What is tactical medicine?

     Tactical medicine is a relatively new subspecialty in EMS. A medical care provider is placed with or close to law enforcement personnel during high-risk operations. Tactical medicine is rapid, on-site medical care to injured team members, bystanders, or suspects, consisting of treatment until they can be transported to definitive medical care or until the operation is complete. Similar to medical corpsmen in the armed forces, tactical medics give medical care in forward areas where conventional EMS, lacking the necessary training and equipment, cannot or should not venture.

The medical care thus provided can reduce the incidence of injury and death while increasing the morale of tactical officers. Tactical medics must be proficient in pre-hospital medical skills, know law enforcement tactics, movement, and weapons effects; be able to gain access to and communicate with EMS providers and hospital personnel; and be prepared and equipped to participate in tactical operations.

What is the UMH-MICU TMU?

     The UMH-MICU Tactical Medic Unit is a core group of highly experienced paramedics providing medical support for all types of adverse situations. These situations include, but are not limited to, law enforcement support for tactical situations, support for technical rescue situations, mass casualty incidents, and stand-by for dignitary events. Prospective members are selected through a nomination process by current members of the team. Upon nomination, candidates are asked to complete an application, take a physical agility test, undergo a background check, and interview with team leaders. Upon successful completion of the process, candidates are placed in the orientation program. The orientation process includes: exposure to tactical theory, situations, and scenarios; orientation to the unique equipment of the team; review of advanced skills that may be utilized on special assignments; security and confidentiality requirements of the team; and the unique protocols of the teams we support.

The UMH-MICU Tactical Medic Unit consists of three teams of members who volunteer for this special duty. Each team rotates through two weeks of on call coverage in which members are responsible for responding to emergent and scheduled assignments. Training takes place monthly and includes both joint programs with law enforcement and rescue agencies as well as specific drills related to advanced life support and technical rescue.

How has this team evolved?

     The UMH-MICU Tactical Medic Unit began to supplement the Gloucester County SWAT team in the late 1980s. The program initially began to prevent our primary service units from being committed to these assignments, creating potential delays in 911 response, as well as to provide medical support to the Gloucester County Team.

It has since evolved into a multidisciplinary team who supports not only law enforcement efforts, but also those of rescue and emergency management agencies. The Unit's focus is to provide services which are not routinely available on standard 911 responses.

For more information about the TMU contact:

Scott Haines

TMU Coordinator

(856) 384-1000 Ext. 225