CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS (Tactical Emergency Medical Support-TEMS):

Nationally, law enforcement agencies at all levels have recognized the need for availability of emergency medical care within the tactical environment. The availability of a tactical emergency medical support (TEMS) program benefits all involved personnel. Special Operations officers are afforded rapid, appropriate clinical care, which increases their confidence and performance during emergency missions. Citizens exposed to these high-risk situations also benefit from the availability of emergency medical care, despite barriers that would normally prevent the delivery of EMS.

In addition, the department as a whole has a reduced liability posture, since the presence of a TEMS program would demonstrate that your agency is prepared to immediately and effectively deal with injuries which might result from these high-risk situations.

CUFS medics can provide medical coverage during both training and actual tactical operations. If your agency already has medical support, CUFS can ensure they are properly outfitted and trained to operate in this environment. Our medical personnel have law enforcement and military experience and are dedicated to protecting those who place themselves in harms way. Our training has prepared us for operating in an environment where operational security and evidence preservation are crucial.  We base our patient management on the recommendations of The Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care (CoTCCC).

The role of TEMS:

• Medical Control
• Medical Contingency Planning and Threat Assessment
• Operational Support
• Quality Improvement
• Team Health
• Training and Education
• Medical Equipment Oversight

CUFS medics may be deployed on all tactical missions. Medics report to the Tactical Supervisor on the scene for briefing. The medics monitor, maintain and brief the team members on environmental health factors that could degrade mission performance (i.e., weather conditions, identifiable safety hazards, or biological threats) as requested by the tactical commander.

The medics maintain a regular liaison with the fire service and other EMS resources assigned to the incident. Confidentiality of the ongoing police incident is always protected during and after the event, and only the necessary information to perform their function is conveyed to fire and EMS personnel outside the perimeter. The medics maintain direct radio contact with these assets to expedite their assistance, as required.

CUFS medics can be available to accompany the entry teams when assaults or quiet entries are conducted. In the event of a casualty, the medics provide only critical treatment (hemorrhage control) in a “hot” zone. The medics provide the team leader with the benefits and risks of stabilizing versus evacuating the patient. In most cases, the patient care “tactics” will be directed toward rapid packaging and movement to a safe area where more definitive care can be provided.

CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS (Operational Medical Support-OMS):

Standard medical training does not prepare you for the types of hazards that one may encounter in hostile environments.

CUFS medics can provide medical coverage during both training and actual operations or deployments. If your agency already has medical support, CUFS can ensure they are properly outfitted and trained to operate in this environment. Our training has prepared us for operating in many types of environments.

The role of OMS:

• Provide medical threat briefings prior to deployment.
• Monitor team health to ensure proper and safe performance. Continuous monitoring includes maintaining adequate hydration, hyperthermia and hypothermia prevention, and observation for performance decrements due to health conditions.
• Provide immediate emergency care in the event of an injury to a team member.
• Provide coordination with medical evacuation assets when required.
• Provide coordination with local medical resources.