Abstract
Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) is a broadly excepted and growing field of study. This article discusses the history and evolution of TEMS as well as its continued growth in both the law enforcement and medical fields.
My successes are not my own. The way to them was prepared by others. Therefore the meaning of my life is not to be looked for merely in the sum total of my own achievements. It is seen only in the complete integration of my achievements and failures with the achievements and failures of my own generation, and society, and time. - Thomas Merton
Many persons past and present have contributed to the genesis and evolution of Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS).1 Two deserve special mention: John Kolman and David Rasumoff. Captain John Kolman (Ret, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department) was one of the first Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commanders in the United States, and was a driving force for SWAT professionalism for decades. He is the founder and first Director of the National Tactical Officer's Association (NTOA). He had the vision and leadership to first formalize the incorporation of medical support to SWAT teams, and through the NTOA, lead in the development, expansion, and export of TEMS to the rest of the global tactical community. Commander (Res) David Rasumoff, formerly of the Emergency Services Detail of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and cofounder and pioneer in the field of TEMS, was a friend to all. He suffered an untimely and unexpected death and left a huge void in the TEMS community. Both John and Dave gave of themselves unselfishly and without personal reward throughout the years in order to improve the health and safety of our tactical teams and the public.
Since its formal inception in 1989-1990, 2 TEMS has evolved from isolated, disparate practices to an internationally unified body of information, with medical operators who are linked via various professional organizations and publications. It has taken nearly 15 years for TEMS to be widely accepted and routinely incorporated into tactical teams' standard operating procedures (SOPs).3 However, the journey is far from over. In fact, because of the dynamic nature of our practice, the environment, and new tactical and medical technology, the evolution will continue long after our careers have ended.