Key takeaways
- EMS staffing shortages are forcing law enforcement agencies to rethink how they handle emergency medical response. With ambulance delays increasing, some departments are looking for new ways to deliver lifesaving care when officers are injured in the field.
- The Milpitas Police Department developed a patrol vehicle equipped for officer emergency transport. This innovative “load and go” vehicle allows for rapid, medically supported transport when every second counts.
- The vehicle features a stretcher, trauma gear, oxygen and room for lifesaving aid to be rendered in transit. Officers also receive specialized training to safely use the vehicle and its equipment during critical incidents.
By Captain Tyler Jamison
Police vehicles are traditionally used to deter crime and respond to emergencies, but their potential to do so much more is often overlooked. Visibility and response are just the start — but imagine a police vehicle equipped to deliver lifesaving aid and immediate triage when seconds matter the most, especially when one of our own is critically injured in the line of duty. Over the years, we’ve refined our strategies and training and equipped our officers with the best tools available, but one area for improvement is the emergency transport of an injured officer from the scene to the hospital.
Responding to a critical EMS gap
The shortage of paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) nationwide has exacerbated the need to find alternative solutions to ambulance transports. The shortage has seen a nearly 20%–30% annual turnover involving 20,000 employees working at 258 EMS organizations. This shortage is due to various factors and has significantly impacted Santa Clara County, California. [1] With fewer paramedics available, ambulance response times have increased, potentially leaving the injured, including officers, without timely care. But when seconds matter the most, waiting for an ambulance could mean the difference between life and death — which was why we needed to find an alternative strategy to address this and get our officers the immediate care they need.
Studies indicate that rapid treatment following a traumatic injury is essential and cuts down mortality and morbidity rates significantly. [2] “With EMS struggling to maintain staffing levels, we had to come up with an innovative solution to maximize the chances of survival for officers critically injured in the field,” said Chief Jared Hernandez of the Milpitas Police Department. Traditionally, we’ve relied on a method known as “load and go” as an alternative to waiting for an ambulance. It’s exactly what it sounds like — get the officer into a patrol car and go. It’s fast and often the best option when time is of the essence. But here’s the problem: the backseat of a patrol car is not made for saving lives. It is made to transport suspects. And when an officer is critically wounded — bleeding, unconscious, or worse — that cramped, hard plastic compartment simply doesn’t cut it.
Building a vehicle with purpose
In pursuit of a better solution, the Milpitas Police Department developed a specialized patrol vehicle specifically designed for rapid, safe and medically supported “load and go” transports of officers critically wounded in the field. The “load and go” patrol vehicle is the first of its kind in Santa Clara County.
This isn’t just a standard police SUV with an upgraded first aid kit. This vehicle was purposely built with input from police officers, paramedics and officers trained in Tactical Emergency Medical Support. It features a custom interior layout that allows up to a 6’2” downed officer to be secured flat on a stretcher or soft litter. The custom-designed cabin allows transportation of up to two wounded officers side by side or one wounded officer with another officer administering life-saving aid en route to the trauma center.
The vehicle includes:
- A hard stretcher secured for safe transport and three soft litters
- Critical care supplies including trauma kits, oxygen tanks and automated external defibrillators (AED)
- Rapid-access rear entry for quicker loading in chaotic or hostile environments
Plus all the other equipment you would find in a standard police car — minus the ability to transport a suspect.
This vehicle was funded through a process called capital outlay as a replacement for an aged-out patrol vehicle. Officers also receive training in patient handling, securing procedures and the use of this vehicle’s equipment, in addition to their periodic training in first aid and tactical casualty care. Once the vehicle came to fruition, the response from officers was overwhelmingly positive and reflected a strong sense that the department is investing in their safety and well-being.
Prioritizing officer survival
“Our first priority will always be the safety and survival of our officers,” said Chief Hernandez. “Every single one of them is part of our law enforcement family, and we owe it to them and their families at home to provide the absolute best in care when tragedy strikes.”
Deciding when to use this vehicle versus waiting for EMS will depend on a unique set of circumstances, but it will be a discretionary decision based on the totality of the situation, severity of the injuries and availability of staff to handle the ongoing event if it is still active. We just wanted to ensure we have it for that one time when it is needed.
This innovative approach, spearheaded by Chief Hernandez, aligns with his commitment to modernize and prioritize officer safety and wellness in his police department while echoing the commitment of law enforcement leaders nationwide who embrace creativity and innovation in modern policing. We have already identified minor changes in future designs, such as where to add mounting brackets and hinges, and changes to access and storage doors. We hope to see this model adopted by agencies across the country. Because when an officer is bleeding out in the street, the difference between life and death can come down to a few minutes — and what you’re riding in.
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Chief Jared Hernandez for his assistance in the preparation of this article. His insights and thoughtful contributions were essential in its development. We also extend our appreciation to Jason Inouye and the City of Milpitas Fleet for their excellent work in upfitting the vehicle featured in this article.
References
1. Staff, AAA. Congressional Letter on the EMS Workforce Shortage. American Ambulance Association, Oct. 4, 2021.
2. Holiel F, et al. The Impact of Time to Definitive Care on Patient Outcomes: Examining ‘Golden Hour’ Compliance and Its Effects on Mortality and Morbidity. International Journal of Innovative Research in Engineering & Multidisciplinary Physical Sciences, 8:3.
About the author
Tyler Jamison is a Police Captain with the Milpitas (California) Police Department and currently oversees the agency’s Field Services Division. He has over 19 years of law enforcement experience. He holds a master’s degree in criminology, law and society from UC Irvine, an executive certification in Management & Leadership from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business, and is a graduate of the California POST Command College.
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