Law Enforcement / Medic

Drwlemt

Drwlemt

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Hi everyone,
New to the forum and wanted to see if anyone had any advice. I got out of the Marine Corps and got my basic and have worked with a 911 service for a couple years. I'm finishing up my AAS in emergency medicine soon and will be testing for EMT-P. I really enjoy doing EMS but I'm curious where I can go that'll allow me to work as a LEO and medic. I've talked to a Maryland Trooper recruiter and that's an option. I've also looked into BORSTAR but from what I'm seeing it looks like I would've been better off going straight into the boarder patrol out of the military instead of trying to go from EMS to the BP. talked to my local sheriff office and they don't utilize tactical medics and don't allow "moonlighting" or holding down a second job. Curious to see what other options are out there. Thanks in advance everyone.
 
Drwlemt said:
Hi everyone,
New to the forum and wanted to see if anyone had any advice. I got out of the Marine Corps and got my basic and have worked with a 911 service for a couple years. I'm finishing up my AAS in emergency medicine soon and will be testing for EMT-P. I really enjoy doing EMS but I'm curious where I can go that'll allow me to work as a LEO and medic. I've talked to a Maryland Trooper recruiter and that's an option. I've also looked into BORSTAR but from what I'm seeing it looks like I would've been better off going straight into the boarder patrol out of the military instead of trying to go from EMS to the BP. talked to my local sheriff office and they don't utilize tactical medics and don't allow "moonlighting" or holding down a second job. Curious to see what other options are out there. Thanks in advance everyone.
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Most jobs that combine them will be federal in nature.. Currently the closest i would imagine you being able to get on the State level would be a tactical team(which im sure they would love to have a USMC vet.). I know in NYS there are tactical teams at the state level that do high risk warrants, and respond to violent emergencies (shooters, big bank robberies, ect) and there is always a medical professional. There is a weird system, where technically i can do both(be an EMT and a LEO) at that specific moment in time, but obviously those are rare. If im not mistaken, which i may be because i'm not from maryland, the only reason that is an option is because Maryland sources their HEMS operations to the state police, but they function as HEMS only, and not a helicopter spotlighting a car chase ect. Currently i work with NYSDOCCS(parole) and a side gig of EMS with the sheriffs Dpt. EMS unit. Idk if this helped at all, but if you have more questions just lmk.
 
The San Antonio Police Dept has a team of approx. 40 officers that are trained as medics (various levels). Their primary role is law enforcement, but they do get to play a fair amount.

BORSTAR would be an awesome gig. I've done a bit training with those guys- they're pretty good at what they do.
 
NysEms2117 said:
Most jobs that combine them will be federal in nature.. Currently the closest i would imagine you being able to get on the State level would be a tactical team(which im sure they would love to have a USMC vet.). I know in NYS there are tactical teams at the state level that do high risk warrants, and respond to violent emergencies (shooters, big bank robberies, ect) and there is always a medical professional. There is a weird system, where technically i can do both(be an EMT and a LEO) at that specific moment in time, but obviously those are rare. If im not mistaken, which i may be because i'm not from maryland, the only reason that is an option is because Maryland sources their HEMS operations to the state police, but they function as HEMS only, and not a helicopter spotlighting a car chase ect. Currently i work with NYSDOCCS(parole) and a side gig of EMS with the sheriffs Dpt. EMS unit. Idk if this helped at all, but if you have more questions just lmk.
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Appreciate it. I'm noticing that at the state level they tend to be two completely separate entities. But my only frame of reference is for here in North Carolina so I'm trying to see if anyone else has had any experience and any advice helps. I'm considering after I finish my medic going through BLET and just doing one part time and the other full time but would definitely rather have a job that incorporates both. Even considering finishing my bachelors and going for the FBI HRT as a medic but I'm just worried that ill be too close to the age cut off to be considered.
 
STXmedic said:
The San Antonio Police Dept has a team of approx. 40 officers that are trained as medics (various levels). Their primary role is law enforcement, but they do get to play a fair amount.

