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Rescue Task Force Awareness Training
The standard fire/EMS response to active shooter incidents has been to stage in a secure location until law enforcement mitigates the threat and secures the area to create a safe scene for fire/EMS
operations. Unfortunately, while waiting for a secure scene, those injured during the incident aren't receiving care and are dying from their injuries. The Rescue Task Force (RTF) concept is designed to get lifesaving medical treatment to victims in “active
shooter” events much sooner than traditional deployment methods. It involves placing EMS providers in forward positions, protected by law enforcement, to provide emergency medical intervention immediately while efforts to secure the scene continue.
With a goal to save lives, the RTF concept focuses on the needs and care of victims, not responders. Known as “warm zone integration,” the RTF consists of EMS and law enforcement personnel who
work together to provide immediate basic medical care to victims—EMS members of the RTF work with law enforcement officers, in areas cleared by law enforcement personnel, to deliver immediate medical intervention for readily treatable injuries, such as severe
bleeding and airway compromise. The team then stabilizes victims for evacuation to definitive care. The RTF differs from Tactical EMS, which usually focuses on medical care for the responders.
In an effort to encourage implementation of the rescue task force concept in Ohio, the State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services (EMFTS) established an ad hoc committee
to pursue the development of awareness level training on the concept. The committee, consisting of EMS, fire, and law enforcement personnel completed development of the training in late 2017. The program was converted to a narrated online training module by
the Ohio Department of Public Safety in the first quarter of 2018. The goal of the training module is to provide EMS, fire, and law enforcement personnel with an awareness of the RTF concept, and to better understand the need for, and role of an RTF. It is
the foundational training that will prepare for additional operational level training required for RTF participation, should local EMS, fire, and law enforcement leaders decide to implement the rescue task force concept in their community.
All EMS providers are encouraged to login to the Ohio Department of Public Safety Training Campus (PSTC) to view the
Rescue Task Force Awareness Training Module (Catalog ID WBT906). The Public Safety Training Campus can be accessed via the Division of EMS website or via the following link:
https://trainingcampus.dps.ohio.gov/cm/cm710/pstc/pstc.html
Upon completion of the training module, students will have the opportunity to print a certificate of course completion. Students should keep a copy of the certificate in their files,
as successful completion can be used to fulfill current continuing education requirements, as well as meet future Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) requirements.*
Future Requirements
In order to ensure all EMS providers are aware of the RTF concept, the EMFTS Board has taken steps to require that all EMS providers receive the Rescue Task Force Awareness training*.
Effective with changes to the Ohio Administrative Code, planned for the first quarter of next year, the following will be implemented:
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Rescue Task Force Awareness training will be incorporated into Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) initial training.
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All EMS providers (EMR, EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic) will be required to view the
Rescue Task Force Awareness Training Module, with successful completion of the training credited toward continuing education (CE) necessary for certificate renewal.
Information on the changes to the EMR and EMT curricula and continuing education requirement will be provided once details have been finalized.
Questions regarding the Rescue Task Force Awareness training should be forwarded to the Division of EMS Education Section at 614.466.9447 or
EMSEducation@dps.ohio.gov.
*EMS providers will only be required to complete the Rescue Task Force Awareness training one time, either through an initial EMR or EMT course or online, in order to meet continuing education
requirements.
Melvin R. House
Executive Director
Ohio Department of Public Safety
Division of Emergency Medical Services
1970 W. Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43218-2073
(614) 466-9447
(614) 995-4752
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David N. Gerstner
Office
937.333.4551 I Fax 937.333.4561 I www.daytonohio.gov
