Introduction to TMOG

Mississippi is one of the first states in the country to have an organization committed to Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS). The Tactical Medical Operators Group (TMOG) of Mississippi (www.tmog.org) is dedicated to training, support and medical direction to tactical medics and SWAT operators within the state of Mississippi. In early winter of 2001, a group of tactical medical officers, paramedics and physicians participated in a series of meetings with a single goal in mind - to form an association of tactical medical officers in Mississippi. When the smoke cleared, the Tactical Medical Operators Group of Mississippi was born and incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation.

This new association was established to promote and to encourage educational activities and research related to the medical and law enforcement field. It also would afford an opportunity for tactical medical officers to gather together to compare ideas and experiences. Through education and standardization, it was hoped that Law Enforcement Departments around our state involved in high-risk operations, would become safer with the utilization of tactical medical support.

TEMS at its most basic level its the administration of a program designed maintain the health, welfare and safety of tactical operators. This involves a much broader definition of care than traditional EMS employees. There is a component of TEMS that is tied to the military concept of far forward care, however most of our mission and activity is well in advance of any operation.

Many are familiar with the military model of a "medic." Military special operations forces have brought this concept to a new level. Being found in situations separating operators from rear echelon security and medical care necessitated new roles for the medic. This broadening of roles is mirrored in the comparison between TEMS operators and traditional EMS providers.

Following the advent of SWAT in the late 60's and early 70's, most medical support for these high-risk operations was limited to stand by EMS and fire rigs. Several notable exceptions including the LA County Sheriff SWAT team endeavored to have integral medical support available for their operations. However it has only been in the last 10-12 years that TEMS has really begun to emerge as a standard of care in the tactical arena. National conferences were held in 1989 and 1990. Representatives from law enforcement, emergency medicine and EMS began to develop consensus relating to the provision of medical support to tactical law enforcement teams.

In 1990 the Counter Narcotics and Tactical Operational Medical Support (CONTOMS) course was introduced. The National Tactical Officer's Association developed a TEMS curriculum as did Texas A&M. Several others including H&K have maintained TEMS courses nationwide. In 1993 the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) published a position statement in support of TEMS. It read in part, "The provision of TEMS has emerged as an important element of tactical law enforcement operations..." and in January 1999, National Association of EMS Physicians forms TEMS task force to look at TEMS issues.

Out of Mississippi has come the first collection of peer reviewed medical literature on the subject, the first nationally funded free training for tactical medics, the nations first statewide medical control for tactical medics. Our meetings are open to all those that our interested in our goals. Membership opportunity is openly extended to all. We are dedicated to bringing our knowledge and skill to bear in the tactical environment. We invite you to join us, and become apart of a growing field of professionals.


John M Croushorn MD, Founder
Tactical Medical Operators Group of Mississippi

Our Colors Its shape is that of a Roman shield considered to be the strongest heavy shield employed in battle in ancient times. Put side by side they were impenetrable. This symbol of strength is the under-girding of our mission. We provide for the well-being and health maintenance of our warrior brothers. We secure their safety in planning as well as shielding our community and those innocents who find themselves at the wrong place at the wrong time. We are protectors. The center of the shield and the foundation of our identity is the blue Star of Life symbolizing our heritage in EMS. For over 30 years tactical medicine has taken its root in pre-hospital care. We do not operate apart from the existing EMS infrastructure. We endeavor to bring the standard of care currently offered in pre-hospital setting to the most dangerous of environments, the tactical one. We are pre-hospital medical providers. The two elements on the Star of Life are our shield of colors and a sword. The colors on the shield are red, black and white. A red stripe across the center symbolizes our belief that bleeding is our largest enemy in the tactical arena. Of those that die in the tactical environment that can be saved, most will rely on adequate control of bleeding. The black stripes on either side of the red stripe stand for the dark, austere conditions we must be prepared to operate in. The white lines that separate them remind us of the purity of our mission. The sword is for the priority of our mission. It lies on top of the shield and Star of Life because the tactical mission always precedes the medical mission. We are tactically minded. The phrase, "Medicina Cum Justitia," means "Medicine with or alongside of Justice." Our role is not independent of justice it goes hand in hand signifying that true justice is more than enforcing law, it is protecting our communities, families and homes. We are Tactical Medical Operators.

Committees

Several committees have been formed to pursue the organization's missions. Category I members are invited to be involved in any of the areas below or suggest new initiatives to pursue.

State Organization Committee

This was the first committee formed. Its purpose was to research and pursue the details required to initiate this organization. All that is contained here is the result of that first committee, which will conclude its official activities when the first election occurs. All of its functions will be turned over to the elected officers and board of directors at that time.

State EMS and Medical Control Committee

Raising the awareness of physicians who provide medical control of the issues unique to the tactical environment and dealing with issues pertinent to the State Board of EMS defines the role of this committee. As issues arise this committee provides necessary resources to address concerns of physicians, medics, municipalities and other interested parties as to how the tactical medic operates. Most of the committee's actions are focused to education and defining infrastructure to support Tactical EMS.

Training Committee

This committee focuses on two broad categories of training. The first involves training directed toward Tactical Medics and second is training that could be offered to SWAT/SRT operators. TMOG is dedicated to TEMS training and used a training event in February 2002 to kick off our first membership drive. Dr. Richard Carmona, the TMES section chief for the NTOA brought a team of TEMS instructors to Jackson to deliver the NTOA Basic TEMS course. It was hosted by FBI SWAT Jackson at their range facilities.

Training events are planned and scheduled and staffed by this committee. Along with TEMS oriented training for Medics this committee also focuses on the basic TEMS knowledge that would benefit each SWAT operator in the field. From specifying equipment to instructing how to use it, this committee defines the information to be taught.

Grant Committee

The grant committee exists to explore sources of income for training, equipment and logistic expenses. From federal grants to local municipalities to corporate sponsors, this committee looks for financial partners interested in raising the level of care for our communities. This committee is also responsible for providing accountability for money directed to our organization.

DRMO Committee

The 1033/DRMO program exists to funnel existing military surplus to those that need it most. This committee identifies needs and resources available to tactical operator/medics within our state. It has suggested that a list of needs be prepared that could be circulated to the regional DRMO officer, and local/regional military bases for certain medical supplies and other equipment that could aid in the application of TEMS in our state. Among other things mentioned that have been attained through DRMO by participants in the meeting: Lifepack 10 monitor, Filled O2 cylinders, Bandages, KEDs, Gas Masks, nomex clothing, kevlar helmets, an ambulance.

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