BORSTAR would be an awesome gig. I've done a bit training with those guys- they're pretty good at what they do.
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Awesome thank you. Heard a lot of good things about the BORSTAR team sounds like they prefer guys to come on as an agent first then after some time and showing interest they put you thru the schooling. Haven't talked to anyone yet that applied as a medic but it would great to see if anyone's gone that route.
 
I'm currently in the federal application process (stage 1 STILL with the FBI(they take forever!), stage 2- with USMS and DEA, and just recently applied to the ATF). my B.S is in Criminal justice/Criminology, minor in Computer science(just for reference). They are 2 separate entities, i dont know of any states in the North east to have state EMS, most are county agencies or outsourced EMS, Albany county for example: Mohawk ambulance and AMR. I'm rather content with LE as my main job(state pension and all that jazz) and EMS for some "useable" money. However since the state pays for school if i decide to go i am getting a BSN in nursing(starting school soon). Tbh if you apply soon to the feds you'll probably get processed much faster then i did since you served. I do think any Federal "special teams" DEA FAST, FBI HRT, USMS fugitive TF, all will require you to be with the agency for 3-5 years before you can apply intra-agency for the special units. Another thing to remember is most of those special units do in-fact deploy, but they are based stateside.
 
STXmedic said:
The San Antonio Police Dept has a team of approx. 40 officers that are trained as medics (various levels). Their primary role is law enforcement, but they do get to play a fair amount.
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What are they used for? Is it blanket use (example: if they are dispatched and get there before the ambulance, do they do their medic stuff?). Or is it TECC medicine only?
 
Drwlemt said:
Awesome thank you. Heard a lot of good things about the BORSTAR team sounds like they prefer guys to come on as an agent first then after some time and showing interest they put you thru the schooling. Haven't talked to anyone yet that applied as a medic but it would great to see if anyone's gone that route.
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It sounds as though getting your EMT, and/ or paramedic beforehand wouldn't hurt your chances, but you would in fact need to do two years before being considered, and you're put through an EMT course anyhow. It also sounds as though having your paramedic isn't an absolute must, so I don't know exactly what level of a provider they typically practice at/ staff.

Like any special ops within an agency it sounds as though they're out for the right fit (select group), good luck.

http://myborderpatroljob.com/what-is-borstar/
 
DEmedic said:
Delaware State Police also use trooper medics.
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Question: how much paramedic stuff do they really do?

I don't know much about them, but from what I have seen MSP doesn't do much aside from basic treatment/ transport. I did look into them a while back, and their training/ protocols seemed to be much more than what I have actually seen.
 
The MSP guys are used a lot. In lots of places they're the only RSI medics and they transport a fair amount of gnarly stuff. They always seems like a well respected group to me, but I'd only met some of the guys in training.

The DE trooper medics do less of the EMS and more of the LEO stuff, but they're the tactical swat medics and are called on to transport pretty often. The county ground medics were usually flying with them, if the patient required any airway management.
 
NysEms2117 said:
What are they used for? Is it blanket use (example: if they are dispatched and get there before the ambulance, do they do their medic stuff?). Or is it TECC medicine only?
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The initial idea behind them was to have medically-trained officers that could get to an officer-down situation faster than an EMS unit who had to stage. They've since evolved into treating civilians when they arrive before EMS does (major MVCs, shootings, and assaults are pretty common runs they help on). They've actually been very successful with their program and have legitimately saved countless lives over the last 5 years that would've very likely died prior to EMS arriving.
 
DEmedic said:
The MSP guys are used a lot. In lots of places they're the only RSI medics and they transport a fair amount of gnarly stuff. They always seems like a well respected group to me, but I'd only met some of the guys in training.
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Admittedly, my firsthand knowledge of them is lacking, though again, I do remember them having a solid training process, aggressive protocols, and also seemed respected. I also thought I remembered them staffing a single trooper medic/ pilot setup. Plus, those Dauphins, what a badass airship.

I asked about the DSP because I know it can be hit or miss with how much actual paramedicine some of these LE agencies provide vs. SAR with "paramedics" on board. Case, and point these guys below. Though,TMK, they do or can staff their helicopters with physicians from time to time, and if I was ever lost in the outskirts of LA County I would hope these guys found me.
They also recently got a whole new fleet of badassery...
http://www.policehelicopterpilot.com/los-angeles-sheriff-air-ops/
 
Great stuff guys. Its awesome to see I'm not the only person interested in this line of work. I'll take a look at DSP soon when I get a chance. When I asked one of my medic instructors about this his only response was something about law isn't his job and he would never put himself into a dangerous situation haha glad I didn't get the same response here.
 
