Naperville firefighters trained to be on scene for shootings, other dangers
A new team of Naperville firefighters has the training and gear to act almost like a SWAT team - minus the weapons.
The seven-person Tactical Emergency Medical Support team is the fire department equivalent of a SWAT team, ready to provide medical care in dangerous situations, Bureau Chief George Hyland said.
"They've been trained in all the weapons systems that the cops use, but they don't carry guns," Hyland said about the six men and one woman on the team. "Their mission is to treat the wounded."
The team was activated Jan. 6 but has not yet been tested in a real-life situation, Hyland said. It's meant to be on call for barricaded subjects, school shootings, active shooters in other locations or even potential terrorist attacks.
In such emergencies, Hyland said, it's difficult to get firefighters and paramedics close enough to immediately begin caring for the wounded. The police officers who are responding to a shooting, for example, are more focused on apprehending the shooter and stopping the violence than on helping anyone who already has taken a bullet.
"Now we have people who can take care of (the injured) right away and they (police) can focus on their mission," Hyland said.
Tactical Emergency Medical Support team members will be able to enter dangerous or unsecured locations because of their gear and training. They'll wear ballistic vests and helmets and carry bags full of trauma dressings to triage victims.
Training the seven firefighter/paramedics who make up the team to be certified in pre-hospital trauma life support by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians cost the department $12,000. Members, directed by team leader Lt. Steve Shink, also will be required to get 120 hours of training each year.
"They'll be dealing with different injuries than we would normally see on the street," Hyland said.
Equipment for the new team cost $4,500. The city's fire insurance board helped provide some of the money to start the initiative during a year when the city had to make cuts to balance its budget, Hyland said.
Even if the Tactical Emergency Medical Support team is not called into action often, Hyland said its value will be in providing extra medical know-how to the entire 200-plus member force.
"It's a proactive thing that we've done and it's a long time coming for us," Hyland said.
In addition to responding during emergencies, the team also will come in handy during large events when medical issues are likely to occur, such as Ribfest, the Last Fling or the Naperville Marathon.