CONTOMS

The COUNTER NARCOTICS AND TERRORISM OPERATIONAL MEDICAL SUPPORT (CONTOMS) Program was started in 1990 to meet the need for specialized medical training to support law enforcement special operations. EMT-Tactical (EMT-T), the cornerstone of the program, is a 1-week, 56-hour continuing education module for medical personnel supporting special response teams.

Law enforcement remains a dangerous occupation. A total of 1,559 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty during the past 10 years, an average of one death every 56 hours or 156 per year. There were 127 law enforcement officers killed in 2012. On average, more than 58,000 law enforcement officers are assaulted each year, resulting in over 17,000 injuries. Our own data suggests that SWAT Team members are at high risk for injury, sustaining a casualty rate as high as 9 per 1,000 officer-missions.

Law enforcement and the military services have long recognized that medical support of special operations can enhance the probability of mission success. This type of support requires a unique, additional expertise, which is complementary to the basic qualifications of pre-hospital health care providers. Community emergency medical services (EMS) systems in the United States and abroad were developed to respond to the needs of individual patients in controlled situations. However, in some locales, emergency medical technicians trained for the EMS role have been pressed into service to support counter terrorism, drug interdiction and other law enforcement activities without any additional training. These activities have become increasingly specialized in nature, characterized by prolonged operations, organized opposing forces, use of military-type weapons, and increasing death and injury among law enforcement officers, perpetrators, and innocent citizens.

The goal of the CONTOMS Program is to offer a nationally standardized curriculum, certification process, and quality improvement procedure to meet the needs of those EMTs, paramedics, and physicians who operate as part of a law enforcement team. Additionally, the Program tracks data to ensure that the educational efforts are evidence-based, so that it meets the dynamic needs of the law enforcement and EMS communities. Finally, the program faculty is available for consultation to Federal, State, and local agencies to help meet immediate requirements, solve urgent problems, or conduct needs assessments.

EMT-T Course

Course Overview

EMT-Tactical (EMT-T), the cornerstone of the program, is a 1-week, 56-hour continuing education module for providers who are already trained at the EMT-B level or higher. Candidates must be sponsored by a bona fide special response team. The training includes classroom work, practical skills laboratories, and a Field Training Exercise (FTX).

Topics covered include:

Medical Threat Assessment
Downed Officer Rescue
Care Under Fire
Special Equipment and Kits
Toxic Hazards
Medical Support of Specific Operations

Student Selection: Due to the competitive nature of admission to this school, submission of all application materials does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Students who meet submission criteria and who are selected for seating in the school will be notified of acceptance directly by email.

Pre-requisites and Requirements:

Agency Sponsorship: All candidates must provide a signed letter of sponsorship on official agency letterhead from a bona fide law enforcement agency, public service agency, or military command. The content of the letter should attest to the candidate’s affiliation with the agency in the provision of medical support for a specialized team and the need for this training in the furtherance of that agency’s mission.

Required Items: The uniform of the day will be the tactical uniform of your department. If you do not have a department-issued uniform, then you should wear standard black or camouflage BDU fatigues. Tactical boots, portable hydration system, sun block, and rain gear are essential items.

It is required that you bring and train with your own tactical gear. Items that will be needed for training include: ballistic helmet, eye protection, duty belt, gloves, body armor, and gas mask. While you may bring your own medical equipment for comparison and discussion, medical training supplies for the class will be provided.

Prohibited Items: Realistic but safe training is a fundamental tenet of this program. No weapons, guns, knives, cutting tools, Leatherman tools, OC spray, or other similar items will be permitted onsite at this course. If you are required to have duty equipment with you as part of your official responsibilities, please notify the CONTOMS staff at registration so that we can coordinate appropriate secure storage. Possession of these items at any point during the training is grounds for immediate dismissal from the course.

Medical Certification: Current medical license certification (as an EMT-B, EMT-P, RN, MD, etc.) is required for participation in this class. Please bring your current medical license with you for verification during registration on the first day of the class.

Background Check: Please be aware that all participants will be required to provide personal information (e.g., full name, DOB, SSN) necessary for a criminal background check during registration on the first day of class. The collected information will be destroyed at the conclusion of the background checks. This requirement is necessary to ensure a safe training environment for all participants and to protect the integrity of the course.

Refund Policy: Admission to this school is competitive. Cancellations and refund requests must be received within seven (7) days of notification of acceptance. Cancellations received after this deadline may not qualify for a refund.

Fitness Note: The EMT-T Course requires strenuous physical activity, especially during the field exercises. Applicants who are not in excellent physical condition and do not participate in a regular physical conditioning program should seek the approval of their physician before participating.

To register for the EMT-T Course, visit the CONTOMS/CHEP website.

