Bulldogmedic

I can see your point of view and think you have some good points. I also think that a medic is a great thing for a team. Think about this idea a team makes an entry an officer is hit do you really think with all the fire that the rest of the team is going to lay down is not going to neutralize the shooter. The officers are trained to circle and defend the injured officer and the medic. We can take care of them and when it is safe to move we will then take them to a safe zone for a responding unit. Now the same scenario the only medics are sitting 2 blocks away from the scene. When the officer is hit the team must call for that truck and wait for them to get to the safe zone all the while the injured officer is bleeding or not breathing. While they are doing this they are still trying to neutralize the shooter but they are not as focused because they have an injured officer that no one is caring for. Which case do you think they would be able to more effectively respond to the shooter?

You missed the point entirely all I am saying is that teams all over the country are adding medics in some form or fashion whether docs or paramedics. I don't think you need a mobile trauma center you do need all the essentials to stabilize the person as fast as you can. I can argue this until I am blue in the face and it will not matter because some of you will not look at the other side of the situation.

It sounds to me like you have a lot bigger issues with swat teams then whether or not medics need to be there. I am not sure why but hey everyone has an opinion. I hope you stay safe in Iraq and hope you all come home soon.

I agree that a medic with just a quick class does not need to be in the middle of the hot zone. That is why not only are we going to contoms we train with the team at every one of there trainings. I think that a medic can do a lot of good in the hot zone. Starting treatment there will shave time off of an officer possibly going hypoxic for so long if we can control the airway right there. As far as the long standoffs we are going to be right in the command post observing the team and making sure they are staying warm or cool and hydrated. We will already know quite a bit about each of the officers medical history and any special needs that might arise from that. We will know if they are on meds or have any allergies. I just think you are looking at one side and not considering the pros of the medic. I know from all my experience that a medic is not going to swoop in and snatch one from the jaws of death(very often anyway). I do think that if an officer was to go down that we would be right there to keep him from those jaws. Stay safe.

Ok so you don't think it is changing how many of the major swat teams out there do you think do not have some kind of medic? I know for a fact that the Dallas team has a physician on the team. Our medical director for our team was a doctor on several teams in the northeast and he is a contoms graduate. I am not sure why you are so against swat and the idea of medics on the team but I think you are totally off base. Think of how high crime rates are and tell me there is no need for such teams. I will stick to my ideas on this and continue to argue the idea. Stay safe out there.

Well first let me say thank you to all of you who are either currently serving or have served our great country. Now as far as the training I agree there are schools out there that have no business trying to teach anything but that goes with anything not just tactical classes. As far as a fad I don't think it is going to be I think it is turning into a specialty for medics that will be good for everyone. What makes you think that a major contact and blood shed will make me quit that is what we train for I am not saying that I wont be scared but I am confident in my skills and think I will do fine. I am not new to EMS at all I am a well experienced paramedic for a very busy service.I just want people to see the big picture before trying to bash something they know nothing about. Stay safe.

Well to start cleet is continuous law enforcement education what it means is that we will be reserve police officers. I am not sure as of yet that we will be armed even after we will just have to wait and see. As far as the warrant and being around the corner I can somewhat see you point, but lets say that we are on the entry team the first officer goes down the team then begins to take out the shooter while we start treatment of the officer. If that office is shot in the neck and needs airway control we can do that or whatever the needs are for the officer. We have special protocols that allow better treatment then on the street as well.On the other hand is a barricaded standoff where the team is there for hours or days even. When something like that occurs then we are responsible for the rotation of officers and keeping them healthy and alert. I agree that it is not for everyone we are lucky to have a good team of medics and officers. We are always learning new ways to defend ourselves and our team. I just think that the faster treatment is started the better. Stay safe.

I do agree with you that someone with no training should definitely not be in there but we are getting training and we train with the swat team every time they train which is twice a month. We will be going to cleet and might eventually carry guns but out primary objective is to care for the members of the team. I know that just going to a week long class will not make me an expert but that and continuous training will help. I could care less about the patches the NREMT offers. I am a paramedic and have been for about 8 years and been in EMS total for 10. All the medics on out team are well experienced and had to pass and application and interview process with the swat team. I just think that people should look into all the responsiblities of the team medic before saying there is no need for them.

I don't get it what do you all have against a medic being on a swat team? I am a member of a new medical team that is part of the swat team for you pd. We are new and will be going to cleet (police school) and also contoms. The officers are very confident in our skills as we are all paramedics. As far as the warrior medic thinking there is more to being a medic for a team then just to be there in the hot zone. We are responsible for all details of medical care for the team. We do things like monitor for changes in officers from heat and cold. We also do little things like treat headaches and sprains but we are there and will go into the hot zone if we are needed. So before you all keep bashing us medics then I suggest you do a little research so you have a clue what you are talking about.

Ok so this is my first time on this forum and am already a little upset. I do agree with most of the posts regarding the patch and all but I do have to disagree with asysin2leads. I am a new member of the swat team for our pd. We are not armed as of yet anyway but we are needed. We are there to serve the team they are more comfortable with us there and thus can do there job with more intensity because they know we are there if they get hurt. We are going to go to cleet and contoms. I think that this is a new area and people do not understand it. Before you bash the idea you might want to do a little research. Be safe.