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Tactical Medicine and Tactical Casualty Care
In California, two distinct categories exist for the medical support of law enforcement operations. The first is Tactical Medicine, and the second is broadly considered tactical casualty care (which is not considered tactical medicine.) Tactical casualty care can be further subdivided into tactical first aid and tactical lifesaver.In addition, significant progress has been made in improving the medical care in the tactical environment in California since 2008. As part of this process, EMSA and POST have standardized minimum curriculum and terminology to improve training consistency and public understanding
Three different levels of medical training in the tactical environment have been established:
- Tactical Medicine (TM)
- Tactical First Aid (TFA)
- Tactical Lifesaver (TLS)
These three levels are summarized in this chart
Tactical Medicine In California
POST/EMSA Tactical Medicine Guidelines and Regulations
Tactical Medicine Guidelines and Regulations have been established to guide tactical medical care.
- California Tactical Medicine Operational Programs and Standardized Training Recommendations
- POST Regulations for Tactical Medicine, including 1084
- POST and EMSA Approved Training Programs
Resources
Useful training and reference materials
- Tactical Casualty Care Assessment and Treatment Model - Pocket Card size (2010) [pdf]
- Medical Planning and Threat Assessment Checklist - Pocket Card size (2012) [pdf]
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs regarding Initial Training Programs, Refresher Courses, Tactical First Aid and Tactical LifeSaver courses (Non-Tactical Medicine Courses) and Law Enforcement agencies
- FAQs [pdf]
- Tactical Medical and Casualty Care Training Framework [pdf]
- Tactical Medical and Casualty Care Personnel Levels [pdf]
Tactical Equipment
These equipment suppliers have equipment that comes prepackaged to meet the POST/EMSA Tactical Medicine Guidelines as described in Chapter 4.0
For Further Information from EMSA
Please contact Daniel Smiley, Chief Deputy Director or David Smith, Senior Special Investigator.