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Special Operations Division |
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The Pro EMS Special Operations Division is composed of motivated and extensively trained paramedics and emergency medical technicians, whose purpose is to respond to the myriad of emergency situations and incidents that fall outside of the conventional, routine operations of the company. This will include, but is not limited to, incidents generating mass casualty, rehabilitation and emergency medical care at the scene of a structure or other major fire, medical monitoring at hazardous materials and bomb incidents, and staffing and planning for a variety of special events.
Our goal is to provide the highest level of specialized care to the citizens and visitors of the City of Cambridge, as well as the surrounding communities.
Basic information regarding function, structure, command, and membership will be discussed in this brief overview. More detailed standard operating procedures and policies will be developed and implemented as the division continues to grow and evolve.
II. Command Structure
The Special Operations Supervisor has supervisory authority during training exercises, emergency incidents, and other operations involving the division. This position is held by a field supervisor appointed by the CEO and reports to the director or operations. The special operations supervisor is responsible for all aspects of the division, including policy development and implementation, training, and direct coordination of all division activities.
III. Membership
A. Eligibility
Participation in the special operations division is open to any paramedic or emergency medical technician field provider employed by Pro EMS, provided the requirements listed in this section are satisfied.
B. Training requirements
Members of the special operations team should consider routine training essential to their position, and as such, members should strive to participate in as many training sessions as possible. Training sessions vary in nature and cover a variety of fields and specialties.
Two identical training sessions will occur every month, each lasting approximately 2 – 5 hours in duration. These sessions are duplicated to accommodate member’s varied schedules, to assure that every member has a similar education.
Members must meet a 75% attendance rate (9 sessions out of 12 yearly). Members are welcome to attend identical sessions in the same month, however this does not count in place of absence in another month’s session. Unique and unavoidable issues with attendance may be settled by direct consultation with the special operations officer.
Notifications of training dates and locations will be provided one month in advance by email and posting in dispatch and/or other familiar locations at base.
Occasionally, full division training sessions will occur, where all members will be required to attend, as field staffing levels allow. There are expected to be 2 – 4 full division training sessions per year.
C. Availibility
Members of the special operations team are required to carry their activated, company issued pager 24-hours per day. If any situation requires division activation or a call back of off-duty members, a detailed page will be sent out.
Members are required to call Pro EMS base, and inform dispatch of their status: whether or not they will be responding to base, and their estimated time of arrival.
Any member who is unable to respond to 80% of division activations will be excluded from the team.
D. Benefits
There is no raise in pay-scale associated with membership in the special operations division. Members will be compensated at their regular, overtime, or emergency overtime rate (whatever applies dependant on the situation and hours worked) during operations and training sessions.
Members benefit by receiving specialized training that could potentially further their career in public safety. Continued participation in the special operations division shows a dedication to the advancement and greater good of the company and the people we serve.
IV. Division Responsibilities
A. Mass Casualty Incident Response and Mitigation
The potential for an incident generating mass casualty in the metro-Boston area exists, and specialized training is needed to prepare EMS providers for such an event.
Members of the special operations division will be trained and educated in all EMS oriented incident command roles, S.T.A.R.T. triage, patient extraction, treatment and transportation area operations, and patient tracking software and hardware.
A comprehensive overview of operations and procedures relating to incidents generating mass casualty can be found in the appendix.
B. Emergency Incident Rehabilitation
As the EMS provider to the city of Cambridge, Pro EMS is responsible for providing rehabilitation to firefighters (following defined assessment and treatment algorithms) and emergency medical care on the scene of a structure or other major fire. When possible, members will deploy and utilize the incident support unit, or Paramedic-10, for this purpose.
A comprehensive overview of operations and procedures relating to emergency incident rehabilitation can be found in the appendix.
C. Medical Monitoring and Rehabilitation at HazMat & Bomb Incidents
Paramedic members of the special operations division will be trained to provide medical monitoring (following defined assessment and treatment algorithms, pre-entry and post-activity) to Cambridge Fire, Cambridge Police, and personnel of other participating agencies, where the use of Level B (or greater) protection is required.
A comprehensive overview of operations and procedures relating to medical monitoring can be found in the appendix.
Note: Rehabilitation may occur concomitantly during these incidents.
D. Major Fire “Standby”
Members of the special operations division would deploy the incident support unit during any major fire, to provide care, shelter, clothing, and meet any other emergent need of displaced or injured occupants.
A comprehensive overview of operations and procedures relating to establishment of the incident support unit can be found in the appendix.
E. Major Event Coverage
The city of Cambridge is host to numerous annual events which involve large gatherings of people and potential for a variety of emergency situations.
Members of the division and supervisory staff will collaborate to design and implement optimal EMS operations and “pre-plans,” taking into consideration all appropriate factors.
A comprehensive overview of operations and procedures relating to special events can be found in the appendix.
V. Equipment
The Special Operations Division utilizes the highest quality equipment to complete its mission. This begins with the SOD vehicle, unit designation 220, a custom Ford F-350 Crew Cab pickup truck with a Leer cap. This vehicle is equipped with an Extendo Bed roll out equipment tray, Whelen LED lights and siren, Motorola radios, a Uniden scanner, and Panasonic Toughbook laptop computer.
The equipment 220 carries is just as important as the vehicle itself. The unit is completely self supporting, carrying a 2000 watt Honda generator with power cords and multiple types of lighting, an assortment of tools, and towing equipment. A 10 foot by 15 foot EZ-UP shelter provides a shelter and base of operations when in the field. For rehabilitation, the unit uses Morning Pride limb immersion chairs, misting fans, and coolers stocked with bottled water and sports drinks. Cots, folding chairs, and benches are also carried to provide a spot for those being rehabbed to sit and rest. For MCI incidents the unit carries a complete
set of MCI flags, vests, spare tags, and a command board, as well as a Multilator oxygen delivery device. In case of displaced fire victims, the unit carries two bags of various sized clothing and shoes to hand out for comfort and warmth. Finally, and most importantly, 220 is a Class V ambulance and carries a full set of Advanced Life Support equipment, including a Zoll AutoPulse and Masimo Rad-57 CO Oximeter.
Questions about the Special Operations Division can be sent to its supervisor, Derek Hirons, at dhirons@proems.com.
