The Alameda Fire Department (AFD) is providing four Firefighter / Paramedics as “Tactical Medics” for the Police Department’s Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). These Tactical Medics will provide medical services for law enforcement special operations, enabling rapid care for injured officers and civilians.
The Alameda Police Department’s (APD) CIRT is a departmental resource designed to conduct search and arrest warrants, along with handling other high-risk operations outside of their normal police functions.
The four AFD Tactical Medics now respond to all CIRT operations. The team composition includes a Commander, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Liaison Officer, SWAT Operators, Scout Snipers, Crisis Negotiation Team, Tactical Medics and Tactical Dispatchers.
Fire Chief Michael D’Orazi said, “The Alameda Fire Department is honored to partner with Alameda Police on this critical public safety program. We are proud of our four firefighters who worked diligently to be accepted as part of the CIRT team “.
APD CIRT Commander, Lieutenant Lance Leibnitz added, ”The Tactical Medics program is becoming an industry standard among tactical law enforcement teams. The Alameda Police Department is very excited to work with Alameda Fire and get this critical program implemented”.
Along with 224 hours of initial training, these AFD Firefighter / Paramedics will attend 10-hours of monthly CIRT training with the APD Officers.
