Emergency Medical Training for Law Enforcement
Files
Date
2019
Authors
Shafer, D. Luke
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT)
Abstract
Description
Law enforcement officers are out in the community daily. They patrol city and county streets, highways and interstates making the world a safer place. They are first on scenes of many medical emergencies, such as automobile accidents, pedestrian accidents, and incidents. Often the only thing that they can do is radio for help. Officers have limited to no training in medical emergencies. Therefore, law enforcement agencies should implement training in emergency medical training for police officers.
Due to the very nature of law enforcement’s job, they are more likely to be the first on scene of gun shot wounds, stabbings, and other forms of trauma. Officers need to be trained on how to deal with these types of situations when only seconds can mean the difference between life or death. Trained officers will be able to stabilize and notify the emergency medical system (EMS) what they need to prepare for upon arrival. Officers will be able to start advanced life saving measures sooner, which will increase the chance for survival. There are training courses such as Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Emergency Care Attendant (ECA). Other courses are Tactical Emergency Medical Service (TEMS), Trauma Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), and Law Enforcement First Responder Training Program (LEFRTP).
Law enforcement agencies need to implement some type of medical training for their officers. Officers need to be properly prepared to deal with medical issues. The public expects officers to render some type of aide. The life they save could be theirs, their partners, or one of their loved ones.
Keywords
Police training, Emergency management, Medical emergencies