In 2014, MDERS convened a Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) workgroup to support the development of the TECC capability in the Maryland National Capital Region. TECC serves as a set of best practice treatment guidelines for trauma care in an austere environment. This capability was initially designed to provide law enforcement officers with the training and supplies to treat specific injury patterns on themselves or other law enforcement officers while EMS was enroute to the scene. Following the training and initial deployment of these supplies and capability, an unintended, yet positive outcome was that law enforcement officers were utilizing this capability to provide treatment to the general public more so than themselves and other officers while waiting for medical assistance. Starting with self- and buddy- treatment among law enforcement officers, this capability quickly expanded to include the treatment of civilians. Emergency medical services and hospitals were also provided with the tools and knowledge to continue caring for these wound patterns.

PATC allows civilians to treat each other with necessary supplies during the critical time period between injury and arrival of public safety or other medical professionals. Treatment of civilians by civilians is critical in treating time-sensitive injuries such as extremity bleeding, compromised airways, sucking chest wounds, and hypothermia, all of which could prove fatal prior to the intervention of public safety or other medical professionals.

For more information please contact Lauren Collins at Lauren.Collins1@Maryland.gov