Tactical medics, or tactical emergency medical services (TEMS), are trained responders who provide emergency medical care in tactical situations where traditional EMS providers cannot or should not enter.

2 Tactical medics receive specialized training and play a role in law enforcement operations when civilians, officers, or perpetrators of a crime are injured. In contrast to standard emergency medicine where the patient is the focus of the situation, tactical medicine allows specially trained EMS personnel to provide emergency life-saving care while the tactical situation develops, allowing law enforcement to complete the mission.

Whether the situation is a high-risk search warrant, an active shooter event, a barricade or hostage situation, or a bombing, the TEMS component is vital in today’s war on crime. This program provides general information on the role of the tactical medic, the types of emergency scenes to which a tactical medic responds, and the training and skills preparation specific to the position.

Featuring Bill Justice, Assoc. Director University of Oklahoma Center for Pre-hospital and Disaster Medicine