To save lives in tactical and mass casualty incidents (MCI), EMS responders need to attend to and transport patients out of danger zones as quickly as possible. Speed is of the essence.
Based on personal experience, Chief Joe Pulvermacher of the Fitchburg Fire Department in Wisconsin started thinking of ways to safely and quickly extract victims from dangerous hostile environments. He took his ideas to Graham Medical, and together they developed the Tactical MegaMover®.
Modified Responses to Active Shooter and Tactical Mass Casualty Incidents
The traditional practice of having EMS personnel wait in safe zones until the SWAT team declares the area clear inevitably meant survival rates were lower. With traumatic injuries, it's essential to extract patients quickly, stop the bleeding and stabilize them as soon as possible. This means EMS persons must enter areas still considered warm zones that pose a danger to victims and EMS personnel alike.
Limitations Posed by Existing Equipment
Portable collapsible stretchers are the most practical solution for extracting victims from MCI. However, existing designs were developed for general use and are not as suitable for fluid tactical situations for several reasons, including:
Chief Pulvermacher's Vision
Although Chief Pulvermacher was enthusiastic about MegaMover® products, having used them regularly, he realized they weren't ideal for active shooter incidents. Having experience of two active shooter incidents, the Comfort Suite Motel attack in 2004 and the Sikh Temple incident in 2012, Chief Pulvermacher prioritized his requirements as follows:
He had approached several manufacturers, but finding little interest turned to Graham Medical for help. The company enthusiastically responded, and working together, they developed a solution, in just two years, that met and exceeded Chief Pulvermacher's expectations.
Key Features of The Tactical MegaMover®
The design of the Tactical MegaMover® is quite different from existing portable stretchers, resulting in a compact, lightweight solution that's extremely effective. Key features include:
Contact us at Graham Medical to find out more and obtain a brochure on the Tactical MegaMover®. You can also see it at the 2018 EMS World Expo in Nashville, booth 606.