It’s a typical movie scene…the bad guy is holed up in a house with hostages and officers have the place surrounded. Suddenly the big SWAT truck pulls up and out jumps…a firefighter? Okay, maybe it’s not a typical movie scene, but in real life, some firefighters are teaming up with officers, trading hoses for guns and bunker coats for bullet-proof vests. Meet the SWAT Medics; a group of medically and tactically trained firefighters who can provide immediate care to officers or victims wounded during a hostage situation, stand-off, or other special mission. Instead of waiting a few blocks away at a staging area, these medics are part of the team and can react immediately to life threatening situations.
Pinellas Park Fire Department embraced the SWAT Medic concept last year at the suggestion of Fire Chief Doug Lewis. Tryouts were held in October, with members of the Pinellas Park Police SWAT team putting firefighters through extensive exercises, obstacle courses, and scenarios that pushed them mentally and physically. After tryouts, three Pinellas Park firefighters qualified and went on to attend Basic SWAT School and SWAT Medic School before being placed on the team: EMS Lt. Mike Elder, Firefighter/Paramedic Shawn Conrad, and Firefighter/Paramedic Ryan Mitchell.
High stress and physical fitness are part of the job, and a SWAT medic must be able to function and give accurate medical care in hostile situations that traditionally trained medics may never encounter. In addition to treating injuries on scene, medics are responsible for keeping each SWAT team member healthy by making sure they take breaks and drink plenty of fluids during training and special operations to prevent over-heating and de-hydration. Pinellas Park SWAT Medics are weapons certified and train often at the shooting range, but are not armed. Their role when treating a downed officer or armed civilian is to know how to locate and remove the weapon and safely holster it. In some cases though, they may have to use a firearm to protect themselves or their patient.
The Pinellas Park Police SWAT team and the SWAT Medics train side by side ten hours a month. They are planning another tryout session for medics in October.
written by: Suzanne Boisvert, Public Education Specialist
