Historically, law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel have viewed their roles as self-reliant. Recent acts of violence have forced first responders to realize that targeted attacks do not allow them to act independently. The emergency response community must act as one team to stop the threat and, at the same time, save as many lives as possible.
A Rescue Task Force is a team, or set of teams, that is deployed to provide care for the wounded during an ongoing ballistic or explosive threat. The teams treat, stabilize and remove the wounded under the protection of law enforcement. Rescue Task Force training will provide guidance on establishing a team and the tactics they use.
This is a paradigm shift for many fire and EMS personnel. However, the concept of a Rescue Task Force has been adopted by many agencies in Ohio and endorsed by:
- Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy
- State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire and Transportation Services (EMFTS Board)
- Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association
- Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police
- Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association
- Ohio Homeland Security
- Ohio State Highway Patrol
- Ohio Association of EMS
- Metropolitan Medical Response System
- Ohio Emergency Management Agency
This is a mobile class that will come to your department and train all first responders, not just law enforcement. Together we will assess the capabilities of the first responders and the best way to establish a Rescue Task Force for your jurisdiction.
This course will be scheduled regionally as requested. Hosting agencies will need to provide the space and audio/visual equipment. The course cost will be $400 per agency. To schedule this training, contact Micah Stoll at
micah.stoll@ohioattorneygeneral.gov.