Mission First: An Overview of Protective Medicine of EMS Clinicians

EMS clinicians may encounter protective medicine personnel during standby events for dignitary visits or emergency response situations. Protective medicine is a highly specialized healthcare field that integrates emergency, tactical, and operational medicine with travel and expedition medicine aspects. Its primary purpose is to safeguard high-profile individuals' health, safety, and well-being, enabling them to carry out their duties effectively. Protective medicine is tailored to the unique medical needs of the protectee and emphasizes readiness to address emergencies, medical threats, and unforeseen scenarios. This readiness is achieved through thorough preparation, planning, and established protocols. This session will introduce the principles of protective medicine, outline the process of conducting a medical threat assessment, and explore the strategies and approaches used. Gaining insights into the comprehensive medical support for dignitary operations and the awareness of protective medicine will enable EMS clinicians to operate more effectively in these distinctive settings.