News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Cumberland County EMS team wants to save more lives through the creation of the region’s first Tactical EMS team.
The team will go with SWAT teams into tactical situations, like school shootings or hostage situations, to provide more immediate care. Paramedic Training Officer and Special Ops Unit Commander Daniel Coleman said the formation of the team could help prevent unnecessary loss of life.
“By allowing us to provide care immediately upon the incident, the best outcome is that we’re going to save lives in the end,” Coleman said. “That early medical care, that early bleeding control and early care that they receive at the beginning that is going to safe life on the back end.”
Coleman said the formation of the team came after an officer-involved shooting, when the officer was unable to receive immediate medical attention. Director Chris Miller brought the idea to the sheriff and to Coleman to try and prevent an incident of this nature again. Now, Coleman said the tactical team can provide care within two to three minutes of an incident.
The team is compromised of paramedics who all have years of experience and hours of special training.
“This team is 100 percent composed of paramedics, they provide extra time when they’re not on duty,” Miller said. “They come in on their off-time and volunteer to get the training and receive all the training they need. They are dedicated heart and mind to this team.”
Coleman said the paramedics learned courses from the Tennessee Army National Guard and that now two of its own members are trained instructors. While initially slightly hesitant about the idea of entering such dangerous situations, Coleman said the team is now trained, excited, and ready to serve Cumberland County.
