MISSION

The primary mission of the Medical Unit is to provide trained medical personnel in support of Search and Rescue and other Sheriff's Department operations.

Medical personnel respond in on-road and off-road environments using a variety of field vehicles (medical service vehicle, 4 x 4 utility and 4 x 4 quads) to provide basic life support (BLS) pre-hospital emergency care to injured victims or rescue workers. The Medical Unit also provides stand-by/special event medical services to other bureaus within the Sheriff's Department at their request. The Medical Unit provides update, refresher and continuing education training for Search and Rescue personnel.

LEVELS OF PARTICIPATIONS

There are currently three levels of participation within the Medical Unit:

• Reserve Deputy- Reserve Deputies are sworn reserve peace officers. Medical Unit Reserve Deputies provide field medical support (pre-hospital emergency care and basic life support) and limited law enforcement services during Search and Rescue and other Sheriff's Department operations. Reserve Deputies may be called upon to provide additional law enforcement services at the direction of another Reserve Deputy or full time peace officer during other law enforcement operations. Reserve Deputies must successfully complete the Search and Rescue academy in addition to 832 PC reserve academy training.



• Rescue Volunteer (RV)- Rescue Volunteers are non-sworn civilian employees. Medical Unit Rescue Volunteers provide field medical support (pre-hospital emergency care and basic life support) in support of Search and Rescue and other Sheriff's Department operations. Rescue Volunteers must successfully complete the Search and Rescue academy.



• Civilian Volunteer (CV)- Civilian Volunteers are non-sworn civilian employees. Medical Unit Civilian Volunteers provide base camp medical support (pre-hospital emergency care and basic life support) in support of Search and Rescue and other Sheriff's Department operations. Because Civilian Volunteers do not attend the Search and Rescue academy, they are not field qualified. Civilian Volunteers must successfully complete the Medical Unit training program.

MEDICAL UNIT QUALIFICATIONS

The following qualifications are in addition to current Search and Rescue Bureau qualifications:

• Possess and maintain a current medical certification in one of the following:
  • Medical Doctor (MD)
  • Registered Nurse (RN)
  • Paramedic (EMT-P, WEMT-P)
  • Emergency Medical Technician (1A, FS, WEMT)


• Possess and maintain a current CPR card.

STANDARD OF CARE

Although the Medical Unit currently employs persons with Advanced Life Support (ALS) medical certifications, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department is classified as a Basic Life Support (BLS) medical provider within the County of San Diego. The Sheriff's Department is not a transporting agency. All treatment provided by the Medical Unit will be to the EMT-BLS standard of care, in accordance with County treatment guidelines and protocols.

EQUIPMENT

• Members of the Search and Rescue Medical Unit utilize medical equipment consistent with County Basic Life Support (BLS) protocols. Medical Unit personnel will typically respond with a medical response kit containing the following items (partial list):
  
  · Airway Management
  · Burn Management
  · Cervical-Spine Immobilization
  · Oxygen Delivery System
  · Patient Assessment
  · Portable Suction Device
  · Splinting
  · Trauma Management

VEHICLES

The Medical Unit utilizes various on and off-road vehicles to accomplish its primary mission.

• Medical Service Vehicle (MSV)- The MSV is a 1993 Ford/Wheeled Coach type 3 ambulance. The MSV provides a sheltered area for assessment and treatment of victims. The MSV also carries additional medical supplies (backboards, additional oxygen, patient litters, etc.) and equipment that would otherwise be too large or bulky to be transported in other vehicles.



• Chevrolet Suburban- The 2002 Chevrolet Suburban is a 4 x 4 utility vehicle that provides medical personnel better access to off road locations. The large cargo area allows medical personnel to respond with a significant amount of medical equipment.



• Polaris Quads- The Polaris 500 "Sportsman" 4 x 4 quads allow medical personnel to respond to remote off road locations with a medical response kit and traverse terrain that would otherwise be inaccessible to other vehicles.

SPECIAL OPERATIONS

At the request of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department - Off Road Enforcement Team, the Search and Rescue Medical Unit provides pre-hospital medical care and basic life support response for the Ocotillo Wells Off -Highway Vehicle Recreational Area located within the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park at the eastern edge of San Diego County.

During the off road desert season (Halloween through Easter), the popularity of recreational vehicle riding draws large numbers of people to the deserts of San Diego County. Unfortunately, the large crowds and high concentration of off-road riders stretches the resources of the local law enforcement and medical providers, especially during busy holiday weekends. In an effort improve public safety, the local public safety provider (California State Park Service) has invited the San Diego County Sheriff Department's Off-Road Enforcement Team and Search and Rescue Medical Unit to assist in providing law enforcement and medical services within the concurrent jurisdiction. The San Diego County Sheriff Department's ORET and SAR medical resources are a supplement to the services already provided by the California State Park Service, Ocotillo Wells Volunteer Fire Department, Imperial County Sheriff, Westshore Ambulance and Mercy Air.

The Search and Rescue Medical Unit is proud of its service to the residents and visitors of San Diego County and would like to continue the tradition of service for years to come.