Home » Palm Bay Fire Rescue Completes Swift Assisted Victim Extraction Training Program

Palm Bay Fire Rescue Completes Swift Assisted Victim Extraction Training Program

By  //  July 19, 2023

PUBLIC SERVICE SPOTLIGHT

Members of Palm Bay Fire Rescue recently completed a training exercise called Swift Assisted Victim Extraction, which combines law enforcement and fire department personnel into a Rescue Task Force that can rapidly assess, treat, and extract critically wounded victims in an active shooter situation. (PBFR image)

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – Members of Palm Bay Fire Rescue recently completed Swift Assisted Victim Extraction, a training exercise which combines law enforcement and fire department personnel into a Rescue Task Force that can rapidly assess, treat, and extract critically wounded victims in an active shooter situation.

Palm Bay Fire Rescue recently took this program, developed by Survival Option Services, and adapted it to work for the agency.

“The entire department completed a two-part training that included one day of classroom instruction and one day of practical scenarios with hands-on training at Pineapple Cove Classical Academy,” said Palm Bay Fire Rescue officials.

Palm Bay Fire Rescue and the Palm Bay Police Department worked together to develop the overall concept and practices that was utilized so both agencies could work together in the rapid treatment and removal of patients during an active shooter event.

Many other agencies in Florida have trained under the same model, using consistent terminology, tactical approaches, and equipment is integral to a cohesive, unified response.

The S.A.V.E. team is comprised of four members of law enforcement and three members of Palm Bay Fire Rescue. Once the shooter has been contained, captured, or neutralized, and an area has been deemed semi-safe to enter (or declared a “warm zone”), the S.A.V.E team is dispatched to enter the building and rescue victims. (PBFR image)

The S.A.V.E. team is comprised of four members of law enforcement and three members of Palm Bay Fire Rescue.

Once the shooter has been contained, captured, or neutralized, and an area has been deemed semi-safe to enter (or declared a “warm zone”), the S.A.V.E team is dispatched to enter the building and rescue victims.

Their main focus is to provide swift basic medical attention, primarily to manage uncontrolled bleeding, with the ultimate objective of promptly transporting the patient to a trauma facility for definitive care.

Equipment will be carried on district chief vehicles, with enough to fully equip two S.A.V.E. teams and treat 150 victims.

The primary role of law enforcement members assigned to these teams is not to pursue suspects or conduct extensive room-clearing activities but to provide protection to medical personnel.

This allows the medical teams to feel safe and concentrate on treating and preparing patients to be removed from the building without constantly needing to be on guard.

“Palm Bay Fire Rescue continues to train regularly to ensure we are operating in the safest and most efficient way possible,” said Palm Bay Fire officials.

“This vital training ensures victims receive the medical care they need and that our first responders are protected in the process. Thank you to Pineapple Cove Classical Academy for allowing us to use their facility for this training.”

Members of Palm Bay Fire Rescue recently completed a training exercise called Swift Assisted Victim Extraction, which combines law enforcement and fire department personnel into a Rescue Task Force that can rapidly assess, treat, and extract critically wounded victims in an active shooter situation. (PBFR image)
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