Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) SWAT team, one of the most active in the country, routinely serves high-risk warrants and responds to barricade and hostage scenarios. Dr. Berkeley and Dr. Thompson serve as tactical physicians for the SWAT tactical medicine program, as do several of our trauma surgeons from UMC.
The tactical physicians are involved in the initial mission briefing with the SWAT team, which includes review of the schematic layout of the target location and the tactical plan. During each scene response, the physician and a tactical medic, who is also an officer with LVMPD's Search & Rescue, are deployed in a tactical rescue vehicle (TRV). The physicians wear body armor and are on-scene as the SWAT team clears the site, either dynamically (rapid breach entry, with possible use of explosives and/or distraction devices) or tactically (slow and methodical).
The tactical physicians are tasked to stabilize individuals on-scene with an injury or acute medical condition, utilizing the principles of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), with prioritization depending on the level of injury and the tactical situation. Dr. Berkeley and Dr. Thompson are actively involved with ongoing tactical medicine training, including simulated downed-officer and multiple casualty scenarios, advanced airway management skills labs, and live-fire exercises.
The tactical physicians are involved in the initial mission briefing with the SWAT team, which includes review of the schematic layout of the target location and the tactical plan. During each scene response, the physician and a tactical medic, who is also an officer with LVMPD's Search & Rescue, are deployed in a tactical rescue vehicle (TRV). The physicians wear body armor and are on-scene as the SWAT team clears the site, either dynamically (rapid breach entry, with possible use of explosives and/or distraction devices) or tactically (slow and methodical).
The tactical physicians are tasked to stabilize individuals on-scene with an injury or acute medical condition, utilizing the principles of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), with prioritization depending on the level of injury and the tactical situation. Dr. Berkeley and Dr. Thompson are actively involved with ongoing tactical medicine training, including simulated downed-officer and multiple casualty scenarios, advanced airway management skills labs, and live-fire exercises.
Tactical Medicine Day
Our residents get to experience a taste of tactical medicine while here in Las Vegas. Along with lectures on ballistics and tactical rescue, the residents have participated in tactical patient care scenarios including active shooter and mass casualty exercises during Tac Med Day. This augments the ballistics training that all residents receive during orientation, and serves as another opportunity for team-building and bonding among the EM residents.
