Course Overview: This Tactical Paramedic course is designed to equip civilian Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers with the skills and knowledge necessary to respond effectively in high-risk, tactical, and hostile environments. This course will focus on the integration of EMS into tactical operations, providing life-saving medical care in situations such as active shooter events, mass casualty incidents, and other complex, dynamic scenes where law enforcement are involved.

Prerequisites:

• Valid EMT or Paramedic certification

• Previous EMS field experience is recommended but not required

• Basic understanding of trauma care

Course Objectives: Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the role of civilian EMS in a tactical setting and the importance of integration with law enforcement.

2. Demonstrate basic tactical medicine skills, including hemorrhage control, airway management, and rapid trauma assessments.

3. Apply tactical triage techniques in hostile or hazardous environments.

4. Recognize the unique challenges of providing medical care in high-stress, rapidly changing situations, and adjust treatment protocols accordingly.

5. Understand personal safety and risk management techniques during tactical operations.

6. Effectively communicate with law enforcement, military, and other first responders during joint operations.

7. Utilize appropriate gear and equipment for tactical medical response.

Course Content:

1. Introduction to Tactical Medicine:

• Overview of tactical EMS

• Differences between civilian and tactical EMS

• History and evolution of tactical medicine

2. Tactical Environment Considerations:

• Operational environment and threat assessment

• Personal protective equipment (PPE) and its importance

• Safety and situational awareness

• Packing Medical Equipment for the tactical environment

3. Trauma Management in Tactical Settings:

• Advanced hemorrhage control (tourniquets, hemostatic agents)

• Airway management in hostile environments

• Penetrating trauma and ballistic injuries

• Tactical trauma triage and mass casualty protocols

4. Tactical Response to Mass Casualty Incidents:

• Integration with law enforcement response

• Principles of triage under duress

• Managing casualties in dangerous environments

5. Teamwork and Communication in Tactical Operations:

• Effective communication with tactical teams

• Understanding command structure and roles in multi-agency operations

• Briefings and debriefings for operational success

Instructor Qualifications: Mike Schultz has extensive experience in tactical medicine, serving as a Combat Medic for 15+ years in the Iowa Army National Guard, deploying to Afghanistan in 2013 and 2017-18’. Mike also worked at the Medical Simulations Training Center at Camp Dodge, teaching Combat Medic Sustainment courses as well as Combat Lifesaver training. Mike also spent 3 years and the Regional Training Institute as a 68W (combat medic) instructor.

This course will prepare EMS providers to work in some of the most challenging and dangerous environments while keeping themselves, their team members, and the public safe during emergency medical operations.