Members of the University of Louisville School of Medicine’s (ULSOM) Pre-Hospital and Disaster Medicine Interest Group recently participated in a unique tactical medicine training led by the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD), gaining hands-on experience in life-saving techniques used during high-risk emergency situations.

Throughout the immersive training, students were introduced to the complex and rapid decision-making required of law enforcement officers during unpredictable and potentially dangerous incidents. Without standardized triage guidelines for such scenarios, police officers must evaluate each situation individually to determine when and how to deliver emergency care. These interventions from police officers are life-saving measures while awaiting the arrival of emergency medical services (EMS), contributing to the improvement of patient outcomes.

Students had the opportunity to refresh their Stop the Bleed skills, including proper self-application of various tourniquets. Additional training also included wound packing on lifelike models with simulated injuries and blood, application of chest seals for sucking chest wounds, and a simulated scenario with a mannequin with multiple penetrating injuries to assess and stabilize.

“This training helped me become a better colleague and team member by deepening my understanding of the critical role our police officers have in patient care,” shared Bryn Vance, third-year medical student and program director for the Pre-Hospital and Disaster Medicine Interest Group. “I also have a better understanding of the limitations of what can be done in a pre-hospital setting due to scene safety, as well as the level of training of those providing care on scene."

At the conclusion of the tactical medicine experience, students were tasked with a simulated scenario in which they had to walk into a dark room with flashing lights and loud music. Within five minutes, each pair of students were required to assess and stabilize any injuries with a small medical kit, using whatever light source available and their hands to sweep the patient for any injuries or bleeding. While the medical skills are practiced in the classroom, the task is much more difficult when placed in a highly stimulating and challenging environment.

“The Pre-Hospital and Disaster Medicine Interest Group was a student lead initiative that was restarted as a response to the tragic 2023 shooting at the Old National Bank,” explained Dr. Aaron Kuzel, faculty advisor and assistant professor of emergency medicine. “We wanted to help students feel prepared to respond if they were ever involved in a mass casualty incident. We also brought back the Disaster Medicine Certificate, and the LMPD tactical medicine training was the final requirement, meaning the first group of students will be receiving the certification.”

In recognition of National Trauma Awareness Month, the School of Medicine recognizes the importance of physicians who understand what it takes to provide care in the most challenging emergency situations. The training with LMPD reinforces ULSOM’s goal of training well-prepared physicians across all specialties.

Congratulations to the students who completed their Disaster Medicine Certificate!