The Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS) Unit was developed in 1998 after a medical support needs assessment was completed by Lt. David Weaver and Captain Jerry Little. The selected model is based on options recommended by the National Tactical Officers Association which were presented during training of our personnel by Rich Carmona, M.D. , the N.T.O.A. Section Chair for TEMS.

The primary mission of the TEMS unit is to prevent illness and injury to SRT team members and the Department's Bomb Squad by closely monitoring their individual health status as well as the potential effects that the tactical operations environment may have on team performance. In addition, the TEMS contingent conducts medical threat assessments for mission planning, functions as medical liaison with receiving facilities and transporting agencies and provides close availability and immediate access to advanced medical care for team members and civilians within the inner perimeter during tactical operations. 

All TEMS medical personnel have completed the N.T.O.A. TEMS course and additional required training provided by Sgt. Sonny Garcia and other SRT members including, firearms qualifications, less lethal weapons, self defense tactics, light-sound diversionary devices, dynamic movement and team tactics. TEMS personnel serve as non-commissioned medical members of the tactical team and each brings with them their own unique skills including; trauma nursing, dive rescue, high/low angle/confined space rescue, firefighting, HAZMAT and a broad spectrum of advanced medical and rescue certifications.

The TEMS unit provides a minimum of two paramedics and an additional EMT-B or Intermediate EMT for every mission. Recent missions and training exercises have included dignitary protection, extraordinary deployment (MCI) planning, and explosives disposal. The medics also routinely provide Basic Life Support and Self Treatment/Self Rescue training to the officers of the Special Response Team.

The Dona Ana County SRT TEMS unit will continue to evolve, improve and change its role and mission capabilities due to the dynamic nature and the challenge of providing medical care in the tactical law enforcement environment.

For more information about Tactical Emergency Medical Services, e-mail our TEMS Coordinator, Paramedic Tom Townsend.

More reading? See The Combat Medic's Prayer and
"Medics:Up!" a breif history of Tactical Medics