ABOUT NCTMA
THE NORTH CAROLINA TACTICAL MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION
NCTMA is a fledgling
organization, founded to address the needs of the numerous personnel
involved in tactical medicine throughout North Carolina and the
surrounding areas. These include EMS personnel providing medical
support to the tactical teams of local, state, and federal law
enforcement agencies, military special forces medics, private and
community college-based training organizations, and businesses that
manufacture and market the medical and tactical gear that are
essential to the endeavor.
Many, if not most, providers
of tactical medicine operate in a relative vacuum consisting of
their own agency and tactical team and have little contact with
other providers of this unique form of medicine. While each
tactical team and medical support program is unique, there are
common challenges that arise. These are not new, and likely have
already been addressed in a number of ways by other teams. Unique or
innovative solutions that work well should be shared. Further,
all tactical medical providers (from the first aid level
tactical operator to experienced paramedics to physicians) must
constantly work to hone both their medical and tactical skills.
Specialized tactical medical training is difficult to find, is often
expensive and time consuming, and frequently involves travel out of
state. Lastly tactical medicine is a specialized field, to which
standard EMS protocols, rules, and laws do not readily apply.
Administrative and legislative solutions that allow for specialized
care protocols, medical oversight
by knowledgeable tactical physicians, and laws that
provide protection against litigation require action at
the state level.
What will NCTMA
do?
NCTMA will provide a means
of communication and support for the advancement of
tactical medicine in North Carolina and the surrounding
region. Through this organization, the many providers and
supporters of tactical medicine will find a means of not
"reinventing the wheel" when they face organizational and
operational challenges.
Members will be able to
communicate and disseminate information through
the web site and newsletter.
A secure
area to share protocols, MOUs, equipment lists,
and other sensitive documents with other
members.
Specialized
resources will be made available to members, such as
templates for team health databases, medical support logs /
records, clandestine drug lab medical reference cards, NC
hospital and tactical team information, and other
items.
NCTMA will coordinate and
provide high quality continuing education and
training by experts in tactical medicine and tactical
operations at the lowest possible cost, in locations that are
accessible to all members.
NCTMA will provide a
unified voice and approach to
address administrative and legislative
issues at the state level, including coordinating with
the NC State Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS), the NC
College of Emergency Physicians (NCCEP), and the NC Legislature.
Membership: Membership
in NCTMA is open to all personnel involved in the provision,
development, and support of tactical medicine. This includes
medical providers (at any level), tactical operators, military
personnel, EMS and law enforcement supervisors /
administrators, and others involved in the development and
support of tactical medicine.
Individual Membership $20 /
year (Physicians $50 / year)
Team
Membership $50 / year (up to 5 team members),
or
$10 / year per person (6 or more team members)
(Note: Membership fees subject to change pending
determination of budget needs)
Sponsorship: Sponsorships are available to businesses and training organizations
that wish to support the development of NCTMA and tactical medicine
in North Carolina. Sponsors at the $250 per year level will
receive recognition in the newsletter and a link on the web
site. Sponsors at the $500 per year level will receive preferred
placement of business logos and advertising messages in newsletters
and training events. Businesses and training organizations may also
join NCTMA at the team membership rate. Download the
Sponsorship Brochure here.
Where will NCTMA go from
here? NCTMA has been founded by physicians who are
strong supporters of tactical medicine and who serve as field
providers as well as supervisors / medical directors of care
and instructors at tactical medical / tactical combat casualty care
(TCCC) training courses. However, we believe the organization should
be primarily run by and for the medic level providers who are the
backbone and main providers of tactical medicine in the field.
An interim Board of Directors has been selected to establish
bylaws, organize elections of officers, and perform other tasks.
Other members are need to coordinate this web site, newsletters, meetings,
training events, and membership. If you are interested in these
areas, contact us
today!
N
C T M A . N E T
ABOUT NCTMA