tactical Medical Training for high-risk situations:

Tactical Operations

Active Shooter

Clandestine Labs

Less Lethal Weapons

Gang Awareness

Remote Assessments

Violent Patients

Street Drugs

Custom Courses


This sounds to me like you would have to be in law inforcement maybe? Or it could be one of those badass jobs you can only think about working with the SWAT teams.

Any thoughts?

[DT4EMS]

Tac-Medics definately have a place in EMS. Luno is a great resouce here for this topic. Hopefully he will be along soon to answer your questions.

[Wingnut]

Wow, that sounds even better than HAZMAT. I wouldn't mind working with law enforcement at all (hell I live with one) but I don't want to be a cop. I just couldn't see myself being all Mrs. Macho with the arresting and fighting and stuff. That's one of the other problems with where I live, the options are SO limited and you really have to know someone to get anything "different" opened up to you. But I'm going to have to check that out in my area...sounds really cool :)

[JJR512]

After getting rid of the idea of Flight Paramedic (:sad:), I've been doing some research on Tactical EMS...
If you don't mind me asking, why are ditching the idea of becoming a Flight Paramedic? I'm curious because this is a direction I've strongly been considering. In Maryland, FP's are regular State Police officers.

All MDSP officers are hired as road troopers, and all go through the same six-month live-in military-style academy. After being assigned to a road unit, if one has a current NREMT-P certification, one can request a transfer to Aviation Command, a process that itself takes several months. The MDSP operates eight Eurocopter Dauphin 2 medevac helicopters, and is the primary medevac provider in the state; in fact, the MDSP performed the first civilian (non-military) medevac.

I've been interested in being a police officer for a long time, and actually took the written test once and scored very high. But I was never in good enough physical condition, and for a bunch of reasons never got in shape. I've also been interested in helicopters, and now I'm interested in EMS, so it seems to me that being a Flight Paramedic would be an excellent combination of three of my main interests. I mentioned this to one of my EMT-B instructors, and he said I should consider becoming a "Flight Nurse", because they'll make twice as much money working for some private transport companies or other agencies. But to me, it's not about the money (as long as I can support my family); it's about pride, doing something (finally) that my family can be proud of me for, and that I can be proud of myself for. It's about having a really cool job and surviving a highly competetive process to get it, and being one of only about 25 people to have it at any one time. Some transport job isn't going to give me that.

So, that's why I'm interested in being one myself, and why I'm interested in why you were interested but decided to pursue another direction. If I'm not being too nosy. :)

[MMiz]

Being a tactical medic can mean many things. While there are recognized courses, the level of training and responsibility really varies.

I know our private service is training a TEMS team. Right now they're no more than an ALS unit trained in specific treatments for GSW / similar trauma injuries. Over time I know they're looking to expand their education and scope of practice.

[SarahT]

If you don't mind me asking, why are ditching the idea of becoming a Flight Paramedic? I'm curious because this is a direction I've strongly been considering.

For me, it's all about Chemistry and Algebra. I just cannot pass it. No matter what I do, I cannot get this stuff to stick in my head. For a Flight Paramedic, I've been informed that you need to be a RN as well, with 3+ years in trauma/critical care (if I remember right). The RN degree is a little out of reach for me. :sad:

You're not being too nosy by the way. :P If you want to be a Flight Paramedic, go for it! What a great job. Wish you the best. :)

[JJR512]

For me, it's all about Chemistry and Algebra. I just cannot pass it. No matter what I do, I cannot get this stuff to stick in my head. For a Flight Paramedic, I've been informed that you need to be a RN as well, with 3+ years in trauma/critical care (if I remember right). The RN degree is a little out of reach for me. :sad:

You're not being too nosy by the way. :P If you want to be a Flight Paramedic, go for it! What a great job. Wish you the best. :)
Thanks! :) As far as I can tell, being an RN isn't a requirement for the MD State Police. They have the actual requirements pretty well spelled out. Now I have no doubt that being an RN in addition to being a paramedic would make an applicant look better. Maybe it's one of those not-official good things to have, like a college degree in criminal justice; the State Police only says you have to be a high-school graduate, but most people will say you can pretty much forget it these days with that CJ degree.

[Jon]

MDSP are one of the few services that dosen't use nurses.

[nyc.ems]

Sounds like ems skills in new york city:P B)

[natrab]

California Highway Patrol uses medics in their helos.

[Luno]

Well, there are a lot of different facets of Tac-Med, and what that course encompasses appears to focus more on SWAT Tac-Med. Usually when one thinks of Tac-Med, it's usually thought of the last guy in the stack on an entry team, but there are all kinds of jobs for the "shooter/medic." Feel free to send me an e-mail if you have any specific questions. I may take a while to get back to you, but I do eventually get back to people. (I don't want to hear it EMTPrincess ;) )