Drwlemt said:
When I asked one of my medic instructors about this his only response was something about law isn't his job and he would never put himself into a dangerous situation haha...
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Different strokes for different folks. Honestly, my train of thought is pretty much the same, I am not an LE/ medic, but to each their own and that certainly doesn't make me the guy trying to deter someone from pursuing an option I'm not.

That's the great thing about this forum though, all walks of EMS life, networking, and see what your options are;).
 
VentMonkey said:
I asked about the DSP because I know it can be hit or miss with how much actual paramedicine some of these LE agencies provide vs. SAR with "paramedics" on board. Case, and point these guys below. Though,TMK, they do or can staff their helicopters with physicians from time to time, and if I was ever lost in the outskirts of LA County I would hope these guys found me.
They also recently got a whole new fleet of badassery...
http://www.policehelicopterpilot.com/los-angeles-sheriff-air-ops/
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seems parole is not the right field anymore ;)
STXmedic said:
The initial idea behind them was to have medically-trained officers that could get to an officer-down situation faster than an EMS unit who had to stage. They've since evolved into treating civilians when they arrive before EMS does (major MVCs, shootings, and assaults are pretty common runs they help on). They've actually been very successful with their program and have legitimately saved countless lives over the last 5 years that would've very likely died prior to EMS arriving.
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Do they have the same off-line protocols as "normal" medics do? or is their scope narrowed? because i know in NY i am able to be a medic on a "tactical team" but my scope consists of procedures that are <30 seconds (unofficial of course) but simple simple things, BLS airway, TQ, and thats just about it.
 
to be honest, i still don't know how to get into air ops LE, the NYS troopers run it, but i honestly can't find much other then the "what we do page" and i technically work for them >.<
 
NysEms2117 said:
Do they have the same off-line protocols as "normal" medics do? or is their scope narrowed? because i know in NY i am able to be a medic on a "tactical team" but my scope consists of procedures that are <30 seconds (unofficial of course) but simple simple things, BLS airway, TQ, and thats just about it.
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Most of them are EMTs, and actually have a fairly expanded scope. Medics are allowed to work at their full scope.
 
Drwlemt said:
Hi everyone,
New to the forum and wanted to see if anyone had any advice. I got out of the Marine Corps and got my basic and have worked with a 911 service for a couple years. I'm finishing up my AAS in emergency medicine soon and will be testing for EMT-P. I really enjoy doing EMS but I'm curious where I can go that'll allow me to work as a LEO and medic. I've talked to a Maryland Trooper recruiter and that's an option. I've also looked into BORSTAR but from what I'm seeing it looks like I would've been better off going straight into the boarder patrol out of the military instead of trying to go from EMS to the BP. talked to my local sheriff office and they don't utilize tactical medics and don't allow "moonlighting" or holding down a second job. Curious to see what other options are out there. Thanks in advance everyone.
Click to expand...

I made a post about BORSTAR in a thread awhile ago, can't really remember what the thread was called. I know you have to do a few years as a field agent before going to their school/academy.

Most CHP officers have some sort of medical training. You have officers that are mainly trained to the first responder level and EMT that are in patrol cars. CHP also has medics that will staff their helicopters. Also most SWAT teams here in So CAL have medics on the teams that are also officers.
 
MSP is dying for flight medics all the time. They have trouble with people wanting to go through their academy and be dual role personnel.

Like CALEMT said, unless BORSTAR has changed, it requires a minimum of several years as a standard officer, which would be 99.99% be on the US/Mexico border. You can then apply into what's essentially like an apprentice program to get into BORSTAR. Then you can try and specialize as a medical provider. It's been a few years since I looked but all of the BORSTAR medical teams were only on the US/Mexico border, but they were piloting a air rescue unit out of Buffalo, NY. The timeframe I was given was 5 years minimum to get a shot at starting into BORSTAR.
 
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