By Bill Carey
EMS1
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A new training program has given Louisville police officers additional EMS skills to use if they are first on the scene of an EMS call by certifying them as EMTs.
All Louisville Metro police officers receive basic tactical medical training, but this advanced training allows officers to help treat people in various trauma scenarios, WHAS 11 reported.
Officer Todd Richardson produced the idea of having police officers certified as EMTs two years ago when he became a full-time health and safety officer.
“I saw the need for additional tactical medical training for our officers,” Richardson told WDRB. “We are the first on the scene so oftentimes, we have to secure the scene before EMS can get there.”
Richardson said that while the number of shootings has risen, the death rate is going down. He attributes that to more officers administering medical aid on the scene before EMS arrives.
Louisville has approximately 20 officers currently trained as EMTs.
Those officers are given additional equipment including an automated external defibrillator, a medical bag, oxygen and other items.
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