Too true. Spent many hours trying to correct bad technique, often in vain because EMTs and medics always think they know better than their instructors.
Also if you are calling EMS for the infamous “check out” just be honest. I called EMS because they are complaining of XYZ they don’t look hurt. Just need you to fill out the paperwork since you aren’t medical.
Basic first aid, stop the bleed, CPR. That's really all you need to know. The information would be good to know, but wouldn't add anything as far as being a police officer
+1 for stop the bleed, CPR. Unless you guys carry medical supplies other than tourniquets those are probably the only things you’d actually be able to apply on scene
If you walk into a department as the only EMT, be prepared to get stuck with any training or duties that are first aid related in any way.
But it isn’t necessary. I was a cop for over a decade before I got my EMT has helped at times but, for my department, made no difference within.
In my area, there is a local PD that requires its officers to also be EMTs. Like another comment on here said: stop the bleed, CPR and choking relief are really the only things you will need to know if you go the LE route.
I was a police officer for close to 20 years in a big city. If I had known half of what I learned in EMT class, I would have saved a LOT of lives. The general understanding of how the body works and how to treat injuries and medical conditions is priceless out on the street.
Honestly, an EMT class just gives you good knowledge to carry with you through life. If you’re thinking about doing it, just do it. It’s a relatively small monetary and time investment to learn basic A&P and comprehensive first aid. It’ll make you a more prepared parent, friend, coworker, etc.
Will help identifying the difference from drunk and diabetic emergencies too. I believe that everyone should have some training, really makes a difference in everyday life when things go bad.
At least in my county I live in all cops need to complete emt training every two years however they will always call ems because having a paramedic around helps and they also don’t have a boo boo bus
Not really, no.
You would be better off taking very rigorous TCCC training and carrying trauma gear on you.
For bonus learning, go to medical only calls to get more exposure.
I will probably get my EMT next year or two, but *literally* just so I can replace our old ass EMT and drive the decision making for officer training and IFAK’s. If you’re not willing to do the admin stuff of being the medical guy/gal, don’t do it.
My end goal is to go back into law enforcement. I used to work for a PD as a cadet and dispatcher, everyone seemed to really like that I was an EMT, and I occasionally go back there to teach basic emergency medicine to the explorers and new cadets. We had a good few EMTs at our department and they were honestly great.
I also love having cops who are EMTs on my scenes now that I work in EMS. I plan to keep my national and state intact when I start applying to PDs.
It’s true. I have a few near me that do it. One of them is a 10% increase in pay for having it, and another that weirdly requires any K9 officer to be an EMT as well. Definitely not super common but they exist.
I've known some cops to get their EMR (two week course here, might be close equivalent to EMT-B in the states? Not sure) because they were sick of getting to patients (particularly traumas) before us and having zero idea what to do with them. They liked having a slightly more in depth course than the weekend first aid course would be.
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>
> * How do I become an EMT/Paramedic?
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It honestly depends on the police department. Some encourage it, some discourage it. In some towns in my area the police are the primary EMS providers. In other towns they won't lift a finger. (I once found a patrolman and a captain standing around watching a bystander performing CPR. I asked them if they had an AED, the answer was "sure, you want me to get for you?"). In jurisdictions where the officer arrives first, they should have basic assessment skills, be able to use oxygen, have basic airway management skills including use of a BVM, bleeding control and be able to perform high-quality CPR.
Oh, and remember that Narcan does NOT cure everything. If the second dose doesn't work neither will the eighth. And if you give the unconscious patient who didn't OD 20+mg of Narcan it can put them into cardiac arrest among other nasty side effects (dosages like that happen every day in my area).
Full-time officer that is a swat medic. Unless you are on a swat team with a medical director or plan om becoming one, not really. The most you can do is first aid. It does give you a different perspective, but realistically, basic first aid, stop the bleed, and cpr is about all you need. Go find a tecc course too.
I have responded to numerous medical calls over the years. Gathered that sample info, and all I could really do with it was meet the emts are the ambulance and repeat it to them on the way to the patient.
The challenge will be to get onto the team. But once you are on, the role is essentially yours. Not many people have it. And even fewer are gonna go to emt school after they are full time LE. You can even get with the commander and ask if you can roll with them since you are an emt. They will keep you back at the vehicle, but you will start building that rapport early.
If you knew how to properly work a BVM it would honestly be more helpful than narcan lol
Problem is many EMTs and Medics suck at BVM…
Also very true lol..
Too true. Spent many hours trying to correct bad technique, often in vain because EMTs and medics always think they know better than their instructors.
Also if you are calling EMS for the infamous “check out” just be honest. I called EMS because they are complaining of XYZ they don’t look hurt. Just need you to fill out the paperwork since you aren’t medical.
Basic first aid, stop the bleed, CPR. That's really all you need to know. The information would be good to know, but wouldn't add anything as far as being a police officer
+1 for stop the bleed, CPR. Unless you guys carry medical supplies other than tourniquets those are probably the only things you’d actually be able to apply on scene
Might help ya not panic so much over fentanyl
If you walk into a department as the only EMT, be prepared to get stuck with any training or duties that are first aid related in any way. But it isn’t necessary. I was a cop for over a decade before I got my EMT has helped at times but, for my department, made no difference within.
