Millennial First Responder Training in an Environment of Elevated Civilian Terrorism

Pending Publication:  I co-authored this article and would love to know your thoughts on the topic.

Abstract:

In recent years, terrorist type acts seem to be at a new high. Attacks are more violent and frequently supported by access to global technology and advanced weaponry. This paper discusses why millennial first responders should have outcome-based training to effectively make important decisions in evaluating hazards and risks in today’s terroristic environment. It reasons how the military have statistically proven that training geared towards the millennial can minimize battle field deaths through customized medical training using informatics technology.  A systematic approach to modernized learning of appropriate tactical medical techniques, coordinated planning, and readily available up-to-date informatics technology will prepare first responders for today’s globally driven violent environment. 

Discussion:

Allison Parker and Adam Ward killed on Air August 25, 2015 (WDBJ-WV)

…… Though widely appreciated within the military organizations of our allies and partners in the war on global terrorism, civilian EMS had been slow to embrace the military standards and changes to training methodology and the cost-benefit of incorporating them into civilian pre hospital care within the continental United States until recently.

…… Our current EMS programs are lagging behind the criminal elements that are more technologically advanced. Of those EMS systems surveyed, the majority said their respective organizations had not made specific plans to accommodate the learning differences of the millennial team members, nor has the tactical medical training been updated to include advanced digital technology.

…… With availability of persuasive social networks coupled with the rapid advancement of mass communication, the risks and responsibility of EMS and other first responders will continue to grow exponentially here in the continental United States.

…… Though widely appreciated within the military organizations of our allies and partners in the war on global terror, civilian EMS had been slow to embrace the military concepts and incorporate them into civilian pre-hospital care within the United States. The old philosophy of no-change-needed, compounded by the current significant budgetary constraints, has kept our antiquated emergency response system slow to react to modern times.

…… As difficult as it was for the military to collect casualty data despite uniform standard operating procedures and relatively low casualty numbers in comparison to the civilian environment, its success far out reaches that of the civilian world in providing data analysis. Such information ultimately drives evidence based decision making and best practice development. Additionally, the Army has seen a cost savings through use of smart phones, tablets and applications to make information field available.

 Question:

Is it time to make a change in our civilian first responder training programs to offer these young first responders contemporary training methods and life saving tools/skills?