Abstract
Background
The benefits of Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) elements are providing injury
prevention, immediate care of injuries, and medical augmentation of the success of
dangerous law enforcement operations. TEMS is recognized by civilian Special Weapons
and Tactics (SWAT) and various other law enforcement agencies around the country as
a vital addition to such SWAT teams. The integration of specially trained TEMS personnel
has become a key component of law enforcement special operations.
Objective
Our aim was to review the published literature to identify if there is a role for
physicians within TEMS elements with regard to its establishment and progression,
and to characterize the level of physician-specific support provided in the tactical
environment for civilian tactical law enforcement teams.
Discussion
Physician presence as part of TEMS elements is increasing in number and popularity
as the realization of the benefits provided by such physicians has become more apparent.
The inclusion of physicians as active and participating members of TEMS elements is
a critical measure to be taken for tactical law enforcement units. Physicians provide
an added level of medical expertise to TEMS elements in rural and urban settings compared
with law enforcement personnel with medic training.
Conclusions
Physician involvement is an essential element of a successful TEMS program. There
is a need for more physicians to become involved as TEMS personnel for specialized
tactical teams to spread the time commitment and increase their availability to tactical
units on a daily basis.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 30, 2013
Accepted:
August 14,
2013
Received in revised form:
February 28,
2013
Received:
March 30,
2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
