Co-Sponsorship Memo Details

In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that would add Tactical EMS providers to the definition of emergency service responders and emergency vehicles.

EMS personnel who are members of a tactical team are specially trained and certified EMS providers that provide direct support to law enforcement in dangerous situations to afford a rapid and safe EMS response if a person becomes ill or injured during a tactical law enforcement operation.

These EMS personnel are highly trained “tactical” paramedics that dedicate their time to assist in tactical law enforcement incidents like active shooter incidents, hostage situations, high risk warrant service, and barricaded individuals.

Even in their capacity as a tactical EMS provider, they currently are unable to utilize flashing lights when using their private vehicles to respond to incidents that greatly threaten the public’s health and safety while adding critical minutes to their response time.

I am proposing to add them to the definitions under Title 75 of the Vehicle Code to include a certified tactical EMS provider who is affiliated with and directly supports a county or regional municipal Special Emergency Response Team or a PA State Police Special Emergency Response Team. The inclusion of these very important emergency responders in the definitions will allow these tactical EMS providers to utilize emergency vehicle lights that provide added safety while providing for the ability to rapidly respond to an incident in progress.

I hope you will consider joining me in support of this legislation.