Special Ops and Disaster Medicine Branch
The Special Operations and Disaster Medicine Branch works to advance evidence-based medical practice in technically specialized areas of out-of hospital medicine. These include dive rescue/hyperbaric, tactical/operational, heavy urban rescue, hazardous materials, and disaster/mass casualty medicine. The branch provides support both for patients and emergency responders.
Dive Rescue:
The Milwaukee Fire Department's Dive Rescue Team performs search and rescue operations on and below the surface of the various waterways in the region. Emergency Medicine physicians support the Dive Rescue Team by assisting in development of medical policies and protocols, and by offering an on-scene physician capability when needed.
Tactical Medicine:
Tactical medicine is the field of out-of-hospital medical support for law enforcement and military operations. This unique area of EMS blends emergency medicine, primary care, occupational/preventive medicine, and public health. Several faculty in the Special Operations and Disaster Medicine Branch serve as tactical physicians, providing field medical support for a number of local and federal law enforcement agencies. In addition, the Section provides the Medical Director for the Tactical EMS Program of the Milwaukee Fire and Police Departments.
Heavy Urban Rescue:
Heavy urban rescue involves the rescue of persons trapped in building collapses, confined spaces, or high angle locations. The Branch provides medical support to the Milwaukee Fire Department's Heavy Urban Rescue Team (HURT). Physician support includes review of medical procedures, as well as the potential for an on-scene presence.
Hazardous Materials:
Hazardous materials are chemical, biological, or radiological substances that have the potential to contaminate and cause harm to people. The field of hazardous materials management seeks to contain, identify, remove, and neutralize such dangerous substances. Medical management of hazardous materials victims is provided by members of the Department of Emergency Medicine.
Center for Medical Incident Management and Preparedness (MIMAP):
The mission of MIMAP is to provide coordinated, collaborative leadership in education, scientific discovery, and patient care for the preparation and response to large scale incidents causing illness and injury to the community.
MIMAP works to coordinate disaster patient care response (medical incident management) and preparedness within the Medical College of Wisconsin and its Milwaukee Regional Medical Center partners. MIMAP also assembles multi-disciplinary expertise of the Medical College of Wisconsin faculty for advancing the science of disaster medicine. Through this coordination and expertise, MIMAP also creates and grows preparedness partnerships with public health, healthcare organizations, governmental agencies, and community organizations at the local, state, and national levels.
Froedtert Hospital Physician Liaison:
Faculty members from the Department of Emergency Medicine serve as physician representatives on the Froedtert Hospital Emergency Management Council. This group consists of representatives from a number of hospital departments who meet regularly to integrate the hospital's emergency management planning and response. Activities of the Council include conducting facility hazard vulnerability analyses, developing emergency plans, exercise and drill planning, and employee safety education.
Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) Physician Liaison:
Section members serve on the Steering Committee for the Milwaukee Metropolitan Medical Response System. The MMRS program is a federal program created in 1996 to support large urban areas in developing their capabilities to provide medical care after mass casualty events. Under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Homeland Security, the MMRS provides funding to develop plans, conduct training and exercises, and acquire pharmaceuticals and personal protective equipment. MMRS helps to build collaboration between hospitals and public health, emergency responder, and private agencies throughout the community.
Wisconsin Hospital Emergency Preparedness Program (WHEPP) Region 7 Physician Liaison:
The WHEPP Region 7 (Southeastern Wisconsin) coordinates the disaster preparedness activities of hospitals and outpatient centers in the nine counties in the southeast corner of the state. The region contains a population of approximately 2.1 million people. The Region 7 Board of Directors is a broad, multi-disciplinary group that consists of representatives from area hospitals, community health centers, EMS agencies, public health agencies, emergency government, and private community service agencies. Region 7 has sponsored numerous disaster drills and exercises, and has allocated funding for hospitals and clinics to purchase needed equipment. Region 7 also oversaw the creation of WI Trac, a state-wide Internet-based system allowing hospitals, public health, and emergency services to communicate with each other in real-time. A Department of Emergency Medicine physician serves on the Board of Directors, and several faculty serve as technical advisors to the Board.
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Physician Liaison:
The Branch also provides physician leadership for the emergency preparedness activities at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. Responsibilities include the development of emergency plans and policies, exercise planning, and integration with other agency and organizational planning.