EMS Defensive Strategies
The EMS Defense Strategies course is meant to teach the participant to recognize a potentially harmful or violent situation, and act accordingly. The actions can range from utilizing law enforcement as a tool to avoid bad situations; situational awareness to de-escalate or avoid harmful situations; and the necessary physical skills to defend themselves, their EMS team, and possible other bystanders. Use of Force principles will be taught to protect all involved.
The course consists of lecture and skill stations for each participant to learn different methods in dealing with potentially harmful and violent encounters.
The course is 4 hours in length with 2 hours for Lecture and 2 hours for Practical skills stations.
Successful completion of this course awards a NJ EMT with 3 CEUs.
Class Overview:
The General Duty Clause from the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, requires all employers to provide a work environment “free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm.”
In EMS, it is much more difficult to provide a work environment that is free from recognized hazards, than it is in an office or corporate environment. That is why it is so important to train EMS personnel in techniques that will allow them to avoid, deter, or de-escalate potential violent situations, and if all else fails, how to properly protect themselves and their EMS Team.
Workplace violence is a recognized hazard within the healthcare industry, and as such, employers have the responsibility under the Act to abate the hazard.
Violence in the workplace leads to many days absent by the victim, lower productivity, and lower job satisfaction. It can also be an economic nightmare for the employer, when calculating in short and long-term disability, increases in workman’s compensation, lawsuits, and costs in hiring and training replacement staff when a victim is out on disability or quits.
In the ever changing environment that we all now live in, EMS personnel are on the front line of many types of calls that were not as common a generation ago. It is the duty of all, to make sure that we provide all EMS personnel with the appropriate tools to not only help a patient, but to help themselves and their team.
To schedule this class, please contact: [email protected]
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