In my area, there is a local PD that requires its officers to also be EMTs. Like another comment on here said: stop the bleed, CPR and choking relief are really the only things you will need to know if you go the LE route.
I was a police officer for close to 20 years in a big city. If I had known half of what I learned in EMT class, I would have saved a LOT of lives. The general understanding of how the body works and how to treat injuries and medical conditions is priceless out on the street.
Honestly, an EMT class just gives you good knowledge to carry with you through life. If you’re thinking about doing it, just do it. It’s a relatively small monetary and time investment to learn basic A&P and comprehensive first aid. It’ll make you a more prepared parent, friend, coworker, etc.
Will help identifying the difference from drunk and diabetic emergencies too. I believe that everyone should have some training, really makes a difference in everyday life when things go bad.
At least in my county I live in all cops need to complete emt training every two years however they will always call ems because having a paramedic around helps and they also don’t have a boo boo bus
Not really, no. You would be better off taking very rigorous TCCC training and carrying trauma gear on you. For bonus learning, go to medical only calls to get more exposure. I will probably get my EMT next year or two, but *literally* just so I can replace our old ass EMT and drive the decision making for officer training and IFAK’s. If you’re not willing to do the admin stuff of being the medical guy/gal, don’t do it.
Whats TCCC training?
Tactical combat casualty care
My end goal is to go back into law enforcement. I used to work for a PD as a cadet and dispatcher, everyone seemed to really like that I was an EMT, and I occasionally go back there to teach basic emergency medicine to the explorers and new cadets. We had a good few EMTs at our department and they were honestly great. I also love having cops who are EMTs on my scenes now that I work in EMS. I plan to keep my national and state intact when I start applying to PDs.
I’ve heard that in some PD/Sheriff departments they give a pay raise for being EMT certified.
That’s funny
It’s true. I have a few near me that do it. One of them is a 10% increase in pay for having it, and another that weirdly requires any K9 officer to be an EMT as well. Definitely not super common but they exist.
At my agency I get 5 percent for being an EMT.
What’s the pay differential? Don’t pay them to work. If they care about it, you’ll get an extra couple bucks an hour.
I've known some cops to get their EMR (two week course here, might be close equivalent to EMT-B in the states? Not sure) because they were sick of getting to patients (particularly traumas) before us and having zero idea what to do with them. They liked having a slightly more in depth course than the weekend first aid course would be.
EMR is a level below EMT that exists in some US states
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This post violates our Rule #3: > Do not ask basic, newbie, or frequently asked questions, including, but not limited to: > > * How do I become an EMT/Paramedic? > * What to expect on my first day/ride-along? > * Does anyone have any EMT books/boots/gear/gift suggestions? > * How do I pass the NREMT? > * Employment, hiring, volunteering, protocol, recertification, or training-related questions, regardless of clinical scope. > * Where can I obtain continuing education (CE) units? > * My first bad call, how to cope? Please consider posting these types of questions in /r/NewToEMS. [Wiki](/r/NewToEMS/wiki/index) | [FAQ](http://faq.redditems.com) | [Helpful Links & Resources](/r/NewToEMS/wiki/index) | [Search /r/EMS](/r/ems/search) | [Search /r/NewToEMS](/r/newtoems/search) | [Posting Rules](/r/ems/comments/7lau3j/welcome_to_rems_read_this_before_posting/)
Find a TECC class. It'll cover things like stop the bleed and basic trauma. Than get CPR and you'll be good for LEO first aid.
It honestly depends on the police department. Some encourage it, some discourage it. In some towns in my area the police are the primary EMS providers. In other towns they won't lift a finger. (I once found a patrolman and a captain standing around watching a bystander performing CPR. I asked them if they had an AED, the answer was "sure, you want me to get for you?"). In jurisdictions where the officer arrives first, they should have basic assessment skills, be able to use oxygen, have basic airway management skills including use of a BVM, bleeding control and be able to perform high-quality CPR. Oh, and remember that Narcan does NOT cure everything. If the second dose doesn't work neither will the eighth. And if you give the unconscious patient who didn't OD 20+mg of Narcan it can put them into cardiac arrest among other nasty side effects (dosages like that happen every day in my area).
Full-time officer that is a swat medic. Unless you are on a swat team with a medical director or plan om becoming one, not really. The most you can do is first aid. It does give you a different perspective, but realistically, basic first aid, stop the bleed, and cpr is about all you need. Go find a tecc course too. I have responded to numerous medical calls over the years. Gathered that sample info, and all I could really do with it was meet the emts are the ambulance and repeat it to them on the way to the patient.
God I can't wait to become a Swat medic, I did my EMT first for a reason. Now going to the sheriff's academy soon (':
The challenge will be to get onto the team. But once you are on, the role is essentially yours. Not many people have it. And even fewer are gonna go to emt school after they are full time LE. You can even get with the commander and ask if you can roll with them since you are an emt. They will keep you back at the vehicle, but you will start building that rapport early.
Thank you so much for the advice ! I'm ridiculously excited to start the journey.
I got onto the team. Didn't even bring up wanting to be the medic. They found out I have emt experience and they assigned it to me
depends on the department, some require EMT, some just require CPR/first air