Austin-Travis County EMS 2023 Annual Report

Spec OPS Rescue finding all the best views in all the weird places

Industrial Rope tech

The rescue section of the Special Operations Division delivers advanced, comprehensive, life-saving patient care to the sick and injured in austere and hazardous environments anytime, anyplace. To accomplish this mission, the Rescue team is made up of skilled paramedics who are trained in multiple rescue disciplines such as still-water, swift-water, technical/rope, confined spaces, and wilderness rescue. The Rescue team also supports HAZMAT operations and most recently has added Infectious Disease Response to its mission. Rescue added eight new members to the team. This included three

rescuers that will complete their ALS credentialing while partnering with a Rescue System Qualified trainer (Captain or FTO). Over the course of the year, over 2,000 hours of training were completed through additional monthly training scenarios and evolutions to cover each of the modalities. The rescue team co-led training with Austin Fire Department Special Operations Battalions to multiply efforts and streamline mission goals when dispatched on complicated scenes together. This training is attended by the members when on duty which makes it a challenge due to the high call volume of the system.

Often times, team members attend training courses or competitions out of town. Sometimes these are financially supported by the Department but often times team members attend at their own expense. In 2023, a team comprised of one Rescue Captain and two Rescue Clinical Specialists, travelled to New York City to attend the FDNY Search & Rescue Field Medicine Symposium and compete in the Rescue Competition. This event provided professional growth and networking opportunities.

In 2023 special operations rescue responded to 264 events

From ropes to boats, ATCEMS spec ops teams are ready

Flood Water training

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