Medical Director's Course

Course Overview

The Medical Director's Course is an eight-hour course designed for physicians and others who provide medical control for pre-hospital personnel operating with tactical law enforcement teams. This course details the rationale and scientific basis for modified standards and scope of practice in the tactical environment. Key topics include:

Background for TEMS practice
Modifications in medical procedures and philosophy for care in the tactical environment
TEMS Protocol development
Step-by-step development of a TEMS program
Quality assurance mechanisms
Role of the physician in TEMS
Controversial issues in TEMS
Tactical Commander's perspective on TEMS

Student Selection: Due to the competitive nature of admission to this school, submission of all application material does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Students who meet submission criteria and who are selected for seating in the school will be notified of acceptance directly by email.

Pre-requisites and Requirements:

Completion and submission of the online Registration form.

**Please be aware that all participants will be required to provide personal information (e.g. full name, DOB, SSN) necessary for a criminal background check during registration on the first day of class. the collected information will be destroyed at the conclusion of the background checks. This requirement is necessary to ensure a safe training environment for all participants and to protect the integrity of the course.

Required Items: The uniform of the day will be business casual.

Fitness Items: There is not a fitness advisory for this course.

To register for the Medical Director's Course, visit the CONTOMS/CHEP website.

EMT-T Advanced

The CONTOMS EMT-T Advanced Course is a 4-day immersion experience that picks up where the EMT-T Provider Course ends. The course is designed to provide in-depth training in Hot Zone, Warm Zone, and Cold Zone Operations through realistic, hands-on exercises and scenarios.

The schedule includes:

Day 1: Hot Zone Care

Specialized Extraction and Rescue Tactics (SERT) is an 8-hour block of instruction utilizing simunitions-based scenario training to focus on a variety of techniques to remove victims out of harm’s way during tactical operations.

Day 2: Warm Zone Care

Critical Procedures is a 4-hour block of instruction utilizing cadaver-based training to focus on a number of lifesaving medical interventions. K-9 Care is a 4-hour block of instruction focusing on key interventions to provide emergency care for law enforcement working dogs

Day 3: Cold Zone Care

Sick Call Care is a 4-hour block of instruction focusing on assessment and treatment of common illness encountered during routine care of team members and during extended operations.

Human Performance Concepts is a 4-hour block of instruction focusing on optimizing training and preventative strategies for the tactical athlete.

Course Registration Policies and Procedures:

Pre-requisites and Requirements:

1. Completion and submission of the online Registration form

2. Applicants must have completed the EMT-T Provider course through CONTOMS or another equivalent course. It is at the discretion of the CONTOMS Program whether or not a course is deemed equivalent. Applicants will need to provide the course agenda and proof of completion of the other course. Documentation of completion of the CONTOMS EMT-T Provider course should be provided as well. This paperwork should be digitally scanned and sent at the time of registration via e-mail to Melody Buchanan at mbuchanan@chepinc.org. Applications for this course will not be considered complete without submission of this documentation

3. Please be aware that all participants will be required to provide personal information (e.g., full name, DOB, SSN) necessary for a criminal background check during registration on the first day of class. The collected information will be destroyed at the conclusion of the background checks. This requirement is necessary to ensure a safe training environment for all participants and to protect the integrity of the course.

4. Applicants will need to submit a signed and authorized letter of affiliation from their sponsoring agency on agency letterhead stating that the applicant works with the agency and has a legitimate need for this training based on that work. The letter of affiliation should be digitally scanned and sent at the time of registration via e-mail to Melody Buchanan at mbuchanan@chepinc.org. Applications for this course will not be considered complete without submission of this letter.

To register for the EMT-T Advanced Course, visiit the CONTOMS/CHEP website.

Re-Registration

Re-Registration Policies and Procedures

Student Selection: The CONTOMS EMT-T re-registration is awarded every three (3) years upon completion of the required continuing education, submission of the required documentation. Re-registration provides the EMT-T graduate with documentation of current practice status in TEMS and access to the Graduate section of the website containing additional training materials and ongoing updates from the CONTOMS Program.

Pre-requisites and Requirements:

Section 1: Continuing Tactical Education is 72 hours of tactical education and training, and approved by the Team Commander. It may be conducted by the supported agency, other bona fide law enforcement agency, commercial training program, or official training academy. Examples include:

• Tactical Movement

• Weapon System Safety

• Defensive Tactics

• Use of Force

Section 2: Continuing Tactical Medical Education is 36 hours of continuing medical education that is applicable to TEMS, as approved by the Medical Director. It may be conducted by the Medical Director, Training Officer of a bona fide EMS Agency, approved commercial training program, or approved medical conference. Examples include:

• Preventive Medicine

• Environmental Injuries

• Medical Pre-Plan

Re-registration Process:

Applicants will need to submit documentation to demonstrate Continuing Tactical Education (72 hours) and Continuing Tactical Medical Education (36 hours) during the previous 2 years. Applicants should also submit documentation of their previous EMT-T certification, current provider certification/licensure, and a letter of current affiliation with a special response team.

Applicants must (1) submit a copy of their most recent EMT-T card or certificate; (2) their EMT-T class number and/or dates.

The documentation should be digitally scanned and sent at the time of re-registration via e-mail to Melody Buchanan mbuchanan@chepinc.org. Applications for re-registration will not be considered complete without submission of this documentation.

Last updated: October 13, 2019

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