As much as we try to control what comes our way in life, for better or worse, things can change at the drop of a hat. Before these split second life changes occur, I believe that we can take action now to put ourselves in the best possible position when trouble arises.
Emergencies are rarely foreseeable, but giving trained public safety professionals the authority to perform life-saving measures during an emergency is a necessary step towards being prepared.
Monday, Governor Pence signed House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1111 into law, a bill I authored addressing tactical emergency medicine. HEA 1111 gives SWAT team officers, who are currently trained in tactical emergency medicine, the legal authority to use their trained skills to save a wounded victim.
With the enactment of this bill, trained SWAT professionals will have the authority to use their tactical medical skills during an emergency when EMTs are not present. The first SWAT team will now have the go ahead to act instead of waiting for others to assist them.
The bill allows for the practice of tactical emergency medicine if the individual:
1. is an emergency medical technician, an advanced emergency medical technician, or a paramedic;
2. is employed by a law enforcement agency or an emergency medical services agency to provide retrieval and field medical treatment to victims of violent confrontations; and
3. has successfully completed an accredited educational training program in tactical emergency medicine
Since these SWAT team officers are trained in tactical medical operations, it makes sense that they should be granted the necessary authority to treat a wounded victim. The quicker treatment can be provided, the better chance that victim has in a life or death situation.
Life is unpredictable. We can’t always control what happens. We can, however, control how prepared we are for emergency situations. The intent of this legislation is to put our public safety officials in the best possible position to save lives.
In addition to this bill, there will continue to be many more bills sent to the governor for his signature to become law. I encourage you to stay involved and active in the process. The last few weeks of session are fast paced and determine the fate of many legislative measures. Your engagement in the process is paramount to each issue.
If you have any other questions about this bill or any other legislation I have authored, please contact me via email at h76@in.gov or by phone at (317) 232Â-9671. I welcome your questions, comments and concerns.
Who wrote this article? It says “contact me” – but doesn’t say who “me” is.
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